The Storyline of Amsterdam Business Forum 2026

The speakers at Amsterdam Business Forum are not chosen at random. Every year, we craft a cohesive programme that tells one compelling story.

This year, that story is: People Centered Leadership. How do we put people truly at the heart of our organisations?

The programme is built around three blocks, each with two speakers who reinforce each other. Together, they offer a complete answer to the question: what does people-centered leadership look like in a world that is changing at breathtaking speed?

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Block 1 – Humans in digital organizations

AI is taking over more and more. Repetitive work, routine tasks, standard processes: all of it can be automated. So what remains the unique contribution of people? That is the heart of this block.

Diana Kander: Curiosity as your superpower
‍Curiosity is one of the few skills AI simply cannot replicate. Diana Kander shares brilliant insights into how you develop it, in yourself and in the people around you. Curious people learn faster, adapt better and stay relevant. In a world of relentless automation, that is a priceless skill.

Seth Godin: How do you stay unique and remarkable?
As more work gets handed over to technology, one question becomes more urgent than ever: what makes you remarkable? Seth Godin, one of the sharpest thinkers on work and meaning, shares how you strengthen your uniquely human qualities. An eye-opener for anyone who wants to stay relevant.

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Block 2 – Empathy over dominance

The world is changing rapidly. Many organisations are under pressure. The leaders who make the real difference are not the loudest or most dominant. They are the ones who connect, listen, and still make the call. That is what this block is all about.

Ahmed Aboutaleb: Connecting in polarising times
As mayor of Rotterdam, Ahmed Aboutaleb navigated conflict, deep mistrust and sharp divisions as a true connector. How do you create cohesion in an environment that keeps rubbing up against itself? His story is packed with beautiful lessons every leader will recognise.

Jacinda Ardern: Empathy as a courageous choice
Directive leadership is for lazy leaders: my way or the highway. Empathetic leadership is far harder and far braver. Jacinda Ardern, former Prime Minister of New Zealand and the world's foremost icon of empathetic leadership, shows what it truly means. Empathy is not weakness. It is the strongest form of leadership.

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Block 3 – Human centered organizations

Putting people first sounds like a great value on a whiteboard. But how do you actually build it into your organisation? How do you create teams where people have each other's backs no matter what? That is the heart of this block.

Eva de Mol: The team is the key to success
Many people assume success comes down to a brilliant idea or the smartest people in the room. Eva de Mol's research shows something very different: how well people collaborate accounts for as much as 40% of success. A stunning insight that holds true for every team.

Steven Bartlett: The hallmarks of a people-centered organisation
Steven Bartlett interviewed hundreds of the world's most successful leaders in his famous podcast Diary of a CEO. He distils the finest lessons on team-building, culture and leadership and puts them to work in his own organisations. Golden advice for every leader.

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18 September – A masterclass in People Centered Leadership

Three blocks. Six speakers. One red thread.

How do you give people the role they deserve in a world that is digitalising, polarising and changing faster than ever?

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