When the global business events community gathered in Lisbon for PCMA Convening EMEA in September 2026, the overarching message was clear: the world has fundamentally shifted, and leadership must evolve alongside it. Welcoming attendees back, Jaime Bennett, Managing Director, EMEA at PCMA, set a profound tone for the event. She noted that as our businesses and daily conversations change, professionals must use their time together to forge a different, more authentic way of working. It is no longer enough to merely manage teams; the modern landscape requires leaders who lead with transparency and are not afraid to step into difficult, empathetic dialogues.
A central pillar of this new approach is dismantling the fear that often paralyses corporate culture. As highlighted by speakers including Human Library Founder Ronni Abergel, workplaces frequently expect “robotics” rather than humanity. Employees and leaders alike are often terrified of engaging in challenging conversations out of a deep-rooted fear of causing offence or exposing their own perceived flaws. Whether an individual is concealing burnout, neurodiversity, or simply a lack of knowledge, this culture of silence and judgment stifles genuine connection.
Convening EMEA 2026 challenged industry professionals to rethink corporate culture by prioritising empathy, open dialogue, and genuine human connection in the workplace
The devastating cost of this emotional detachment was starkly illustrated by Abergel, who shared the profound isolation he experienced returning to work after the sudden death of his wife. Faced with colleagues who were too afraid of saying the wrong thing to offer simple comfort, he found himself bearing the unreasonable burden of managing their social discomfort alongside his own intense grief. His story served as a powerful reminder that bringing humanity back into the equation is vital. Being open to vulnerability, showing empathy, and having the courage to admit what we do not know are not signs of weakness—they are the essential competencies of modern leadership.
