Reclaiming the human edge in an AI-driven workplace

Guess what’s topping the World Economic Forum’s 2030 skills list? Not spreadsheets, not the metaverse or VR headsets. It’s creativity. The catch? Most of us have quietly let it slip away, traded for a full inbox and an ever-growing to-do list.

So what happened? 

Remember that kid who could turn any corner into a possibility and make an adventure out of every chance? That wasn’t about being child-ish, it was about being child-like. Naturally imaginative, curious, and ready to reinvent with ease. Adults? We’ve built layers of filters, self-doubt, and organisational brick walls that slow creativity to a crawl. It’s high time we hit pause, listen to our old creative friend and rekindle those skills we left behind.

In the whirlwind of automation and AI taking over, the future of work is waving its hands desperately, shouting, "We need your creativity, like, yesterday!" It's not asking politely; it's practically on its knees. Creativity helps leaders navigate complexity, teams uncover fresh solutions, and organisations stay ahead of change. And here is the best bit: creativity isn’t one-size-fits-all. We each have our own creative intelligences, from storytelling to problem framing, from pattern spotting to visual thinking. Plural, not singular. That is what makes creative cultures so powerful, because everyone brings a different twist. 

Through stories, science and creative frameworks, this keynote equips people to reclaim creative confidence, embrace novelty and turn ideas into outcomes. By the end of the session, participants will see creativity not as “something extra” but something they already own, ready whenever the next challenge arrives, and with a smile on their face.

By the end participants will:

• Understand the science behind creativity and why it makes us uniquely human

• Recognise their own creative intelligences and how to bring them to life wherever fresh thinking is needed

• Apply creative thinking to both simple and complex challenges

• Build creative confidence to push boundaries and bring ideas into the world

• Identify and reduce organisational barriers that block creative flow

Target Audience
Leaders, managers, and teams who want to solve problems faster, adapt with confidence, and deliver bolder solutions. 

Delivery Formats
Keynote, half-day workshop, or full/multi day interactive program.

Training your eyes to see what others miss

Ever wonder what’s really going on around you? Are you the kind of curious cat who stops, explores, and takes in all the goodness life has to offer?

Curiosity is like your superhero cape, and the good news is that it’s available to anyone, anywhere, anytime. All it takes is a sprinkle of wonder and a dash of adventure and you’re good to go on a journey where the ordinary transforms into the remarkable.

The future belongs to the bold question-askers, the fearless explorers, and the daydreamers. Curiosity sparks discovery, customer centricity, and challenges the old ways of doing what’s always been done. These are the skills most in demand right now.

But how do you amp up your curiosity? Simple, it all starts with opening your eyes. When we do, we spot things others miss, things we didn’t even know were there. And that’s exciting.

Here’s the kicker: this isn’t a keynote like the ones you’ve seen before. You will develop your curiosity by embarking on an explorative quest into some of the most famous artworks of all time, digging into their hidden details, connections and stories. We’ll train our eyes to see the unseen, challenge paradigms, and uncover what usually speeds past us.

Grounded in neuroscience and inspired by Simon’s years as a lecturer at the National Gallery of England, this keynote fuses hard science with creative sparks, leaving audiences surprised, stretched and seeing the world differently.

Curious yet? You should be.

By the end participants will:

• Learn how to use visual intelligence to create new connections

• Discover how the neuroscience of curiosity leads to discovery

• Explore the crucial relationship between curiosity and critical thinking when solving complex problems

• Embrace curiosity as a foundation of lifelong learning and growth

• Shed the blinkers and paradigms that narrow thinking, and never look at a work of art the same way again

Target Audience
Leaders and teams who need to spark curiosity, uncover what’s possible and find opportunities hiding in plain sight. Particularly relevant for leaders & senior creatives/designers and who have ‘seen it all’ before! 

Delivery Formats
Keynote, half day interactive workshop 

Why better questions, not quick answers, power leadership in the age of AI.

The thinking that created today’s challenges won’t be the thinking that solves them. It’s crucial to challenge our biases and filters, let go of presumed knowledge and become comfortable in the grey areas of ambiguous scenarios, where multiple truths and correct answers coexist. 

That’s where Occupational Philosophy comes in: a practical way to bring timeless wisdom into the workplace. Inspired by the ancient question “How should we live?” this keynote reframes it for modern leaders: “How should we work?” This provides practical ways to navigate uncertainty, make thoughtful choices in complex environments, and stay human in the age of AI and rapid change.

Instead of rushing to answers, audiences will discover the value of ditching quick answers for better questions. Many modern challenges do not come with a single right solution. In ambiguous environments, Occupational Philosophy becomes a compass to help organisations balance competing truths and make human-centred decisions grounded in humility and curiosity.

Packed with interactive twists and thought experiments, this keynote springs from 110+ episodes of Simon’s hit podcast The Occupational Philosophers, fuelled by conversations with curious minds and global guests who know how to see the world differently and help us do the same. 

By the end participants will:

• Stay steady in environments when there’s no single right answer

• Shift from black-and-white thinking to navigating the in-between

• Make human-centred choices in a world shaped by AI and rapid change

• Gain a fresh point of view by reframing your questions

• Experiment with ideas daily and turn curiosity into a leadership strength

Target Audience
Leaders, managers and organisations facing complexity, rapid change, and the need for more innovative and ethical decision-making. Especially relevant for teams who must make sense of situations with more than one valid answer.

Delivery Formats
Keynote and half day workshop. 

Because innovation doesn’t start in a spreadsheet. It starts with your people.

Leading a continuous culture of innovation may seem daunting, but it does not have to be. You do not necessarily need to invest in bean bags, a ping pong table, or even set up a craft brewery in the lunchroom (unless that is your jam). Real innovation thrives in unexpected places, often in the small, everyday shifts that spark something bigger. Your organisation has potential itching to break free, and leadership is what brings it to life. Forget about being a leader of spreadsheets and Gantt charts; the true game changer has always been your people.

In his book A Thousand Little Lightbulbs, Simon Banks highlights that innovation is rarely about one breakthrough idea. It grows from many small sparks that build momentum, shift culture, and invite people to try, learn and grow. Organisations that nurture these everyday sparks create a steady flow of ideas that turn into progress and results. In this keynote, we also take a peek at what innovative companies are doing around the world, including those outside the usual suspects, proving that fresh ideas often come from the most surprising places.

This keynote is for those ready to spark and guide an innovative culture, unlock their organisation’s hidden powers, and ride the wave of constant “aha” moments that keep the progress train chugging along. (Whilst also delighting customers and smoking the competition).  All aboard the innovation express!

By the end participants will:

• Reframe innovation from a hard task into a daily habit

• Foster a culture where authenticity fuels collaboration and bold ideas

• Create environments where people thrive and market-leading ideas take shape

• Remove barriers that block innovation with cost-effective strategies that work

• Generate a flow of ideas and transform them into actions that drive change

Target audience

Executives and teams ready to trade stale playbooks and spreadsheets for a culture where innovation becomes second nature

Delivery Formats
Keynote and half to two day workshop. Often delivered as part of an Enterprise Leadership program