In this opening plenary, attendees will explore a new leadership mindset—one that asks leaders to shift from Captain to Navigator, and ultimately, to Explorer. This shift does not abandon expertise or experience; rather, it reframes leadership as a more human and relational practice that is grounded in authenticity, humility, and trust. At the heart of this evolution is a deeper understanding of emotion as a leadership asset, not a liability. For generations, leaders have been told to suppress their emotions, separating the personal from the professional, and “leaving feelings at the door.” But in times of ambiguity and change, emotional intelligence (EQ) is essential. Our words shape our mindsets, our mindsets shape our behaviors, and our behaviors define the kind of leaders we become.

This plenary challenges leaders to rethink what it means to “manage their emotions”—not by controlling or suppressing them, but by recognizing, exercising, and using them intentionally. Together, these ideas form a powerful invitation: to lead not by having all the answers, but by navigating complexity with emotional intelligence, humility, and collaboration.