This week I had the pleasure of launching the campaign message for our next national gathering Anthropy25. Over 200 Anthropy members welcomed the message that it is time to ‘Reboot Britain’, and I want to explain what I mean and why it is important.
In an age where uncertainty is pervasive and the weight of societal, economic, and environmental challenges bear down on all of us, our message that it’s time to reboot Britain, is a clear call to action. At the heart, lies the need for a new sense of optimism and confidence in leadership. To understand what this means, we must confront the delicate balance that optimism and confidence must not be mistaken for blind hope, arrogance, or the dismissal of hard truths. Instead, they are the fuel that drives vision and change, propelling leaders to forge new paths, even when the road is uncertain.
The mission of Anthropy for 2025 is clear: we need leaders who are willing to step forward with optimism and confidence, who can inspire, see the possibility of a brighter future and also understand that this can only be realised by addressing the pressing issues of today. The key is in understanding how optimism and confidence, when wielded responsibly, create vision and catalyse transformative action.
Optimism - A Force for Change
Optimism is often misunderstood. It is not naivety, or ignoring the problems we face. It is not rose-tinted views of the world that blind us to the realities of our challenges. Instead, it is a belief in the possibility of change. It is a mindset that tells us that no matter how difficult the path ahead is, progress is possible. In a time when pessimism and cynicism often dominate public discourse, optimism provides the counterbalance, offering a narrative that inspires hope. My optimism therefore is not blind to our national challenges, which is why I created Anthropy, it is actually my motivation.
Optimistic leaders are those who can imagine a future where Britain doesn’t just survive - but rather, it thrives in spite of them. They see potential where others see obstacles and are willing to confront them, believing that solutions are within reach if we work together. That is the character of our individual Anthropists and Anthropy25 is built on this foundation. I want it to reignite Britain’s potential by rallying its leaders to embrace optimism and to cultivate a vision of what our country could be. It is about rebuilding faith in the future and instilling a collective belief in progress.
Confidence - A Catalyst for Action
In my mind, optimism fuels vision, but confidence is what turns vision into reality. Confidence is not arrogance, nor is it about projecting superiority. True confidence in leadership comes from understanding the issues at hand, coupled with the knowledge that, while we may not have all the answers yet, we possess the capability to find them. It is about moving forward with conviction, knowing that the work we do now is meaningful and necessary.
Confidence must however, always be tempered by humility. It is vital that leaders do not conflate confidence with certainty. One of the greatest mistakes leaders can make is to become overly rigid in their beliefs, assuming that their vision is the only right path. The moment confidence turns into arrogance is the moment leaders stop listening, stop adapting, and ultimately, stop leading effectively. I find this particularly challenging with politicians, of all persuasions, but my reading of Britain today, is that we want conviction politicians but politicians who are also open to ideas and collaborations, wherever they come from, if they serve the end result we all want.
Vision: Combining Optimism and Confidence
Vision is what ultimately drives change and it is what Britain so desperately needs. A clear and compelling vision that can unite people behind common goals, providing the direction and purpose necessary to navigate through uncertainty.
I believe Anthropists are visionary leaders, those who believe they can harness the power of optimism and confidence to articulate a future that people believe in and want to work towards. They are able to communicate not just the destination but also the path that will get us there. Crucially, they are able to adapt that vision as new facts comes to light, staying flexible and responsive while remaining committed to the overarching goal. The vision for Anthropy25’s campaign is therefore one of a Britain that has found its footing again, has overcome uncertainty and is ready to lead domestic solutions and on the global stage with new confidence. This vision is not built on hope alone but on pragmatic understanding.
Rebooting Britain: A Call to Action
The “Reboot Britain” campaign is a recognition that we are at a critical juncture, one where the choices we make now will determine the trajectory of our future and more importantly the future of younger generations. I want Anthropy25 to be the biggest, best and most impactful yet, with share learning, collaborative opportunities and an ability to engage with policy makers, in a way which has never occurred before.
And let me be clear it isn’t just me calling for this.
It is every child who fears they will be mugged on the way to school but dreams of a safer tomorrow; every pensioner who is worried about the cost of fuel and food, but deserves security and dignity; every business leader searching for the talent and investment to grow and build prosperity not just for themselves but for their communities; everyone working in preserving what makes this country special, our heritage, natural places and cultural inheritance and it is those public sector workers who deserve the best of facilities and support to do the best job they can, in the service of society. Ultimately, It is every single one of us, who believes that the next generation should have the hope and opportunity, to build a better quality of life than the generation before.
This is what Britain is about. This is what I personally believe in and I am optimistic, because I believe that Anthropists believe it too.
And if we can just harness that belief, that energy, then we will be able to flick that switch and do something quite remarkable. So ‘Reboot Britain’ is a call to all. If you can attend Anthropy 25, at the Eden Project in Cornwall, then please do, don’t delay in getting your tickets and getting registered at ww.Anthropy.uk - we have 2,500 spaces available, but we are now about half way in all tickets having gone.
However, I do appreciate the gathering is not for everyone, yet everyone can make their mark in helping re-boot Britain. It can be local by volunteering, or within one’s own organisation or business by becoming more positive and creating new thinking that changes practices in a positive manner. Whether you are someone who attends the gathering or not, there is one thing we can all do on a daily basis, namely choose one’s attitude. Let us believe that with an attitude of optimism, and the sharing of ideas and solutions, we can not only help the next generation feel optimistic of the future, but we can help create the conditions that this country and its people really deserve.
I believe we can, and together we will - Reboot Britain.
John O’Brien
Anthropy Founder & Chairman