KEYNOTE SPEAKING 

 

 

Thinking the Unthinkable Presentation


“You were a great hit at the conference, and the clarity of the vision you articulated inspired the crowd...”


Thinking The Unthinkable is a rolling, ongoing, dynamic investigation into why leaders appear more unable or unwilling than ever to anticipate the scale of disruption and upheaval threatening all that they take for granted.  

 

Since 2014 these have included the new assertiveness of President Putin’s Russia, the rise of so-called ‘Islamic state’, Trump, Brexit, growing cyber-vulnerability, and now the global pandemic and the climate emergency.

 

Nik delivers a powerful and engaging speech which is always modified and up to date. He focuses on the human capacities to lead. His analysis is always inspiring and essential viewing for everyone who is leading in these challenging times. He wants leaders to believe they can adapt, survive and above all thrive in the new adversity. 

 

He always asks:

  • Why are current leadership behaviours and culture apparently not fit for purpose?
  • What are the causes of so many failures in policy and strategic forecasting?
  • Are they human frailties? Or are they systemic failures to embrace smartly new realities? 

Find out much more about Thinking The Unthinkable’s ongoing research and Nik’s thought leadership here.

 

Praise for Nik's speaking:

 

“We were all very grateful both for your “interview” and the presentation of TtU, both of which energised the participants and led to their citing you or your ideas almost incessantly thereafter. I believe the presentation jolted them somewhat into, indeed, thinking the unthinkable and drew them out of their sometimes cosy attitude to what needs to be done or, rather, how it needs to be done.”

- UN Global Sustainable Development Forum, South Korea, 2019

 

“It was great to hear you speak last night… I thought you raised lots of interesting points and I would love to continue the conversation around transformation in leading organisations”.

- Skills Matter, London, September 2019

 

“You pulled a legendary slot out of the bag this pm. Really very impressive.”

 

“You put others to shame. Well done!!!”

- Future Investment Intiative, 2019

 

"I thoroughly enjoyed your presentation and discussion. It was a rare gift of broad perspective, deep knowledge and critical thinking, and offered several points for further questioning and thought. I only regret it was not a couple of hours longer, followed by a deeper discussion. This would have been a real pleasure.......It is a precious opportunity to hear this broad perspective and questioning."

 

"Thank you again for our fantastic session. You’ve somehow manged to take the recent cacophony of extreme global events, and distil them down into a narrative that people can relate, act and apply to their corporate environment.

I overheard one participant, discussing over drinks, say something along the lines of “I’ve been in falling asleep in management meetings all week and then I came here tonight and WHAM! Now I’m finally thinking”

- IMD Business School, Lausanne, November 2017

 

"Thank you so much for your inspired presentation and discussion. It’s pretty difficult to exceed expectations when the expectations are as high as mine were for your presentation, but somehow you managed to do just that. You truly opened people's eyes and gave us a challenging way to think about our roles....thank you for setting the stage and providing the context for our discussions with a truly great opening. I look forward to future collaborations."
- 6th April 2017 in the Conrad Hotel, New York City

 

"Thank you for your outstanding keynote presentation yesterday. It was a terrific way to kick off the Forum and helped the entire group recalibrate their expectations for the day and indeed for the profession!" 
- CEO Airmic conference - November 2016

 

"I wanted to send my heartfelt thanks for being with us for the plenary at our recent conference in New York. You were a great hit at the conference, and the clarity of the vision you articulated inspired the crowd...and I am sure is now providing a source of inspiration as people consider the uncertain direction promised by election results.....Donald Trump's election has been such a great proof of concept for "Thinking the Unthinkable" and yet at the same time, I am deeply grateful that you are causing people to think differently about managing through our "interesting" times". 
- "Be Bold" Conference, New York City Nov 2016

 

 

 

Feedback

"Your contribution was outstanding and was a large part of what made it so successful. I cannot thank you enough for taking on the challenge and for turning it into such a success"

Contact

info@nikgowing.com

+44 020 37403640+44 020 37403640

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