Leadership Trends 2026
The Human Advantage: Rediscover Leadership in a Disruptive Age
The Human Advantage: Rediscover Leadership in a Disruptive Age
What is the human advantage? What makes us truly irreplaceable? Is it empathy? Intuition? Courage? Or the capacity to imagine what no algorithm can? As disruption intensifies, leaders are making faster decisions – often with less meaning, less connection and less impact. Leadership now demands something different: presence over reactivity, judgement over automation, and the courage to lead humans, not just systems.
We invite you to join us to shift the conversation. Away from tools and metrics. Toward the human skills that machines can’t replicate. Through provocative speakers and unfiltered dialogue, we explore how presence outperforms busyness, why relational mastery is now a competitive advantage, and what it really takes to lead when certainty is gone.
We invite you to join us to shift the conversation. Away from tools and metrics. Toward the human skills that machines can’t replicate. Through provocative speakers and unfiltered dialogue, we explore how presence outperforms busyness, why relational mastery is now a competitive advantage, and what it really takes to lead when certainty is gone.
"The time away from work to reflect on leadership moving forward is helpful. Thanks for organizing this event."
Tang Lee Huat
Deputy Chief Executive & Group Director, CPFB
Breakfast Event 2026
Human Skills in a Machine-driven World
In a world racing toward automation, leadership is at risk of becoming mechanical, reactive, and hollow. What uniquely human capabilities must leaders cultivate to stay indispensable?
Relational Mastery as Strategic Advantage
When networks and interdependencies define outcomes, what relational skills separate flourishing teams from fragmented ones?
Presence over Busyness
In an age where speed is rewarded, how do leaders slow down long enough to make meaningful, high-impact decisions?
Courageous Imagination
When data and algorithms chart patterns, how do leaders envision what has never existed — and bring others along?
Decision Making with Depth
Faced with complex, fast-moving challenges, how do leaders balance instinct, information and intuition for better outcomes?
Keynote Speaker
Mickey Connolly
Chairman and Founder
Conversant Solutions LLC
For over 25 years Mr. Mickey Connolly and his colleagues have explored how communication impacts coordinated action and organisational culture. Working in global commercial companies, police departments, and military organisations has led to a conviction: any group can achieve more with less time, money, and stress if they apply the “communication for action” techniques.
Mickey has worked with over 100,000 managers, educators, and negotiators to resolve conflict, improve relationships, and accelerate achievement. Conversant associates have worked in 400 organizations in 90 countries to achieve mission-critical goals ahead of time and under budget.
Mickey has co-authored two business books, including The Vitality Imperative: how connected leaders and their teams achieve more with less time, money and stress and The Communication Catalyst: the fast (but not stupid) track to value.
Mickey has worked with over 100,000 managers, educators, and negotiators to resolve conflict, improve relationships, and accelerate achievement. Conversant associates have worked in 400 organizations in 90 countries to achieve mission-critical goals ahead of time and under budget.
Mickey has co-authored two business books, including The Vitality Imperative: how connected leaders and their teams achieve more with less time, money and stress and The Communication Catalyst: the fast (but not stupid) track to value.
Our Expert Panel
Fermin Diez
C-Suite Leader, Top HR Influencer, Board Director
With decades of experience across consulting, corporate leadership, and academia, Fermin has worked in more than 40 countries across all continents, advising organisations on strategic human capital and leadership challenges. He has held senior HR leadership roles as Head of HR for large multinational organisations in Asia Pacific and Latin America, and most recently served as Deputy CEO of the National Council of Social Service in Singapore, where he focused on building capability and capacity across the social service sector.
An Adjunct Professor of Human Resources at NUS and SMU, he has also taught at NTU and SUSS, and co-authored three books on human capital strategy, remuneration, and HR analytics. He regularly advises boards and C-suite leaders across the public and private sectors and is widely recognised as a leading HR voice in Asia.
An Adjunct Professor of Human Resources at NUS and SMU, he has also taught at NTU and SUSS, and co-authored three books on human capital strategy, remuneration, and HR analytics. He regularly advises boards and C-suite leaders across the public and private sectors and is widely recognised as a leading HR voice in Asia.
Audrey Joy Tan
Entrepreneur, CEO of The Moolah Group
Audrey Tan is a social entrepreneur working at the intersection of financial wellbeing, technology and social impact. She leads PlayMoolah's vision and partnerships with a focus on helping youth, families and communities build financial and emotional resilience, reaching more than 100,000 people globally in partnership with Singapore's National Youth Council. She co-developed the Financial Emotional Resilience (FER) framework, now applied to over 20% of Singapore's graduating cohort, and is expanding this work through the Wealth Resilience Institute. Audrey has supported more than 20 impact ventures across Asia Pacific and co-founded Purpose Led. She is an Edmund Hillary Fellow and NUS Outstanding Young Alumni Award recipient.
Ian Wong
Managing Director, United Overseas Bank Limited
Ian began his professional journey on an unexpected path, transitioning from an early interest in medicine to a global career in banking. He has held senior leadership roles with international financial institutions including Bank of America Merrill Lynch and HSBC, leading markets and enabling cross-border deals across Asia, Europe, and the United States.
He is currently Managing Director and Group Head, International Management at UOB, where he oversees international banking entities across 18 countries and territories, as well as the bank’s foreign direct investment advisory division. A certified master coach, Ian is a strong advocate for coaching and mentoring cultures that enable people and organisations to thrive with purpose. He regularly shares reflections on leadership, growth, and navigating complexity in today’s evolving business landscape.
He is currently Managing Director and Group Head, International Management at UOB, where he oversees international banking entities across 18 countries and territories, as well as the bank’s foreign direct investment advisory division. A certified master coach, Ian is a strong advocate for coaching and mentoring cultures that enable people and organisations to thrive with purpose. He regularly shares reflections on leadership, growth, and navigating complexity in today’s evolving business landscape.
Adrian Chong
Principal Consultant and
Organisational Psychologist
Adrian Chong is a master trainer and facilitator of leadership development for government organisations and international corporations up to C-suite level in the region. He is among a dozen elite professionals globally who have been personally trained by Dr Robert Cialdini to be a Cialdini Method Certified Trainer.
Adrian brings more than 30 years of experience in training, sales, general management and entrepreneurship to Erevna Leadership. In his last role, he had regional responsibilities and was a member of the senior leadership team in a financial institution.
With his experiences in leadership, education in psychology, and certification as a trainer, Adrian excels in team and organisational effectiveness. He specialises in helping individuals, teams and organisations achieve bottom-line results and become measurably more vital.
Adrian brings more than 30 years of experience in training, sales, general management and entrepreneurship to Erevna Leadership. In his last role, he had regional responsibilities and was a member of the senior leadership team in a financial institution.
With his experiences in leadership, education in psychology, and certification as a trainer, Adrian excels in team and organisational effectiveness. He specialises in helping individuals, teams and organisations achieve bottom-line results and become measurably more vital.
"The speakers are well versed on the topic and shared good insights"
James Tan
Chief Executive Officer, TOUCH Community Services
Don't just take our word for it...
Check out what others have to say about our past breakfast event!
Breakfast Event 2025
"Very thought provoking topics and discussion with some different views and perspectives. Thank you"
Natalie Tait
HR Leader, Bank of America
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