RevvedUP 2025 | Keynote Session Day 2
Speaker: Blair LaCorte, Vice Chair, Buck Institute for Research on Aging
Title: Leading Through Transformation in a Disrupted World
Opening Context
Blair opened with reflections on the immense pressure today’s leaders face: navigating disruption, complexity, and acceleration. His perspective is shaped by a career leading transformations across five industries, including live events, aviation, and artificial intelligence.
Core Themes and Takeaways
1. Intentionality Over Reactivity
- Blair’s word for 2025 is "Intentional."
- After stepping down from his CEO role for health reasons, he emphasized the importance of consciously choosing how to live and lead.
- Morning routine: A five-minute transition from sleep where he grounds himself by repeating personal affirmations.
2. Self-Awareness and the Johari Window
- Blair used the Johari Window to explore leadership authenticity:
- Open Self: What we and others know.
- Hidden Self: What we hide from others.
- Blind Spot: What others know but we don’t.
- Unknown: What neither we nor others know.
- Expanding this window is essential for trust, safety, and deep human connection.
- End-of-life reflections often center on authenticity, purpose, and relationships.
3. Business is a Sport
- Business is not a sacrifice; it’s a competitive sport.
- Strategy is about saying no. Execution is about psychology and math.
- Chronic stress is a silent killer. Athletes are trained to manage it. Executives should be too.
4. Leading Change: Fuel and Friction Framework
- Change = Motivation (fuel) minus Resistance (friction).
- Fuel: Pain of current state or the promise of something better.
- Friction: Identity, fear of irrelevance, status quo, social ties.
- AI is not a motivator. Outcomes (speed, simplicity, insight) are.
5. Connection is a Performance Multiplier
- Humans are wired for tribe, safety, and connection.
- Longevity studies show that love and connection reduce inflammation and improve immune function.
- Trust and compassion in one-on-one relationships are biologically healing.
6. Scientific Wellness: Optimizing Healthspan, Not Just Lifespan
The 4-Part Framework for Longevity:
- Intermittent fasting, low glycemic index foods, diverse diets.
- Cut processed foods and reduce sugar intake.
- 15 minutes of movement each hour.
- Minimum 10 minutes of high-intensity movement per day.
- Sleep consistency is more important than duration.
- Deep breathing, physical touch, and recovery practices are essential.
- Eliminate common toxins (dryer sheets, rinse liquids, harsh cleaners).
- Your skin and mouth are major absorption pathways.
7. The Ultimate Multiplier: Psychological Safety
- Safety, love, and purpose aren’t soft concepts; they are biological drivers.
- The best predictor of longevity isn’t income or genetics—it’s social connection.
- Create environments of trust and psychological safety for yourself and your teams.
Final Challenge from Blair Before the end of the day, write down three things:
- One thing you will do to improve your most important personal relationship.
- One way you will make change easier and faster in your organization.
- One small decision you will make today is to protect your health span.
Because work matters. But so do you.
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