View the Exciting Content Planned for #2020WLC
Register by Friday, September 4 to save an extra $100
We are delighted to share the superlative program we are finalizing exclusively for you at WICT's 2020 Virtual Leadership Conference, streaming live to a device of your choice this October 5-6. Keep an eye on the agenda as we are adding new content every day, and be on the lookout for our announcement of the amazing lineup of additional speakers we have in store.
GENERAL SESSIONS
Acting with Power, Purpose and Resilience
Presented by Stanford Graduate School of Business
Sponsored by: WarnerMedia
In less than a year, the world has changed, and many are struggling to adapt. As fear and uncertainty rise in society and the workplace, so too does the need for strong leaders who are not afraid to utilize their power. In this session, Stanford Professor Deborah Gruenfeld, Ph.D., and author of the new book Acting with Power: Why We Are More Powerful Than We Believe, addresses how what we need from our leaders is changing, and how women leaders, in particular, can rise to the occasion, by learning to wield power without fear.
Beyond the Hashtag: Moving from Grassroots to Grand Landscapes
Sponsored by: AMC Networks
As we attempt to heal the deep wounds affecting our society, businesses have a moral obligation to hold themselves accountable and evaluate how they contribute to the tangled web of systemic racism. Our industry is one of the few that benchmarks progress while also wielding unmatched social and economic power. Join Michael Powell, President & CEO, NCTA – The Internet & Television Association for a #BLM fireside chat facilitated by Lori Hall, Co-Founder & Head of Creative for Pop'N Creative, as they discuss the tremendous social influence our industry has as content creators and conduits of information for billions around the world. As part of WICT’s Beyond the Hashtag Series, we aim to move past the dialog to galvanize solutions that result in real and measurable progress.
Grit: The Power and Passion of Perseverance
Grit – a unique combination of passion and long-term resolve – is the hallmark of high achievers in every domain, according to Dr. Angela Duckworth, best-selling author of Grit: The Power and Passion of Perseverance. Duckworth’s book serves as a roadmap to understanding and building resilience in tough times. We invite you to join us for this personal, insightful and transformative conversation about what happens psychologically when an individual falters, and how perseverance — especially when faced with challenging conditions — determines one’s level of success.
Organizational Compassion: Motivating Yourself and Your Team in Tumultuous Times
Given the challenges organizations currently face internally and externally, leaders are being asked to demonstrate more flexibility as their team members adapt to new ways of working. Leaders who actively listen and demonstrate compassion for their workforce generate higher levels of trust among their employees, which leads to measurable competitive advantages in areas like innovation, collaboration and talent retention. Marshaling evidence from two decades of field research, scholar and researcher Monica Worline will show you how to unlock your team’s potential by building a capacity for compassion into the structures and practices of your organization.
Profiles of Champions: Becoming a Corporate Athlete
Sponsored by: Accenture Consulting
Athletes possess specific traits developed over years of competitive sports that translate well into a corporate culture. From perseverance and discipline to teamwork and reliance, these attributes are what make or break winners during their career. Among the highest-rated conference sessions, this encore panel presentation explores the intersectionality between high-performing athletes and high-performing executives. Learn invaluable strategies from these top players as they share their personal stories of trials and triumphs, empowering you to create your own corporate playbook. This year's stars include Tatiana Calderon, FIA F2 Race Car Driver and First Latina to drive an F1 race car; Laura Gentile, SVP, espnW & Women’s Initiatives, ESPN (Moderator); Amanda McGrory, Paralympian & Team USA Athlete; and Kristi Yamaguchi, Olympic Gold Medalist, World Champion Skater & Founder, Always Dream Foundation.
Pearls of Wisdom: Defining Moments
Sponsored by: Charter Communications
This annual capstone session takes a page from the famed TED Talks, bringing together influential thought leaders to impart their wisdom in several mini-keynotes. Speakers will share their inspiring and powerful journeys and seminal moments, which will leave you energized and empowered to take your teachings and turn them into an action plan!
BREAKOUT SESSIONS
All breakouts will be recorded for later access at your convenience – no need to worry about missing any great content.
Navigating Chaos in a COVID World
Sponsored by: Google Cloud
Unprecedented times call for unprecedented leadership. Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the world has experienced civil, economic and political upheaval like nothing in recent history. However, even in the midst of turmoil, strong leaders find creative ways to pivot and support their organizations and teams in spite of it—while continuing to work toward their own professional goals. Listen in on this frank panel discussion and learn practical tools, ideas and lessons to guide you through the still evolving COVID crisis, and ensure you are prepared for the next big challenge that comes our way. Come prepared with your burning questions for our experts.
Preparing for Tomorrow’s Jobs Today, The Futurist’s Perspective
There is little doubt that our workplaces are currently undergoing extraordinary transformation, expedited by the pandemic. These changes may be undermining our sense of identity and challenging our ability to adapt. Where so many see change as threatening, futurists Heather McGowan and Chris Shipley see it as an opportunity to open the flood gates of human potential and shift the way we think about work and leadership. Join us for this candid discussion about adaptation, and learn ways to detach your sense of pride and personal identity from a job title, and connect to your sense of purpose. You will return to work with tools that will positively impact your career for years to come.
Rebel Talent: Why it Pays to Break the Rules at Work and in Life
Sponsored by: Cable One
There’s a rebel in each of us. We live in turbulent times and the world seems more divided than ever. In this competitive environment, cultivating rebel talent is what allows businesses to evolve and prosper. And rebellion has an added benefit beyond the workplace: it leads to a more vital, engaged and fulfilling life. Sharing insights from her research on why, when and how to break the rules, Dr. Francesca Gino will provide the tools to take a different look at how you approach work and life.
Managing Up: Proven Strategies to Manage Management
Whether we like it or not, our bosses have enormous influence over our ability to succeed, thrive and advance in our organizations, our careers and ultimately, our leadership journey. Managing up helps you build relationships that foster more communication and understanding between people with varying levels of power, skills and perspectives. This lively and interactive presentation provides proven strategies and techniques to increase cooperation and collaboration with everyone on your team, regardless of position. Learning to effectively manage up is good for you, your boss and your organization.
Creating an Exceptional and Dynamic Culture
Sponsored by: Red Hat
There can be a disconnect between a leader’s perception of an organization’s culture and that of rank-and-file employees’ perceptions. These disconnects can create miscommunication, sometimes resulting in reduced trust and confidence in leadership. Creating a people-centered culture has a positive impact on an organization’s effectiveness and bottom line, however, changing mindsets and behaviors doesn’t happen all at once. Culture transformation takes time and commitment from all levels of the organization. Join us for this session and learn how to involve your entire team in creating a dynamic culture that will benefit your company in the long term.
The Activation of Courage in Leaders: What the Science Says
Sponsored by: TV One
What causes fear? What does it mean to act with courage? This session will address those questions and more as we explore the neuro-behavior of fear and bravery. You will come away from this fascinating session armed with tools and techniques that you can utilize to stay in control and lead with courage in the face of fear.
Financial Acumen for the Non-Accountants
Understanding financial statements and cash flow charts are vital skills for anyone who intends to move upward in leadership. Successful executives understand and use financial data to help inform sound decision making and tap into their fiscal acumen routinely to succeed. This session will give you a primer on understanding financial reporting basics, like reading income statements and cash flow reports, helping you to gain confidence in understanding how financial data and non-financial metrics interact. Learn to forecast events and determine the best financial strategy to position your organization for financial stability and growth.
Trendspotting: Embracing Emerging Technologies
Sponsored by: AWS
While we can’t predict the future, we can envision what’s possible, thanks to the latest technology. Join this panel discussion of senior-level industry leaders as they dive into the tech trends on the horizon. Learn how these trends will drive significant change and transform our ever-evolving business.
