One degree of change: Lessons from Jamil Qureshi at the InX Leadership Summit
On November 13th, we had the privilege of hosting over 70 C-suite leaders at Mortimer House, London, for the InX Leadership Summit featuring renowned performance psychologist Jamil Qureshi. This engaging evening, aimed at exploring leadership, mindset, and behaviour change, offered powerful insights into what it means to lead and innovate in today’s dynamic business landscape. With a backdrop of Live Illustration capturing the key ideas in real time, it was an evening of inspiration, interaction, and introspection.
Who is Jamil Qureshi?
Jamil Qureshi is a globally recognised expert in performance psychology who has worked with elite athletes and top business leaders alike. Known for his role as the first-ever official golf psychologist for the European Ryder Cup team, Jamil has helped countless sports stars reach number one, while also advising global brands like Coca-Cola, Unilever, and Emirates Airlines. He’s passionate about how psychology shapes success, advocating for a mindset shift that fuels high performance and sustainable change. Interestingly, he is one of only a few psychologists who have been invited to study astronauts on NASA’s Space Programme, making his expertise both broad and uniquely insightful.
Key takeaways from the discussion
Throughout the evening, Jamil shared powerful lessons on achieving success, adapting in uncertain times, and challenging our own belief systems. Here are some of the standout insights he brought to the summit:
Amplify what works
Jamil emphasised that leaders often spend too much time trying to fix what doesn’t work instead of amplifying what does. His advice? Focus on the areas where you’re already seeing results and “turn up the application.” A small, 1-degree change in the right direction can lead to significant outcomes over time, demonstrating that even small improvements in successful areas can be transformational.
Harnessing the power of connection and diversity
True innovation, Jamil explained, happens at the intersection of previously unconnected ideas or people. This is why fostering high diversity and psychological safety in teams is essential for sustainable success. When individuals feel safe to contribute unique perspectives, organisations can leverage a vast pool of ideas, leading to better decision-making and increased competitive advantage. Jamil challenged leaders to value contributions over “fit,” recruiting team members who add new perspectives to their organisation’s culture.
The power of positive visualisation
Jamil provided a fascinating example from the late footballer Gary Speed, who, before every penalty, asked himself, “How am I going to celebrate this goal?” By visualising the outcome as if it had already happened, he enhanced his confidence and eliminated self-doubt. Jamil explained that our brains often struggle with “negative” language; when we think “I don’t want to fail,” the mind fixates on failure rather than success. Instead, he encourages leaders to visualise success, focusing on what they want to achieve rather than what they hope to avoid.
Defining success beyond job titles
Jamil challenged attendees to redefine their value not by job titles but by the contributions they make. “What defines you, confines you,” he said, urging leaders to think about the impact they want to have rather than the tasks they perform. As an example, he mentioned that a bank isn’t defined by its financial services but by the peace of mind it provides - a good night’s sleep. By focusing on purpose, leaders can inspire their teams and connect their organisation’s mission with real value.
Challenge your belief system
Our minds tend to filter information to fit existing beliefs, which can limit growth. Jamil encouraged leaders to actively question their assumptions, recognising that today’s environment requires an openness to change. When people and organisations challenge their beliefs, they become more adaptable and better positioned to innovate. Jamil shared practical exercises to encourage disruptive thinking, suggesting “gamified” scenarios to reimagine business models and ideate without judgment, for example, “How would we succeed if we had to operate without revenue from our core product?”
Reflecting on the summit
The InX Leadership Summit wasn’t just an opportunity to learn from one of the top performance psychologists, it was a call to action for all of us to think differently. As Jamil said, “There’s a big difference between being on a clear mission and simply having a mission statement.” Leaders who embrace purposeful action and are willing to see beyond traditional boundaries are best positioned to create lasting impact.
We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who attended and contributed to this event, and a special thank you to Jamil Qureshi for sharing his invaluable insights. By fostering these conversations, we hope to inspire a new wave of leaders ready to challenge norms, connect with purpose, and thrive through continuous learning.
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