Professor Jim Saker will explore the challenges of leadership in a world of “fake” news and where opinion is overriding fact. Drawing from examples from the motor industry and other sectors, he will explore the stances that leaders have taken and the implications that they have on the culture and performance of the organisation. The session will identify the pressures that impact on leaders and managers to create a false narrative about themselves and the organisation. It will go on to explore the concept of “wilful blindness” and the threat that this presents not only to the interaction with staff but also the underlying performance of the organisation as a whole. He will also draw out the HR implications that this has for issues such as recruitment and professional development.