News and Insights
Tsunami of Change: Key Takeaways from World Business Forum 2025
November 26, 2025
At this year’s World Business Forum (WBF) in New York City, the message was clear: the pace of change has never been faster, and the leaders who will thrive are those who adapt with purpose. Across two days of powerful sessions, recognized thought leaders from around the world challenged attendees to rethink how they lead, learn, and communicate in a world that refuses to stand still.
As a proud partner in amplifying this incredible event and supporting media on the ground, FINN Partners’ U.S. Financial Services team was energized by the bold ideas and experiences that have been reshaping today’s rapidly changing business environment. Together, WBF speaker sessions reinforced a clear throughline: progress depends on adaptability, vulnerability, and the courage to rethink long-held assumptions. Here are some of the key takeaways from this year’s conference:
Simone Biles, Olympic Gold Medalist and one of the greatest athletes of all time, took the stage to remind the audience that the ability to adapt isn’t just professional; it’s personal. She shared how stepping back from competition to focus on her mental health during the 2021 Tokyo Olympics became the most courageous decision of her career. She chose to recognize her limits, reset, and return stronger – because, for Biles, strength isn’t about ignoring fear or pressure. She spoke about the importance of support, joy, and purpose in rising again when things don’t go as planned. Her story is an important lesson for business leaders facing periods of uncertainty: sometimes the most powerful move to make is to pause, reflect, and rebuild.
Expanding upon the topics of growth and adaptation, organizational psychologist Adam Grant explored how progress depends on the ability to question existing knowledge. He introduced the concept of “challenge networks,” groups of honest peers who consistently question ideas and push for improvement. Grant highlighted that unlocking hidden potential requires cultivating environments where it is safe to test new thinking and seek advice rather than just praise. Confidence, he explained, is built through action, not anticipation, and develops through the willingness to take difficult steps forward.
Duncan Wardle, Former Head of Innovation & Creativity at the Walt Disney Company, shared an interesting perspective on barriers to maintaining creativity. He explained that the greatest obstacle to fresh thinking is experience itself, as expertise can trap teams in familiar patterns. Wardle encouraged leaders to spark imagination by replacing “no, because” with “yes, and,” and view playfulness as a tool for problem-solving. He spoke about the growing importance of human-centered skills like empathy, creativity, and imagination, and challenged organizations to create cultures where experimentation is celebrated and new ideas have room to grow.
In addition to cultivating creativity, renowned researcher Brené Brown emphasized that effective leadership begins with clarity of values. Many organizations attempt to innovate without first strengthening the foundations of trust and integrity. Brown described courage and vulnerability as essential in navigating uncertainty and urged leaders to have the hard conversations that build alignment and accountability. Her framework for “strong ground” leadership offered a roadmap for those seeking to lead with both empathy and resilience.
FINN Partners’ own Amy Terpeluk, Global Purpose and Social Impact Lead, brought the discussion full circle by addressing the themes of change and communication. She spoke about the role of purpose as a measurable business advantage that strengthens trust and guides organizations through disruption. In a world shaped by noise and AI-driven narratives, Terpeluk noted that silence is no longer neutral; it’s a statement. Notably, Amy told the audience that “in order to be a thought leader, you have to have a thought.” Further, companies that don’t define their stories risk having them defined by others. Amy outlined how purposeful communication rooted in company values and consistent messaging helps build credibility and resilience that protects in moments of crisis. FINN Partners helps clients do exactly that: align business strategy with purpose and turn values into action that earns trust.
The 2025 World Business Forum truly captured the energy of transformation in today’s business landscape. The conference’s additional speakers, including James Patterson, Patrick Leddin, Dr. Ayanna Howard, James Clear, Seth Godin, and Renée Richardson, brought valuable perspectives that reinforced the same message: change cannot be avoided, but it can be embraced. This event was a reflection of leadership in motion: courageous, curious, and purpose-driven. FINN Partners was honored to support an event that sparked global dialogue about the future of business and the humanity at its center.