Being courageous, daring to be different in making change and recognising your own talent in the process were the key messages from Damian Hughes, guest speaker at IoD Suffolk’s annual conference.

The event, entitled “The Challenge of Changes, was held at Stoke by Nayland Golf, Hotel & Spa and was sponsored by Ensors, Barker Gotelee, Pound Gates and Crafted.

Mr Hughes, a change management consultant and sports psychologist, and founder of Liquid Thinker, showed the 70 delegates at the event how the methods used by great leaders can be applied to business.

He explained how the way in which leaders react to events (how they believe, think and say) are key to shaping and influencing the outcome. Frames of reference could sometimes become embedded and great leaders recognised this flaw and were able to over-ride it, he said.

Also speaking at the event was Fernando Peire, star of Channel Five TV series The Restaurant Inspector and director of famous Michelin restaurant The Ivy. As well as the keynote speakers, delegates had a choice of syndicate sessions.

David Hall, director of The Ideas Centre, who chaired the conference , said in his introduction: “The universe of business is changing at an amazing rate and the snag is we get trapped, which could end in a phenomenal reality gap. We have to engage with the process of doing things differently.”

For details of future IoD Suffolk events, the next of which is a wine tasting with Thos. Peatling on June 12, visit www.iod.com/suffolkevents .