In this talk, Lisa Bodell tackles a truth many leaders feel but seldom say out loud: Expectations have multiplied, clarity has disappeared, and leaders are being asked to do everything for everyone – at the expense of real performance.
The urgent work of transforming organizations amid unprecedented change can’t happen if leaders have to navigate systems so complex and contradictory that even the best of them are burning out. We tell them to be bold, then drown them in process. We demand fast decisions, but require consensus. We celebrate courage, only when it’s comfortable. This isn’t leadership; it’s performance art.
The pendulum swung from command and control to endless accommodation – creating an impossible situation for leaders that won’t get organizations to the future fast enough. Lisa lays out a refreshing balance for leaders – the kind that pairs support with standards, empathy with performance, and humanity with results. When leaders are empowered to lead boldly, they don’t just elevate themselves – they elevate everyone around them.
It’s time to burn down the models that no longer work – and finally let leaders lead. “The future belongs to unapologetic leaders who prioritize clarity over complexity, purpose over politics, and action over appearance,” she says.
Key Takeaways:
• Inspires leaders to lead with clarity, boldness, and simplicity
• Understand why leadership feels impossible—and how to fix it
• Real-world stories of leaders who simplified, clarified, and took back control
• How clarity, focus, and boundaries lead to higher performance and engagement
• Practical shifts that drive productivity gains and execution speed
• Tactical tools to cut through noise and lead with focus
• The permission to stop performing and start actually leading