Growth Faculty presents ‘In Conversation with Michelle Obama’ 

LeaderSHIFT 2026: Snapshot overview

Scaling Growth Through Teams

Leadership is shifting. Whether you lead teams, an organisation or simply want to lead yourself better - you should be across it.  

Five globally recognised thinkers took the stage at Growth Faculty’s LeaderSHIFT 2026 resulting in thousands of leaders seeing their work, their teams, and themselves differently. 

Here's a taste of what the room experienced. 

#### Esther Perel

Headline speaker [**Esther Perel**](https://www.estherperel.com/) (pictured with MC Holly Ransom) reframed leadership as “relational stewardship” - making the case that most workplace problems are relational problems in disguise – and that “soft skills are hardcore”. The renowned psychotherapist was warm, precise, and provocative, and she closed her session not with answers, but with three questions that left the room in quiet reflection: 

Who do you owe a thank you to? 

Who do you owe an apology to? 

What conversation do you wish you could have again? 

#### Michael Bunting

[**Michael Bunting**](https://triplegoal.com/team/) is the author of _The Mindful Leader_ and one of Australia's most respected voices on leadership culture.  

He opened the conference with a framework that hit close to home for many leaders: the difference between Green Zone behaviour (mindful, intentional) and Red Zone behaviour (reactive, fear-driven). His challenge to the room was simple and uncomfortable - when things are hard, don’t simply react – take time to respond and ask yourself: _What is my part in this?_ 

#### Ben Crowe

[**Ben Crowe**](https://mojocrowe.com/ben-crowe) - the mentor and performance coach behind some of Australia's most celebrated sporting careers - spoke about pressure, identity and what it really means to perform.  

He shared mindset muscle tricks such as the simple act of appreciation. Instead of saying “I’ve got to...” Ben urged leaders to try saying “I get to...”  “I get to go to work.” He challenged leaders to write a _To-Be_ list before their _To-Do_ list. _Who do you choose to be under pressure?_ 

#### Steve Martin

[**Steve Martin**](https://www.influenceatwork.com/cialdini-trainers/steve-martin/) delivered a masterclass in the science of influence - and why most leaders are getting it wrong. The author of _Influence at Work_ explained that a strong case does not necessarily sell a message.  Steve showed how _order, framing_ and the _credibility_ of the messenger shape outcomes far more than the quality of the argument.  

For anyone who has ever left a meeting wondering why a great idea didn't land, this session had answers. 

#### Dr Susan David

[**Susan David Ph.D**,](https://www.susandavid.com/) renowned author of _Emotional Agility_, closed the conference with her framework for leading people in uncertain times: 

**Show Up** - face your emotions with curiosity and kindness, rather than suppressing or avoiding them 

**Step Out** - observe your thoughts without judgment, so you can see situations more clearly 

**Walk Your Why** - connect to your core values and let them guide your decisions 

**Move On** - make small, deliberate changes that are rooted in what matters most to you 

A core message of Susan’s talk was that discomfort is not dysfunction. It is the price of admission to a meaningful life and to meaningful leadership. 

The through-line across all five speakers? The best leaders do the inner work first. 

LeaderSHIFT 2027 is already taking shape. If this year is anything to go by, you'll want to be in the room.

LeaderSHIFT 2026: Snapshot overview

Attendees learn that the best leaders do the inner work first

Keep informed
Stay Inspired

LeaderSHIFT 2026: Snapshot overview

Attendees learn that the best leaders do the inner work first

Keep informedStay Inspired

Keep informed
Stay Inspired