The National Leadership Conference has come a long way.

From the full weekend of revelry and the (in)famous train to Killarney associated with the bygone Ivor Kenny years, the Conference had become something of an academic affair in recent years, with professional speakers, consultants and thought leaders offering a variety of insights and recommendations on the hot business trends of the day. All sessions were valuable, but few involved speakers at the coalface; in the cut-and-thrust of running a business; caught up in the messy reality of leading people, with all the challenges and responsibilities that come with being a leader.

That changed last year, and the 71^st version of the Conference last week solidified this shift.

Business leaders speaking to business leaders about messy realities, challenges and responsibilities. What keeps them up at night and gets them out of bed in the morning. While there was plenty of optimism, and a lot of laughter, this year’s conference speakers did not shy away from the economic uncertainty and geopolitical unrest we face.

The theme of this year’s conference was “Learn Today. Shape Tomorrow,” but anyone looking for easy answers left disappointed. This was a day for asking the tough questions. Of ourselves; of our people; and of the business reality leaders face. What got us here is unlikely to get us there.

With over 200 senior leaders in attendance, there was huge appetite eager to engage in discussions around navigating change and achieving strategic objectives. Survey feedback received during the event provided valuable insights into the current landscape of leadership challenges.

When asked about the impact of Budget 2025 on their organization’s capacity to navigate change, the responses were notably positive:

• 61% of attendees expressed optimism.
• 39% remained neutral.
• 0% reported a negative outlook.

This suggests a cautiously optimistic perspective among leaders, indicating many are ready to embrace the upcoming changes. Perhaps the future is a little more certain than we think!

The survey also revealed the most pressing leadership challenges facing organisations over the next 12 months. The results highlighted two key areas: “Keeping pace with innovation” and “attracting and retaining talent.” In response to these challenges, organizations are adapting in various ways: reskilling/upskilling (22%); more flexible working (22%); enhancing technology (18.5%); better overall benefits packages (16.7%)

These challenges underscore the technological disruption and tightening labour market organisations are facing, with the emphasis on reskilling and flexible work aligning with Lorna Conn’s point in the CEO panel discussion about attracting talent. This reflects a growing awareness that organizations must help their existing workforce adapt to changing market conditions, along with not only offering attractive packages but also the flexibility potential recruits seek.

IMI CEO Shane O’Sullivan’s opening address and the launch of the IMI Model of Leadership also tied into this discussion, reiterating the need to ‘reimagine high performance,’ focusing on creating an environment where employees can thrive. The necessity of embracing technology and ‘seizing the digital advantage’ is clearly a vital theme, as evidenced by the 18% of respondents who recognised the importance of ‘keeping pace with innovation.

The insights gained from the survey and discussions highlight a critical moment for leaders. As they navigate challenges related to talent and technology, there is a clear recognition of the need for innovation and adaptability. The conversations and reflections from the day will undoubtedly shape the strategies organisations employ in the coming year.

The National Leadership Conference is an IMI Corporate Membership Event. Find out more about Corporate Membership here.