Last week, our Founder and Principal, Florence Brocklesby, had the pleasure of taking part in the International Forum of Senior Executive Advisers (IFSEA) Conference 2026, held at Saddlers’ Hall in London.
Florence contributed to this year’s Samoan Circle debate, “Whose Voice Is It Anyway? The Unintended Consequences of AI Written Employee Complaints, Client Enquiries and Executive Messaging – and how should advisers respond?” a topic that prompted a lively and thought-provoking exchange of ideas among attendees.
A Dynamic and Engaging Format
The Samoan Circle format once again proved to be a powerful way to stimulate discussion. By encouraging participants to actively step into the conversation, it created an open and collaborative environment where a wide range of perspectives could be shared in real time.
We were grateful for the willingness of attendees to engage so thoughtfully and candidly with the topic. The diversity of views, spanning legal, operational and cultural considerations, highlighted just how complex and important this issue has become.
Key Themes from the Discussion
As AI continues to shape the way people communicate in the workplace, the conversation explored several critical themes:
- Authenticity and employee voice
The increasing use of AI tools in drafting complaints, grievances and internal communications raises important questions about whether organisations are hearing genuine employee perspectives, or a filtered, technology-assisted version of them. - Accountability and risk
When communications are AI-generated or heavily influenced, it can become more difficult to determine ownership, intent and responsibility, introducing both legal and cultural risks for organisations. - Balancing efficiency with trust
While AI can undoubtedly support efficiency and clarity, there was strong consensus that it must be used thoughtfully to avoid undermining trust, transparency and human connection. - The role of advisers
Advisers have a critical role to play in helping organisations navigate this evolving landscape, ensuring that the use of AI enhances rather than erodes workplace relationships and outcomes.
Continuing the Conversation
The discussion reinforced that this is not a static issue. As AI capabilities continue to evolve at pace, so too must the frameworks, policies and guidance that organisations rely on.
It is clear that there is no single “right” answer, but rather an ongoing need for dialogue, reflection and practical guidance.
Thank You
We would like to extend our sincere thanks to everyone who attended, listened and contributed to the discussion. Your openness and insights made the session both valuable and memorable.
We are proud to have been part of such an important conversation and look forward to continuing to explore how organisations can use AI responsibly while preserving authenticity, accountability and trust in workplace communication.
