Welcome to the November edition of Defy Digest.
The future is creating more plausible paths than any conventional plan can comfortably hold. Possibility planning helps leaders prepare for that reality: testing assumptions, clarifying decision-making authority and preserving the freedom to respond as conditions change.
In this edition, we explore what this means in practice, including who remains accountable when AI can act on an organisation’s behalf. We’re also celebrating national recognition for our Leadership Academy, looking ahead to BIDx The Big One, and revisiting our most popular podcast episode of the month.
Less doomscrolling, more possibility planning
When uncertainty creates more plausible futures than leaders can predict, planning needs to become more adaptable. Our latest article explores how clear triggers, shorter commitments and sound judgement can help organisations respond intelligently as circumstances change.
Coffee Break Listen
In Busting the Hustle Culture, Gary Montalvo explores how self-awareness, ownership and genuine authenticity shape effective leadership. Listen for a thoughtful perspective on leading through uncertainty, vulnerability and growth.
We’re delighted that our Leadership Academy has been named a finalist in the Sales Development Programme (External) category at the National Sales Awards 2027. This recognition reflects the work of everyone who has helped shape, deliver and participate in a programme built around practical, workplace-relevant development.
BIDx The Big One
Defy's Helen Honisett and Christopher Farnath will be hosting a breakout session at APMP UK’s BIDx The Big One on 24 November. We’re looking forward to joining the bid and proposal community for practical learning, fresh thinking and valuable conversations.
An AI tool that drafts a customer reply saves a few minutes. Give it permission to send the reply and issue a refund, and it can spend company money and make promises in your name. Would your finance director and head of customer service agree on the limit? If the same mistake affected a hundred customers, would both know who could stop it?
An experienced employee knows when an unusual request deserves a second opinion. An automated process can repeat a decision long before anyone spots the pattern. The board has more to measure than time saved. How many cases needed correcting? How long did it take someone with authority to act?
At Defy Expectations, we examine how decisions work in practice. Bring one live decision to a 90-minute working session: a customer promise, an investment proposal or a change to someone’s role. We’ll help you establish whether people need support to exercise their judgement, clearer authority to act, or both.
You’ll leave with a one-page record of what AI may do, where human approval is required, who owns the outcome and who can call a halt.
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