Rupert Younger

Open any social media app and you’re sure to see unfounded character assassinations against leaders and organizations all over the world. How can companies protect themselves and foster a culture prepared to respond to such attacks? Drawing from his latest book “Forked Tongues” (September 2025), Rupert Younger, founding director of the Oxford University Centre for Corporate Reputation, dives into the thought process behind malicious behaviors online and provides strategies to safeguard against hostile users. His research incorporates insights from economics, psychology and personal encounters with notorious figures to outline defense mechanisms against the “dark triad traits” common among internet trolls. Attendees will learn practical strategies for bouncing back from personalized attacks and developing a supportive organizational culture. Audiences leave with a practical toolkit for turning negative energies into opportunities for strengthening character, enhancing both leadership and community resilience.