The atmosphere at UNLEASH World 2025 was electric — a global gathering of leaders, visionaries, and innovators exploring how technology and human connection shape the future of work. For our team, the event was more than a conference — it was an experience in transformation, resilience, and reimagining what’s possible.
We started the event with a powerful keynote from James Whittle and Tommy Caulfield, better known as The Tempest Two. Famous for taking on world-first adventures with zero prior experience — from rowing across the Atlantic to climbing El Capitan — they brought their lessons of resilience and bold decision-making into the workplace.
Their message was clear: HR can and should be the catalyst for building resilient, high-performing teams. They discussed the importance of embedding resilience into daily practice, setting meaningful goals, and maintaining energy when the pressure is on. We walked away inspired and equipped to build resilience habits that help our teams thrive under pressure and embrace change. We learned to set bold goals that ignite commitment and collective energy, apply strategies that keep motivation and performance strong long after the moment has passed, strengthen collaboration and accountability through proven frameworks, and implement clear processes that create outcomes with lasting impact.
The theme of people-driven innovation continued in a compelling panel session on harnessing AI in business where Ravi Jay, Global Head of Agile CoE at Sanofi, emphasized the importance of synergy when integrating AI — reminding us that AI transformation isn’t about the system; it’s about what AI can do for your employees.
Alexis Saussinan, Global Head of People Insights & Effectiveness at Merck Group, shared how Merck’s approach to AI upskilling extends beyond technical teams to the entire workforce. He underscored the importance of the “People Why” behind AI — using technology to free up the hands, apply the head more, and do more from the heart. At PZI Group, those words deeply resonate. We believe innovation only creates lasting impact when it empowers people to perform at their best.
Our team has returned home from UNLEASH World 2025 energized and inspired, ready to put new insights into action. With a renewed focus on incorporating AI technology to advance people-first innovation, we’re excited to explore how these tools can strengthen our teams, elevate our client partnerships, and help people everywhere excel in their roles — creating more time to focus on what matters most: the people behind everything we do.
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