Leadership of the future
Faced with an unpredictable market and dynamic social change, today's young leaders face many challenges. It is up to them how the organizational culture of the future will be shaped. How to adapt to changing reality?
As we mentioned in our last article, there are times when emotional intelligence and sensitive leadership are key pillars of management, playing an essential role in shaping the work environment. What was once considered a weakness — a leader's attentiveness to employee problems in the face of an uncertain reality — is today seen as the driving force behind a responsible and effective functioning of the company. These are not just buzzwords, but real needs that shape the functioning of organizations, especially in the context of promoting the values and strategies of DEI (diversity, equity, inclusion).
The modern world provides many tools to support the profitability and profitability of companies. However, in order to use them effectively, it is necessary to take care of the mental condition of both employees and the leaders themselves. Developing the ability to manage emotions — own and team — contributes to the creation of a work environment conducive not only to efficiency, but also to building friendly professional relationships. The integration of generations is also becoming a significant challenge, which in ageing societies is one of the priorities of leadership. This applies to both senior leaders, who are increasingly changing their approach, and young executives who bring new values to the organization.
According to experts
During the webinar of SWPS University, business leaders, Maria Sokołowska and Daniel Stępiec, discussed topics related to change management in the corporate environment. During the conversation, they listed key skills that leaders should focus on now. Adaptation to rapidly changing conditions is one of the most important soft skills. It not only allows you to adequately respond to current events that may affect the stability of the company, but also to better understand the changing technological reality. Maria Sokołowska stressed that adaptation means not only adaptation to external factors, but also the ability to react to changes within the organization, such as the deployment of new people.
For young leaders, communication and empathy skills are key. Experts also emphasized the importance of strategic thinking, which changes with the dynamics of modern organizations. Less often, 5- or 10-year plans are created, replacing them with more flexible strategies for 2-3 years. According to experts, strategic thinking is a skill that develops through one's own experiences and mistakes. Support from mentors and good onboarding can significantly help young leaders, provided they are not implemented in the spirit of micromanagement.
A technique that supports the development of leaders is the observation of the work environment and the actions of more experienced managers. Experts point out the importance of training, but also the development of active listening skills, which are best practiced in practice. At the same time, they pointed out that many companies still have not implemented these values in their programs and need improvement in this regard.
The last key issue that was highlighted during the webinar was the ability of leaders to manage themselves and their emotions. Without introspection and reflection on one's own attitude, even the best management techniques prove to be insufficient, because, as you know, example goes from above. The psychological well-being of leaders is no longer a taboo subject. Relaxation and satisfaction of leaders translates into security of relationships in the team and a better acceptance of changing working conditions. This attitude allows you to see the individual needs of employees, which brings results in the form of healthier professional relationships and better functioning of the organization.
Report
Report Nieuwe leiders, published by Wyser in January 2023, examines the challenges and expectations facing a new generation of leaders in a dynamically changing business environment. More than 50% of leaders take up management positions before the age of 30, heralding the era of young leaders who are redefining the concept of leader through their practice.
Wyser, as a global expert in the search and selection for middle and senior management positions, recruits individuals for leadership positions from thousands of companies full of emerging talent. Based on this experience, the company published a report in which it highlighted 5 key skills necessary for leaders in today's world.
- From process to people (New skill — empathy) More and more companies are beginning to see that it is people that are their greatest asset, which makes empathy a key quality of leadership. Natalia Dernowska, HR Director at Hasco-Lek, one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in Poland, emphasizes:
The modern management style is based on emotional intelligence. Business skills alone are no longer enough — they need to be complemented by interpersonal skills. It is thanks to great people and a strong organizational culture that everything else works. With the development of AI, interpersonal skills will be even more valued. Business competencies can be learned, but empathy is unique and irreplaceable, which makes it extremely valuable.
- Greater Unpredictability (New Ability — Adaptation)
The world is changing at a rapid pace, and challenges such as climate change, economic crises and armed conflicts are forcing the evolution of leadership styles. The modern leader must be flexible and able to make decisions quickly:
In these times of uncertainty, companies are looking for leaders who can make decisions intuitively, even without having complete data on their consequences. The Covid-19 pandemic has shown companies how valuable and rare a skill adaptation is. — Piotr Wajgielt, Wyser.
- Accelerated Rate of Change (New Skill — Curiosity)
In a business reality where new competitors can become market leaders in a short time, leaders must constantly follow emerging trends and show incessant curiosity:
In addition to the standard qualities such as resilience, flexibility and the ability to communicate, I look for that 'spark of fighting'. There is not always a hunger for knowledge and a desire to grow, but they are key to maintaining an advantage in today's ultra-competitive world. — Luca Gatti, Gi Group Holding.
- Rapidly changing work culture (New skill — openness to change)
Piotr Wajgielt from Wyser notes:
The world of work has undergone tremendous changes in recent years. New leaders need to be open to new ways of doing things and creating work cultures that foster work-life balance.
Luca Gatti adds:
Leaders need to foster a flexible approach to work and push boundaries where necessary. I don't care about rigid graphics — I want my team to be happy and efficient. What matters is the results, not the way to achieve them.
- Greater Importance of Ethics (New Skill — Clear Vision)
Faced with a growing emphasis on social responsibility and ethics, leaders need to be aware of the impact of their organizations at every level.
As explained by Sławomir Marek, HR Director:
Leaders should be able to clearly and precisely articulate a vision that will build trust and motivate people in times of uncertainty. They must live up to their values and be willing to make tough decisions to defend them.
summary
Modern leadership requires leaders not only traditional business skills, but also soft competencies such as empathy, adaptability and openness to change. They are the foundation for effective management in a dynamically changing environment. The rise of technology, the increasing unpredictability of the market and the changing work culture mean that leaders need to be flexible, curious about the world and aware of the ethical aspects of their actions to build organizations based on values and trust. The era of young leaders is redefining the concept of leadership, emphasizing the integration of diverse generations, personal development and the creation of a work environment in which the psychological well-being of employees and leaders becomes a priority.
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