Year in Review: The Thinkers Who Shaped 2025 

10 of the best business books to take you into 2026

Growth Faculty's 2026 Live Learning Program

What a year 2025 has been, and next year there’s even better to come!

One of our core values is “We Embrace Big” and we’re ambitious in our mission "Access to the World's Greatest Business Minds."

So, as we say a big thank you to our community of members, speakers, and supporters, let’s reflect on our learning and leadership development in 2025, and showcase some of the top speakers already lined up for 2026.

Scroll down for details!

We Embrace Big!

Every year we feature speakers whose impact on the global stage is unquestioned.   
  
This year our Global Headliners included _Good to Great_ author **Jim Collins**, _The Diary of a CEO_ podcast host **Steven Bartlett**, communication expert **Jefferson Fisher**, co-author of _No Rules Rules_ **Erin Meyer**, bestselling author **Patrick Lencioni**, and trust expert **Rachel Botsman.**

We also learned from **Kirstin Ferguson**, **Shannon Susko**, **Kylee Stone**, **Steve Martin**, **Andrea Clarke**, **Michael Bungay Stanier**, **Geoff Woods**, **Barbara Harvey**, **Dr Immaculate Motsi-Omoijiade**, **Sue Langley**, **Kylie Lewis**, **Tim Ryan**, **Mark Green**, **Katrina Filewood**, **Asma Gulbaz**, **Ian Judson**, **Robyne Hanley-Dafoe**, **Kevin Lawrence**, **David Brudenell**, **Deborah Keep**, **Dawid Naude**, **Tiffani Bova**, **Mita Mallick**, **John Spence**, **Robert Glazer** and more.

Inspiring speakers we featured in 2025

*   **Over 50,000** booked into our virtual events and masterclasses.
*   **100s of** **positive testimonials** received: _"The energy that you get from hearing from all of these top speakers…it does give you new ideas.”_ – Specsavers’ Henny Jaakkola  
    “_It gives you the flexibility and you can do it from anywhere.” –_ HBF’s Dana Sattler
*   **5 Global Headliners**: [Rachel Botsman](https://www.rachelbotsman.com/) (trust expert), [Jim Collins](https://www.jimcollins.com/) (originator of the Flywheel concept), [Erin Meyer](https://erinmeyer.com/) (co-author of _No Rules Rules_ with Reed Hastings of Netflix), [Patrick Lencioni](https://www.tablegroup.com/pat/) (organisational health expert), [Jefferson Fisher](https://www.jeffersonfisher.com/) (U.S. trial attorney and communication influencer)
*   **Over 35 masterclasses and book clubs** including 6 events on **the topic of AI**
*   **3 live events** – 2 in the US with Jim Collins and CultureCon™
*   **100s** **of inspired attendees** at CultureCon™ 2025:   
    _“I left feeling inspired and energised, with new perspectives and practical takeaways and I have already pencilled it in for my Leadership team next year. Highly recommended.”_   
    _“Great lineup of speakers and topics and love the 1-day format.”_ 
*   **5 stars and 4.8 rating** on Google reviews
*   **1 x huge year planned for 2026:** [In Conversation with Michelle Obama](https://thegrowthfaculty.com/articles/michelle-obama-in-australia), [LeaderSHIFT 2026](https://thegrowthfaculty.com/events/leadershift-from-survival-to-transformation/overview?sid=a0KRG00000NO7ES2A1) featuring Esther Perel, plus a whole lot more.

Growth Faculty – 2025 in numbers

In what must rank as one of the biggest highlights of our Global Headliner series for 2025, I invited **Jim Collins** to walk delegates through [THE MAP: Twelve Questions for Building a Great Company](https://www.jimcollins.com/tools/THE_MAP%E2%80%93Twelve_Questions%E2%80%93Jim_Collins.pdf). Jim took participants through each of THE MAP’s four sections:

· Disciplined People

· Disciplined Thought

· Disciplined Action

· Building to Last

_"Jim's presentation was the best I have seen - ever."_ - Kathy Rees

(Jim was also a hit at two sold-out U.S. events, a CEO roundtable in Boulder, and his Good to Great® Immersion Workshop in Chicago. Both events will return in 2026.)

As well, leading trust expert and _“Who Can You Trust?”_ author **Rachel Botsman** shared [trust lesssons for leaders](https://thegrowthfaculty.com/articles/trust-lessons-for-leaders-from-rachel-botsman?campaign_id=701RG00000b3PZHYA2&promo=Blog&type=Affiliate) in an interactive virtual interview about her new audiobook _“How To Trust and Be Trusted.”_

**Patrick Lencioni** kept the energy high in his 2.5 hour session on [building high performing teams](https://thegrowthfaculty.com/articles/patrick-lencioni-frameworks-for-high-performing-teams). He outlined the competitive advantage of healthy organisations and [The Table Group](https://www.tablegroup.com/pat/)'s 3 frameworks that can get you there.

INSEAD business school professor **Erin Meyer**, who co-authored with Netflix CEO Reed Hastings the _New York Times_ bestseller _“No Rules Rules,”_ shared [stories from inside Netflix](https://thegrowthfaculty.com/articles/erin-meyer-explains-the-netflix-reinvention-framework) – specifically the “looser rules” work culture that fosters creativity and adaptability.

_“Loved Erin's energy, thought-provoking dilemmas, and real-world culture examples from Netflix and others.”_ – Sara

Trial lawyer and author of _"The Next Conversation,"_ **Jefferson Fisher**, scored a **perfect 5.0 speaker rating** from our audience, who appreciated his expertise in the courtroom and his [practical framework for better conversations](https://thegrowthfaculty.com/articles/jefferson-fishers-s-communication-framework): Control, Confidence, Connection.

_“Everything he says is awesome.” “My favourite of 2025!”_  

Our final Global Headliner was **Steven Bartlett** [Redefining Leadership, Innovation, and the Future of Business](https://thegrowthfaculty.com/articles/the-leadership-lessons-steven-bartlett-swears-by), a wide-ranging conversation with MC Holly Ransom. Steven finished the session by suggesting participants ask themselves: _"What is the one change I could make in my daily habits that would make me happiest 10 years from now, and what is stopping me now?"_

Global Headliner series

At **CultureCon™ 2025** – Australia’s Workplace Culture Conference - keynote speaker **Dr Heidi Gardner**, direct from teaching Harvard’s executive programs, revealed the cost of people being [“stuck in silos” at work](https://thegrowthfaculty.com/articles/why-your-best-people-are-stuck-in-silos) and the importance of collaboration. As **Karl Treacher** said in his [opening address](https://thegrowthfaculty.com/articles/the-science-behind-high-performing-cultures-karl-treacher), sustainable high performance requires both achievement and human connection.  

In our **International Women’s Day** free event **Mita Mallick** presented [“Reimagine Inclusion in Your Workplace,”](https://thegrowthfaculty.com/articles/Creating-Equitable-Workplaces) and spoke frankly of the challenges facing the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion movement.

**Kylee Stone**, Founder + CEO of The Performance Code, ran Growth Faculty’s Emerging Leaders Program featuring topics such as the [foundations of leadership](https://thegrowthfaculty.com/articles/foundations-of-leadership?campaign_id=701RG00000b3PZHYA2&promo=Blog&type=Affiliate), [communication](https://thegrowthfaculty.com/articles/communicationskillsforgreatleadership?campaign_id=701RG00000b3PZHYA2&promo=Blog&type=Affiliate), and [strategic alignment](https://thegrowthfaculty.com/articles/importance-of-strategic-alignment?campaign_id=701RG00000b3PZHYA2&promo=Blog&type=Affiliate).

Executive **John Spence** entertained participants while he educated them with his [Senior Leadership Program](https://thegrowthfaculty.com/articles/session-1-senior-leadership-program). He told participants: _"The customer's experience will never exceed the employee's experience. If you don't have a great culture, it is impossible for them to deliver that to the end customer."_

In-person events, leadership programs, and impact series 

Our members enjoyed six events specifically on implementing **artificial intelligence (AI).** 

They included **Geoff Woods** talking about [_Becoming an Ai-Driven Leader_](https://thegrowthfaculty.com/articles/becoming-an-ai-driven-leader-the-strategic-framework), **Dr Immaculate (Mac) Motsi-Omoijiade** on [AI risks and regulations](https://thegrowthfaculty.com/articles/ai-risks-and-regulations-leadership-action-guide?campaign_id=701RG00000b3PZHYA2&promo=Blog&type=Affiliate), **Asma Gulbaz** sharing frameworks for [responsible, practical AI adoption](https://thegrowthfaculty.com/articles/ai-is-here-what-will-you-do-next), **Shannon Byrne Susko** on getting your house in order first before [incorporating AI into your strategy](https://thegrowthfaculty.com/articles/how-to-build-an-ai-ready-foundation), **David Brudenell** explaining [the real AI challenge for leaders right now](https://thegrowthfaculty.com/articles/the-real-ai-challenge-facing-australian-leaders), and **Dawid Naude** who said [AI was like hiring three staff for just $20 per month](https://thegrowthfaculty.com/articles/AI-is-like-three-new-team-members).

Focus on artificial intelligence (AI) 

**Sue Langley** led a masterclass on techniques to practice [Positive Leadership](https://thegrowthfaculty.com/articles/positive-leadership-creating-a-climate-where-people-thrive). Based on excellent feedback like that of Carolyn Stewart-Smith _“10/10 - Great information and practical/useful examples,”_ Sue will return in 2026 to run our [Leadership Essentials Program](https://thegrowthfaculty.com/events/emerging-leaders-program-2026/overview).

**Kylie Lewis**, who trained with American professor Dr Brené Brown, returned to lead two popular events on [courageous cultures](https://thegrowthfaculty.com/articles/barrierstocourageouscultureBreneBrown), and [psychological safety](https://thegrowthfaculty.com/articles/psychological-safety-isn-t-soft-it-s-smart-leadership).

**Dr Robyne Hanley-Dafoe** scored a perfect 5 out of 5 speaker rating when she spoke on [resilience](https://thegrowthfaculty.com/articles/dr-robyne-s-5-pillars-of-resilience). 

_"Great practical tips - emotional real stories that I can connect with."_ - Hebbat Manhy, Cochlear

_"Robyne was amazing, so relevant and inspiring, I made a lot of notes."_ - attendee

Business & leadership growth coach **Mark Green** spelled out how leaders can build a culture of [accountability](https://thegrowthfaculty.com/articles/accountabilityproductivity).

And **Barbara Harvey**, Growth Faculty’s Head of Learning, found time between helping Enterprise clients with designing **team learning journeys to** kicked off a series of [conversations on learning](https://thegrowthfaculty.com/articles/what-is-the-future-of-workplace-learning) referencing insights from Growth Faculty’s [Future of Learning](https://thegrowthfaculty.com/future-of-learning-report) report.

Essential leadership skills and team learning

I really enjoy curating our [list of the year's most impactful business books](https://thegrowthfaculty.com/articles/10-of-the-best-business-books-to-go-into-2026) for Growth Faculty's book club (a regular feature of our [annual program](https://thegrowthfaculty.com/ProgramDownload)). 

We've interviewed each of the authors from this recommended business book list. They've shared incredible insights on AI, adaptability, growth, inclusion, communication, influence, and trust.

Here are the titles I’ve selected this year, and I mention two more to make it a 10 best business books list for 2025.

*   _**The AI-Driven Leader**_ by Geoff Woods introduces the CRIT framework (Context, Role, Interview, Task) for effectively interacting with AI to get better results than 99% of users.
*   _**Adapt**_ by Andrea Clarke presents a 4-step framework for developing adaptive leadership: engage with signals of change, accept what's changing, activate your response using the 80/20 explore-exploit principle, and release what's holding you back.
*   _**How to Trust and Be Trusted**_ by Rachel Botsman teaches the "trust pause" technique and the principle of "trust but verify" to make more reliable decisions about people and situations.
*   _**Influence at Work**_ by Steve Martin builds on Cialdini's principles, showing how strategic introductions highlighting expertise can increase appointments by 19.6% and sales by 15.5%.
*   _**No Rules Rules**_ by Erin Meyer and Reed Hastings reveals Netflix's culture of memorable statements like "We are a team, not a family" that empower high performers to make fast decisions without restrictive policies.
*   _**Blindspotting**_ by Kirstin Ferguson teaches leaders to recognise their hidden biases through three mindsets: being honest about what you don't know, being curious about different perspectives, and being flexible enough to change your mind.
*   _**The Next Conversation**_ by Jefferson Fisher offers a three-step communication framework: say it with control (breathe and pause), say it with confidence (cut filler words), and say it to connect (frame discussions with clarity).
*   _**Reimagine Inclusion**_ by Mita Mallick challenges leaders to examine their meeting invitation patterns to uncover unconscious exclusion and create workplaces where everyone feels valued and seen.
*   _**The Experience Mindset**_ by Tiffani Bova reveals that companies prioritising both employee and customer experience see 1.8x faster revenue growth, with positive employee experience driving up revenue by 50% or more.
*   _**The Compass Within**_ by Robert Glazer helps leaders discover their authentic core values through reflection questions about past engagement, strengths, and what others seek from them.

Recommended Books of 2025 

It’s been an extraordinary year and 2026 is shaping up to be even bigger with two Australian firsts!

We have [announced](https://thegrowthfaculty.com/articles/michelle-obama-in-australia) **In Conversation with Michelle Obama**. Speaking publicly for the first time in Australia, former First Lady Michelle Obama will be hosted by Growth Faculty for two special events in Melbourne and one in Sydney in May.

In another Australian first, **Esther Perel** will bring her 'Relationships at Work' framework to business leaders across Sydney and Melbourne for [LeaderSHIFT 2026](https://thegrowthfaculty.com/events/leadershift-from-survival-to-transformation/overview?sid=a0KRG00000NO7ES2A1). Other speakers at LeaderSHIFT 2026 include influence expert **Steve Martin**, _Emotional Agility_ **Dr Susan David**, self-awareness and meditation coach **Michael Bunting** and mindset coach **Ben Crowe**.

Our live virtual events in 2026 will kick off with mindset coach to elite sports stars and executives **Ben Crowe** with his book [Where the Light Shines In](https://thegrowthfaculty.com/events/Where-The-Light-Gets-In-Ben-Crowe/overview?sid=a0KRG00000QMsu62AD) on 5th February, and Global Headliner [Liz Wiseman: Multiply Your Impact](https://thegrowthfaculty.com/events/multiply-your-impact/overview?sid=a0KRG00000NLL2c2AH) will explain helpful and unhelpful traits and behaviours at work on 12th February.  

And, to top it off, **Jim Collins** will launch his highly anticipated new book [_What To Make of a Life_.](https://thegrowthfaculty.com/events/what-to-make-of-a-life/overview)

It's an exciting year ahead and we can't wait to share it with you. 

Download the latest program [here.](https://thegrowthfaculty.com/ProgramDownload)

Looking towards 2026

So, as we look towards a showstopper 2026, we again thank you for your ongoing commitment to learning and the Growth Faculty community.

Our office will be closed from Wednesday, December 19, 2025, and reopen on Monday, January 6, 2026. Until then, on behalf of all the team, may I wish you a safe and joyful festive season and a Happy New Year.

Year in Review: The Thinkers Who Shaped 2025

Jim Collins, Steven Bartlett, Jefferson Fisher, Erin Meyer & more!

Keep informed
Stay Inspired

Year in Review: The Thinkers Who Shaped 2025

Jim Collins, Steven Bartlett, Jefferson Fisher, Erin Meyer & more!

Keep informedStay Inspired

Keep informed
Stay Inspired