One Less Chair: Why Do the Best Leaders Keep Starting Again? | New York

Following on from our Ambition is Honesty conversation at The Changemakers Conference, this intimate Connections & Conversation will bring together a small group of marketers to explore the less-talked-about side of ambition: what happens when the plan changes, the role disappears, or the next chapter looks nothing like we imagined.

In an industry in constant flux, sometimes there’s simply one less chair than there used to be. Even the most talented leaders can find themselves starting again. But what if these moments aren’t interruptions to our careers, but part of the journey itself? How do we move forward when the familiar disappears and rebuild confidence before certainty arrives?

Through honest conversations with leaders who’ve navigated unexpected setbacks, difficult choices and new beginnings, we’ll explore what it means to bounce forward, not just back. We’ll talk about knowing our worth beyond a job title, staying curious when we don’t have all the answers, and building the relationships that help us find our footing when things change.

This isn’t a session about how to find a job, or success stories with the messy bits edited out. It’s about what happens when ambition meets reality, and how we learn, adapt and grow through it. Whether you’re happily in role, navigating a transition or wondering what comes next, join us for an open conversation about embracing uncertainty and finding the confidence to begin again.