Why attend?
We think of great ideas as being conjured from thin air; but cognitive scientist, George Newman, argues that they’re actually discovered, unearthed and polished through a process that anyone can learn.
Join us, in partnership with Aird & Berlis LLP and Robert Half, for an exclusive in-person Eye Of The Executive event with George Newman, Associate Professor at the Rotman School of Management (UofT) and a leading expert on creativity and innovation. George’s research has been featured in The New York Times, The Economist, BBC, Scientific American, Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, and The Washington Post.
George will share insights from his new book, How Great Ideas Happen: The Hidden Steps Behind Breakthrough Success, a powerful, research-backed reframe of creativity as a skill, not a mystery. Drawing from vivid stories across art, science, and business, he reveals why breakthrough thinking is less about “genius” and more about discovery, a repeatable process that leaders can use to uncover, refine, and unlock better ideas inside their organizations. All registrants will receive a copy of the book.
This event is for CEOs and senior executives who are building, transforming, and scaling, and who want a sharper, more practical approach to innovation. Expect fresh thinking, immediately usable frameworks, and high-calibre conversation with peers who are navigating the same pressure, pace, and complexity.
Attendees will learn:
- Why originality is overrated
- The benefits of being a “problem finder”
- What the “creative cliff” is, and how to get past it
- The overlooked power of subtraction
Our in-person event, tailored specifically for CEOs and senior executives, will begin with a networking reception and keynote with George Newman. The evening will conclude with another networking reception, providing an opportunity to connect with the PEO Leadership community.
Registration closes at 11:00PM EST on February 1st. Space is limited and only those who register will be able to attend. For more information, contact our head of marketing and events, Joanna Thommee at jthommee@peo-leadership.com
AGENDA
Join us for an afternoon of strategy, collaboration, connection and empowerment specifically designed for CEOs and senior executives.
| 5:00 PM - 5:30 PM | Check-in & Registration |
| 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM | Keynote Presentation by George Newman |
| 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM | Networking Reception |
Our Speaker
George Newman
George Newman
George E. Newman is a cognitive scientist who studies creativity, identity, and the construction of meaning.
He is an Associate Professor of Organizational Behaviour at the University of Toronto. Prior to that, he was an Associate Professor at the Yale School of Management, where also held affiliated appointments in the Departments of Psychology and Cognitive Science.
His book, How Great Ideas Happen: The Hidden Steps Behind Breakthrough Success, reframes creativity not as a mysterious flash of genius, but as a process of discovery: one grounded in research and practiced by the world’s most successful innovators. Drawing on vivid examples from art, science, and business, George reveals a repeatable method anyone can use to uncover, refine, and unlock great ideas hiding in plain sight. Laurie Santos (The Happiness Lab), says that the book “turns our usual thinking about creativity on its head. Newman shows us how creativity isn’t some mysterious force reserved for a lucky few, but a skill we can all develop. If you’ve ever felt like creativity was sometimes out of reach, this is the guide you’ve been waiting for.”
A leading expert on creativity, he has published more than 60 articles in leading academic journals and his research has been featured in popular media outlets such as The New York Times, Scientific American, The Wall Street Journal, and The Economist. He has nearly two decades of experience speaking to executive audiences and offers a range of seminars on how to boost innovation and foster insight, which he has presented to audiences in North America, Europe, and Asia.
Leon Goren
Leon Goren
Leon Goren believes in purposeful leadership – the type that requires us to challenge the status quo, anticipate the future and be confident enough to step outside of our comfort zone to inspire and help those around us excel.
Leon is an authority on leadership and business strategy as he is consistently invited to address various business audiences, including the graduating classes of Chartered Accountants. His thought leadership is published in the CA Magazine, The National Post and The Globe and Mail.
Leon is a current member of the Umbra and IHHP Advisory Boards. He is a former member of the North York Aquatic Club Board of Directors.
Leon is a CPA, CA. He is married with children and is active in sports, including triathlons and skiing.
To connect with Leon, you can find him on Twitter and LinkedIn.
Meditation For Mortals
Meditation For Mortals
We’re used to imagining creativity as a lightbulb moment - sudden, mysterious, reserved for the gifted few. But what if ideas aren’t conjured from thin air? What if they’re discovered - more like precious artifacts that we unearth and refine?
In How Great Ideas Happen, cognitive scientist George Newman draws on cutting-edge research to show that creativity isn’t magic, it’s method. The most successful innovators don’t wait to be struck by brilliance; their creative process is more like archeology. As keen-eyed explorers, they scan the terrain, dig with intention, and, with a little luck, find gold.
With vivid examples from the arts, science, and business, Newman shows how creativity often comes from discovering what was already there. For example, how Jackson Pollock tapped into deep patterns in nature to create his famous “drip” paintings; how Korean filmmakers created an entirely new genre by closely studying foreign films; or, how Paul Simon made Graceland by carefully sifting through previously recorded material for what he could take away.
By revealing the hidden steps behind breakthrough success, How Great Ideas Happen uncovers a repeatable method that anyone can follow, reframing creativity not as a rare gift, but as a universal capacity waiting to be unlocked through exploration. The creative process is an adventure of ideas - this book is your guide.
About PEO Leadership & Member Stories
If you would like to hear more about the difference that PEO Leadership can make in your career and business trajectory, reach out! Our peer advisory and executive coaching services have significantly changed the lives of many leaders. We are here to maximize your potential. Contact Joanna Thommee at jthommee@peo-leadership.com for more details.
