What leadership skills will become increasingly important in the next 5 – 10 years?

As the business landscape evolves at an unprecedented pace, leaders must adapt their skillsets to navigate the challenges of tomorrow. A recent survey indicates that 70% of leaders recognize critical skills gaps within their organizations, underscoring the need for a clear understanding of future leadership requirements.

To address this pressing issue, we’ve gathered insights from four expert contributors who offer diverse perspectives on essential leadership skills for the next 5-10 years. Their collective wisdom highlights emerging themes such as emotional intelligence, adaptability, and effective communication, particularly in fostering inclusive environments and managing remote teams.

Our experts also emphasize the growing importance of technological literacy, with a focus on integrating AI and emerging technologies into leadership strategies. Additionally, they stress the need for leaders to cultivate resilience, embrace continuous learning, and develop a global mindset to navigate an increasingly complex and interconnected business world.

These valuable insights will guide decision-makers and event planners in preparing for the future of leadership. Let’s explore our first expert’s thoughts on these pivotal skills.

Didier Marlier

Didier Marlier, a renowned leadership consultant, author, and “agent provocateur” in change management, identifies ten key leadership skills that will become increasingly important in the next 5-10 years. As a professor at prestigious institutions like IMD and INSEAD, and co-author of “Engaging Leadership,” Marlier offers a unique perspective on future leadership requirements.

According to Marlier, leaders will need to progress “from contents leading what I know to context leading, even when I don’t slow leadership.” This shift emphasizes adaptability in uncertain environments. He also stresses the importance of “moving from polarization, polarizing tactics to embracing cognitive diversity,” recognizing that diverse thinking leads to better results.

Key leadership skills for the future include:

1. Engaging communities rather than leading hierarchical teams
2. Focusing on social impact alongside financial metrics
3. Fostering unconditional collaboration instead of earned trust
4. Identifying and challenging organizational orthodoxies
5. Developing self-critical thinking to understand personal triggers and biases
6. Transitioning from transactional to relational leadership styles
7. Evolving from directors to educators within their organizations

Marlier emphasizes the need for leaders to move “from EBITDA focus only to social impact as well,” highlighting the growing importance of corporate social responsibility. He also advocates for a shift “from critical thinking to self-critical thinking,” encouraging leaders to recognize their own thought patterns and emotional triggers.

As leadership continues to evolve, Marlier’s insights provide a roadmap for developing the skills necessary to navigate an increasingly complex business landscape. Event planners and decision-makers should consider these emerging leadership competencies when selecting speakers or designing development programs for their organizations.

Roger Delves

Roger Delves, a distinguished leadership expert with extensive experience in organizational transformation, emphasizes the critical evolution of leadership skills in the post-pandemic era. He asserts that the future of leadership will increasingly hinge on behavioral skills rather than traditional cognitive competencies. As teams become more diverse and hybrid work models prevail, leaders must prioritize relational dynamics to succeed in their roles.

1. Behavioral Skills Over Cognitive Competencies: Roger highlights that while foundational skills remain necessary, they are merely “hygiene factors” that do not differentiate successful leaders from their peers. Instead, he identifies emotional intelligence, trust-building, and psychological safety as pivotal attributes for effective leadership. For example, leaders who can create environments where team members feel safe to express their ideas and concerns will foster greater collaboration and innovation.
2. Transformational Leadership as a Key Framework: This approach aligns with the concept of transformational leadership, which Roger argues is essential for navigating the complexities of modern organizational landscapes. By mastering transformational leadership competencies, leaders can enhance team performance and drive organizational success in an increasingly unpredictable business environment.
3. Influencing and Persuasion Skills: Furthermore, Roger points out that leaders must be adept at influencing and persuading stakeholders, as these skills will be vital in managing relationships effectively. Leaders who excel in these areas can create stronger connections with clients and team members alike.

As we transition to insights from our next speaker, it is clear that the evolution of leadership requires a shift towards a more human-centric approach, complementing the perspectives shared by previous contributors on the importance of emotional intelligence and adaptability in future leadership roles.

Itai Green

Itai Green, founder and CEO of Innovate Israel and a globally recognized expert in corporate open innovation, offers a unique perspective on the leadership skills that will become increasingly important in the next 5-10 years. His insights complement previous speakers’ views while emphasizing technological adaptability and resilience.

According to Itai Green, the key leadership skills that will be crucial in the coming years are:

1. Staying updated on industry trends and deeply understanding emerging technologies
2. Fostering collaboration both within and outside the organization
3. Quickly adapting to technological advancements and integrating them into business processes
4. Developing resilience to navigate disruptions like pandemics, climate crises, and geopolitical tensions
5. Ability to pivot strategies rapidly in response to market changes

Itai’s emphasis on technological understanding and adaptation stands out as a unique insight. He stresses the importance of leaders not just being aware of new technologies, but deeply comprehending their potential impact on business processes. This aligns with the increasing role of AI and other emerging technologies in shaping business landscapes.

Another key point Itai highlights is the need for collaboration coupled with the elimination of internal politics. He states, “Collaboration, both within and outside the organization, and remove internal politics. This will enable resource sharing with others and drive innovation.” This focus on breaking down silos and fostering a culture of open innovation sets his perspective apart.

Itai’s insights on resilience and the ability to pivot quickly complement previous speakers’ views on adaptability. He specifically mentions the need to navigate disruptions like pandemics, climate crises, and geopolitical tensions, underscoring the importance of leaders being prepared for a wide range of potential challenges.

As we continue to explore expert perspectives on future leadership skills, Itai Green’s insights provide a valuable addition to our understanding, particularly in the realms of technological adaptation and organizational resilience.

I. Stephanie Boyce

I. Stephanie Boyce, the first person of color to serve as President of the Law Society of England and Wales and a renowned advocate for diversity and inclusion in the legal profession, offers valuable insights on future leadership skills:

Key leadership skills for the next 5-10 years include resilience, adaptability, effective communication with empathy, ethical stewardship, technological savviness, and continuous learning.

I. Stephanie emphasizes the importance of resilience in leadership, describing it as essential and permeating her professional career. She reframes failures as opportunities for growth, encouraging leaders to develop a growth mindset. This perspective aligns with the increasing need for adaptability in rapidly changing environments, complementing previous speakers’ focus on agility and innovation.

Key skills highlighted by I. Stephanie include:

1. Resilience: Essential for bouncing back from setbacks and viewing failures as growth opportunities.
2. Adaptability: Crucial for remaining agile and flexible in a rapidly changing environment.
3. Effective Communication with Empathy: Vital for fostering cohesion and ensuring greater productivity.
4. Ethical Stewardship: Important for deploying technologies like AI with integrity, empathy, and compliance with regulations.
5. Continuous Learning: Necessary for staying relevant and adapting to new challenges.

I. Stephanie’s insights highlight the interconnectedness of these skills, suggesting that leaders who combine resilience, adaptability, effective communication, ethical stewardship, and continuous learning will be best equipped to navigate the challenges of the future. As we continue to explore leadership skills for the coming decade, other experts may offer additional perspectives on how these competencies can be developed and applied in various industries and contexts.