Levelling Up: Why Diverse and Inclusive Teams Succeed

Christine Armstrong delivering an insightful session on the future of work at Pendulum Summit 2025. Photo by Conor McCabe. The workplace is changing—fast. AI, automation, and hybrid work models are reshaping how we collaborate, communicate, and lead. But as Christine Armstrong pointed out at Pendulum Summit 2025, the real challenge isn’t just technology. It’s the people. “The difficult stuff—it’s not the policies, it’s not even the AI, it’s not the tech—it’s the people,” Armstrong told the audience. With her signature wit and data-driven insights, she broke down what’s happening in the modern workplace—and how leaders need to adapt or struggle in the decade ahead. Here are the top takeaways from her session: 1. Work Has Become Overwhelming—But It Doesn’t Have to Be One of the most common complaints in the modern workplace is the feeling of being always on. Employees are inundated with emails, Teams messages, and late-night WhatsApp notifications. Armstrong highlighted how this culture of constant communication does not necessarily lead to productivity. “I was talking to a lady doing my hair this morning. She said customers WhatsApp her at 10 o’clock at night about appointments and hairstyles. And if they stop messaging, she starts feeling anxious, so then she starts sending messages.” This endless cycle of communication can create unnecessary stress and burnout. Armstrong stressed the need for companies to set clear boundaries, allowing employees to focus on deep work rather than being in a perpetual state of responsiveness. “The key to productivity is focus. We have to create environments where people can work without being pulled in a hundred different directions.” 🔹 The solution: Leaders need to set boundaries around communication and be intentional about when and how teams interact. 2. Hybrid Work: What People Say vs. What Actually Works Hybrid work models have been widely embraced, but Armstrong challenged leaders to consider whether complete flexibility is truly the best approach. “People always say they want flexible work. They want to decide when to come in. But when we study how it actually works, we find that people do better with structure.” While many employees claim they prefer the freedom to choose when to come into the office, data suggests that fixed hybrid models—where certain days are designated for in-person work—often lead to better collaboration and productivity. “If you give employees complete freedom, they’ll choose one day a week in the office. Bosses won’t like that. So what happens? They start mandating specific days. And weirdly, when people move to fixed hybrid, they often find it easier.” Striking the right balance between flexibility and structure is key to a successful hybrid workplace. 🚀 Takeaway: Find the right balance between flexibility and structure—because too much of either can lead to disengagement. 3. Leaders Who Push Full Office Returns Risk Losing Top Talent As more companies push for a full return to the office, Armstrong warned that forcing employees back could lead to an unintended consequence: high attrition rates. “The challenge is that the people who leave first are often the ones you really don’t want to lose.” Recent data shows that 83% of CEOs expect a full return to the office within three years. However, Armstrong pointed to the example of Amazon, where a return-to-office mandate resulted in nearly 50% of employees applying for new jobs. Instead of issuing blanket return-to-office policies, she urged leaders to create a compelling reason for employees to want to come in, rather than relying on mandates. “You have to give people a reason to come in. It’s not just about having a desk—it’s about collaboration, connection, and community.” 🚀 Takeaway: If leaders push too hard, they risk driving away their best employees. 4. The Future of Work is About People, Not Just Technology While AI and digital transformation will undoubtedly play a major role in the future workplace, Armstrong reminded the audience that success in 2030 will still be driven by human relationships and communication. “We talk so much about AI, but let’s be real—most offices can barely get the printer to work.” While technology can enhance efficiency, it cannot replace collaboration, leadership, and emotional intelligence—all of which will remain critical in the evolving workplace. 🚀 Takeaway: AI may be the future, but human connection will always be essential to success. 5. Leadership in 2030: Less Control, More Trust The traditional leadership model of control and micromanagement is becoming obsolete. Armstrong emphasized that future leaders will need to focus on trust, autonomy, and results rather than simply monitoring attendance or screen time. “Bosses who measure success by ‘who’s in their chair the longest’ are going to struggle. The best leaders will measure results, not presenteeism.” This shift means moving away from outdated notions of productivity and instead creating psychologically safe workplaces where employees feel motivated and empowered to perform at their best. 🚀 Takeaway: The future belongs to leaders who trust, empower, and support their teams. 6. Final Thought: Adapt or Struggle The Pendulum Summit audience applauding after Christine Armstrong’s session on the future of work. Photo by Conor McCabe. Armstrong’s session served as a wake-up call for leaders: the workplace is changing, and those who fail to adapt will struggle. Key takeaways from her talk included: Embrace flexibility, but set clear structures to maintain productivity. Reduce digital overload by creating communication boundaries. Recognize that AI is a tool, but people remain the priority. Move away from control-based leadership and focus on results. “The workplace is changing—fast. The leaders who adapt will thrive. The ones who don’t? They’ll struggle.” As businesses prepare for the future, Armstrong’s insights serve as a valuable guide for navigating the evolving workplace with confidence and clarity. Looking Ahead to Pendulum 2026 If this year’s event is anything to go by, Pendulum Summit 2026 is set to raise the bar yet again. The early buzz suggests another powerhouse line-up and even more tailored leadership content. Tickets are already in demand, with early-bird packages available now for teams looking to secure their place at the world’s leading business

As the curtains close over a month on from Pendulum Summit 2025, the energy and inspiration from this year’s event continue to resonate across the business and leadership community. Over two action-packed days, the Convention Centre Dublin hosted the world’s top thought leaders, visionary speakers, and an audience of ambitious professionals—all united under this year’s theme: Future-Focused Leadership. Here’s a recap of the event that’s already being hailed as the most impactful Pendulum yet. Pendulum Summit MC Mandy Hickson kicking things off at the beginning of Day 1. Picture by Conor McCabe Key Highlights That Defined Pendulum 2025 1. World-Class Speaker Line-Up The stage was graced by an extraordinary mix of global icons and innovative thinkers. Standout moments included: Sugar Ray Leonard on resilience and championship mindset. Andre Agassi sharing his journey from sports icon to entrepreneur. Mandy Hickson, the trailblazing fighter pilot, on fearless leadership. Nick Santonastasso, who left the audience inspired by his story of defying physical limitations. Dr. Lollie Mancey delivering thought-provoking insights on workplace culture and performance. Mary Portas OBE, the retail guru, emphasizing the power of Purpose-Led Business. David Meade captivating the crowd with his blend of mind-reading and performance psychology. A fantastic lineup of Pendulum Talks speakers taking the stage on both days of the summit. These voices, along with many others, delivered more than just keynotes—they sparked action. Attendees walked away with strategies to lead with clarity, navigate change, and elevate their teams to new heights​. Andre Agassi speaking at Pendulum Day 2. Picture by Conor McCabe 2. A CEO Dinner to Remember The exclusive Viatel CEO Dinner at Anantara The Marker Dublin was a highlight for many. This intimate evening featured fine dining, fireside conversations with speakers, and unparalleled networking opportunities. This invite-only event provided a platform to forge lasting business relationships while gaining leadership insights from some of the most successful names in the industry. Taoiseach Micheál Martin at the Pendulum CEO Dinner. Picture by Conor McCabe 3. Networking & Connections Pendulum Summit has always been more than just a conference—it’s a global networking hub. Whether over breakfast bites, coffee breaks, or at the buzzing Expo, the connections made here often lead to lasting collaborations and game-changing partnerships. The introduction of the Pendulum Summit app with advanced networking technology enhanced these opportunities, allowing delegates to connect digitally before, during, and after the event​. Delegates seizing networking opportunities after one of the coffee breaks at Pendulum Summit 2025. Picture by Conor McCabe 4. Professional Development & CPD Accreditation Attendees left not only inspired but also with tangible professional development credits. As a CPD-accredited summit, delegates earned certification that adds real value to their professional growth while boosting their leadership toolkit​. 5. Embracing the Future of Work This year’s focus on Future-Focused Leadership addressed key topics like: Digital Transformation High-Performance Team Building Purpose-Driven Leadership Emotional Intelligence in Leadership Mental Resilience & Well-being Disruptive Innovation and Crisis Management The message was clear: To lead in 2025 and beyond, businesses must prioritize adaptability, emotional intelligence, and forward-thinking leadership​. Dr. Lollie Mancey captivating the audience with her insights on workplace culture and the transformative role of AI in shaping the future of leadership at Pendulum Summit 2025. Picture by Conor McCabe The Energy That Fuels Transformation What sets Pendulum apart is its atmosphere. As one attendee put it, “You leave feeling like anything is possible. The energy in the room is electric, and every conversation, every insight shared felt like a stepping stone towards something greater.”​ This sentiment was echoed throughout social media as the hashtag #PendulumSummit trended with snapshots of the vibrant crowd, inspirational speaker moments, and the much-loved Pendulum After Dark celebration. Pendulum volunteers enjoying some downtime at the Pendulum After Dark party. Picture by Conor McCabe Looking Ahead to Pendulum 2026 If this year’s event is anything to go by, Pendulum Summit 2026 is set to raise the bar yet again. The early buzz suggests another powerhouse line-up and even more tailored leadership content. Tickets are already in demand, with early-bird packages available now for teams looking to secure their place at the world’s leading business and self-empowerment summit. Visit here for more information.