This talk shares what emerges when we truly listen across communities, across divides, and across the stories that shape us. In a year marked by tension, geopolitical unrest, and increasingly polarised discourse, it returns us to a fundamental truth: at the heart of the work we influence are children, and those we support carry the responsibility of preparing them for a future we cannot yet see. As advisers, our work operates at a different level building capacity in others, shaping systems, and influencing the conditions in which educators lead. Drawing on real encounters and grounded in core educational values, this session explores how we can model and enable the practices we believe in: listening deeply while challenging thoughtfully, creating the conditions for difficult conversations, examining assumptions, and equipping school leaders to help young people navigate complexity with both compassion and critical thinking. This is a talk for advisers who understand that our influence ripples outward and that building the capacity of others to connect and lead courageously is where real, lasting change begins.