Let’s talk about trust; the firm belief in the reliability, truth or ability of someone or something. From my experience, trust is one of the most vital elements of any strong relationship and is key to ensuring it is a positive and mutually beneficial one.

The emergence of the internet combined with technology developments in areas like sensors including IOT, smart phones and social media has seen society rush head long into a hyper connected world together with an explosion of data, much of it personal.

The 4th Industrial Revolution is putting pressure on private and public sector organisations to adapt and transform in response to forces beyond their control. But many of those organisations are already stressed out, overworked and for many workers a place to endure rather than enjoy.

Gone are the days where ‘trust’ is assumed because the organisation has been well established for years. Gone are the days where ‘trust’ is given to the leader because they have the title or wear the badge ‘CEO’ or ‘boss’. Gone are the days where people will be invisible and work tirelessly at the bottom rung of the ladder, with very limited feedback, support and job interest, simply in hope that one day they may be noticed and be able to climb up to the next rung.

The situation was every leader’s worst nightmare: Archana Patchirajan, founder of an Indian technology startup, had to call her staff into a meeting and give them some devastating news. Due to a stark lack of funds, Archana would have to let them go. She could no longer afford to pay them.

Any experienced surfer knows how important it is to keep one eye fixed on the horizon. While a wave is still forming a long way off, that is the time to start paddling, to get into position and get ready. Leave it too long or fail to move at all, and you’ll be wiped out as the wave crashes upon you.

For small businesses, breeches can be hard to see from the outside. For corporations, breeches can be hard to see from the inside, as the recent Banking Royal Commission revealed.

World class musician and thought leader Mark Schulman shares one of his most potent formulas that he has incorporated into his daily life for many years - a key to success that has kept him in the forefront of the minds of some of the worlds most successfull entertainers and business leaders.

Katerina Kimmorley, founder of Pollinate Energy & the Innovation Fund is a Cleantech expert, Venture Capitalist, social entrepreneur and advocate for women changing the world.

Our team at Ovations give you recommendations for some of their most favourite speakers for 2019 - Innovators, movers and shakers, and speakers that struck an emotional chord with them.