Leadership2 min read
Where is your company heading – and who is leading it there? In a world where change is the new constant, the leader’s role is changing fundamentally. It is not enough to be an expert or to have all the answers. You need to be able to lead people even when the answers do not yet exist.
According to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025, companies will expect leaders to have skills that allow them to lead amid uncertainty, pressure and constant change.
The most sought-after competencies of tomorrow’s leaders
Analytical thinking – making decisions based on data, not impressions.
Creativity and initiative – finding new paths where there is no manual.
Resilience and flexibility – the ability to act under pressure and without certainty of the outcome.
Technological literacy – understanding how technology affects the business.
Leadership and social influence – inspiring, motivating and leading with respect.
“Future-ready organisations don’t just adopt new technologies. They rethink relationships – between time, place, people and the purpose of work.”
— Lynda Gratton, Professor of Management Practice at London Business School, an expert on the future of work and organisations, and author of “The 100-Year Life”
What kind of leadership do we need today – not in five years?
1. Deciding without all the answers
Leaders cannot wait until they have all the information. They have to act on what they have – and be ready to change course as things develop.
2. Supporting development and innovation
A good leader gives the team room to experiment. They do not ask “Will it pay off?” but “What can we learn from it?”. They foster a culture in which initiative is valued, not punished.
3. Technological awareness
You do not have to be a technology expert, but you do have to understand how technology affects your business – from AI to digital collaboration tools.
4. A focus on people and relationships
In a world of hybrid work and multigenerational teams, managing is not enough. Leaders must be able to give work meaning, build trust, listen to the team’s needs and respond sensitively to its dynamics.
“When we look back, we see a clear, logical story – but that clarity is the product of hindsight, not foresight. The confidence we have in our decisions often says less about whether they are right than about how much sense the story makes to us.”
— Daniel Kahneman, psychologist, Nobel laureate in economics and author of “Thinking, Fast and Slow”
What can you do as a leader today to build the future?
Decide on the basis of data and testing: Don’t wait for the perfect plan – test, evaluate and adjust as you go.
Make room for initiative: Motivate your team with the question “What can we try?” instead of waiting passively for instructions.
Develop your own competencies: Sharpen your analytical thinking, your grasp of technology and your ability to respond quickly to change.
Create an environment for growth: People develop where they feel support and trust and have opportunities to learn every day.
The leaders of the future do not always bring all the answers. But they bring clarity where uncertainty reigns. They can act even when they know less.
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