Empowering You: Lessons in Integrity, Excellence, and Courage from the KPMG Conference
The historic De Vere Hotel in Windsor became the epicentre of inspiration as over 400 KPMG employees gathered for the “Empowering You” conference — a day dedicated to igniting leadership potential, deepening personal commitment, and exploring the values that define one of the world’s most respected professional services firms.
As a keynote speaker and workshop facilitator, it was a privilege to contribute to an event charged with energy, ambition, and a shared vision for the future. KPMG’s core values — Integrity, Excellence, Courage, Together, and For Better — served not only as the heartbeat of the conference, but also as a blueprint for personal and organisational growth.
Here are three critical takeaways that resonated deeply with the theme “Empowering You”:
1. Integrity: The Anchor of Empowerment
In a rapidly changing business landscape, empowerment without integrity is fragile. True empowerment is built on trust — trust in yourself, in your colleagues, and in the organisation you represent. At KPMG, integrity is more than compliance; it’s a commitment to doing the right thing, even when it’s difficult.
During the sessions, it became clear that personal empowerment starts with ethical clarity. When we anchor our decisions in integrity, we create a workplace culture where confidence, transparency, and respect naturally thrive.
2. Excellence: The Energy of Growth
Excellence is often misunderstood as perfectionism — but in reality, it’s about a relentless commitment to progress. At “Empowering You,” the message was clear: striving for excellence means challenging yourself to grow, refine your skills, and embrace continuous improvement.
In a room of 400 professionals, there was a palpable sense of ambition — not to compete against one another, but to collectively elevate performance. Excellence in this sense becomes an act of service — delivering work that sets a higher standard for clients, colleagues, and the industry at large.
3. Courage: The Catalyst for Change
Empowerment demands courage. Courage to speak up when something needs to change. Courage to take calculated risks in pursuit of innovation. And courage to step into leadership, even when the path ahead is uncertain.
One of the most inspiring moments of the conference came from stories shared about challenging projects, where bold decisions made the difference between success and stagnation. Courage doesn’t remove fear — it transforms it into forward momentum.
Together and For Better: The Multiplier Effect
While Integrity, Excellence, and Courage formed the core of the discussion, the values of “Together” and “For Better” were woven through every interaction. Empowerment flourishes when collaboration is genuine and when every action aims to leave the organisation, the client, and the community in a better place.
The “Empowering You” conference was a masterclass in aligning corporate values with personal development. It reminded me — and all who attended — that when individuals live these values authentically, they not only advance their own careers but also strengthen the collective impact of the organisation.
As an international keynote speaker, I speak passionately about the values KPMG champions. These aren’t just corporate ideals — they are human principles that, when embraced, have the power to transform careers, teams, and entire industries.
Should your organisation or leadership team be in need of some personal or professional development in Empowerment, Integrity, excellence or Courage, please send through an email to info@courtneyorange.com or schedule a 15min discovery call https://calendly.com/courtneyorange
