In his keynote, “Leadership In The New World,” Alan urged attendees to redefine leadership not as a title but as consistent, value-driven action. He reminded the audience that leadership shows up in every choice and every interaction. Drawing from personal experiences, he shared that small acts of gratitude, like a thank-you note or a dinner voucher, can drive performance and boost morale more than most realize. He encouraged leaders to delegate, empower others, and trust in their teams' potential rather than striving to be the smartest in the room.

He also joined the panel “Balancing Personal And Professional Life At The Senior Level,” where he emphasized that professional purpose and personal fulfillment are intertwined. For Alan, leadership is about showing up with commitment and readiness while also creating room for joy, connection, and autonomy. He shared that true loneliness in leadership comes not from isolation but from the reluctance to empower others.

During the panel “Our Biggest Startup Mistakes & What We Learned!”, Alan spoke about the dangers of ego in leadership and stressed the need for founders to bring in the right people, especially in areas like marketing and sales. He emphasized hiring for attitude and adaptability rather than just experience and warned against placing the wrong people in key roles. Alan also highlighted the importance of psychological safety, encouraging leaders to support risk-taking and treat mistakes as learning opportunities.

During the fireside chat “Purpose Over Pace: Is 'Work Hard, Retire Early' Obsolete?” Alan challenged traditional views of retirement. He argued that as long as one is contributing meaningfully, they are not retired. Through storytelling, he emphasized the power of staying active, giving back, and mentoring others. He shared his vision for inclusive, multigenerational communities that integrate purpose and service into daily living. According to Alan, we are not light switches that flip off with age. We carry value, wisdom, and energy worth sharing until the very end.

Alan L. Krishnan’s presence at the leadership summit was a call to leaders to focus on what truly matters. Across every session, he left attendees with a clear message: lead with heart, give generously, and use your platform to lift others.