The workplace is changing all of the time, so what will the next generation of business executives need? Venkatasubramanian (Subbu) Hariharan, Managing Director, Canon Middle East and Türkiye, kicks off the answers this month with the following:
The next generation of business executives will likely need a diverse set of skills to navigate an ever-evolving business landscape. Success will increasingly depend on leaders who can bridge technology, innovation and sustainability while maintaining a human touch. Leaders of tomorrow will need to keep people and customers at the heart of everything they do with a good balance of technology, innovation, sustainability and diversity
Some key skills that could be crucial for future business leaders include:
- At the foundation, digital fluency has become non-negotiable. Future executives must do more than just understand AI, cloud technologies and cybersecurity; they need to grasp how these tools can transform their industries and create new opportunities. But technical knowledge alone isn’t enough. The most effective leaders will be those who can harness these technologies while maintaining authentic human connections and fostering innovation within their teams.
- The ability to navigate uncertainty with grace and purpose has never been more crucial. As global markets become increasingly interconnected, leaders must develop what might be called ‘adaptive intelligence’ – the ability to remain agile and responsive while maintaining a clear strategic vision. This includes building genuine cross-cultural relationships and understanding diverse market dynamics.
- Purpose-driven leadership; this means going beyond traditional profit motives to consider broader societal impact and stakeholder value. In addition to the ability to inspire and motivate teams, communicate effectively and make informed decisions will continue to be important in the business world.
- Customer-centricity is evolving, too. Tomorrow’s leaders must anticipate and respond to rapidly shifting customer behaviors while maintaining authentic connections.
- Sustainability leadership has moved from a ‘nice-to-have’ to a core competency. Modern executives must deeply understand how to implement circular economy principles and drive environmental responsibility while maintaining profitability. Canon’s commitment to reducing lifecycle CO₂ emissions by 50% by 2030 illustrates how sustainability is becoming integrated into core business strategy.
- Talent development has also taken on new dimensions. Future leaders need to ensure that their organisations strive to have a strong employee value proposition, to attract the best talent fit for purpose. Future executives must excel at building diverse, inclusive teams and creating environments where innovation can flourish. The leaders of tomorrow need to be highly self-aware of the value of human connections and bring the old and new generations together to build a strong, cohesive, collaborative workforce.
- The ability to forge and maintain strategic partnerships has become another crucial skill for future executives. As demonstrated by Canon’s ONE Club initiative we rolled out last year, successful leaders must move beyond traditional business relationships to create deeper, more collaborative partnerships.
These skills represent a fundamental shift from traditional management approaches to a more holistic, adaptable and human-centered leadership style. The most successful future executives will be those who can weave these capabilities together while staying true to their values and driving sustainable growth in an increasingly complex world.
Zaid Ghattas, META Regional Lead, AMD:
The next generation of business executives will need to evolve their skillsets in line with the fast-moving pace of technology, which is enabling organisations to become more productive and data-driven. Understanding the potential of technologies such as AI, cloud and big data analytics is key for future leaders who want to build high-performing teams, unlock new revenue streams and create outstanding customer experiences.
The greatest asset a business has is ultimately its people – so regardless of industry, successful leadership is about the ability to lead people as much as it is about running smooth business operations. One of the biggest opportunities, but also biggest challenges, for leaders of the next generation will be equipping employees with the tools that give them a competitive advantage.
The pace of technological change is so fast that organisations cannot afford to delay deploying technologies that will make their employees more efficient, more productive and more data-driven. Furthermore, employees are ultimately like any other consumer of technology. They want to use the latest and greatest devices, applications and have access to as much information as possible.
Take the phenomenon of Generative AI as an example. If your employees are using tools like ChatGPT in their personal lives, they will expect to be able to use it at work and won’t wait to be granted permission.
However, deploying AI technologies in the workplace must be done in a way that protects the business and its employees from potential risks. There is an onus on the business to ensure their employees are using AI ethically and responsibly. So, future leaders must be nimble when it comes to implementing policies and guidance to ensure employees can enjoy the benefits of exciting new technologies without putting the business at risk.
As well as giving employees the tools they need, next-generation business leaders must also take responsibility for providing them with a vision which they can buy into and gives them purpose. The competition for skills is fierce – particularly in a fast-growing region like the Middle East with its ambitious transformation agenda.
The most talented and skilled employees can effectively guarantee that they will earn great salaries, benefits and rewards. These are now hygiene factors that are expected rather than desired. To attract top talent, businesses must sell their strategy and vision – both to potential employees – but also to their existing ones to ensure they remain engaged and feel a sense of achievement through their work.
In summary, the next generation of business executives must empower their teams operationally – embracing technologies like AI – and be data-driven in their decision-making. At the same time, they must understand the company’s broader vision and how their team can contribute positively towards achieving its strategic objectives.
Charlotte Lucy Hall, Chief Marketing Officer and Co-founder, Zinc:
American cartoonist, Scott Adams, famously said: “Every skill you acquire doubles your odds of success,” and there’s truth in that. For the next generation of business executives, developing critical skills early in their careers might double their odds of success in their professional lives.
One of the most important skills to focus on for business executives is resilience – particularly for those who aspire to start their own business. My partner Luke and I experienced firsthand the importance of resilience while securing funding for our start-up. The funding round was a pivotal moment, often shaping how the corporate world views your business. For us, the journey was especially challenging. We launched our outreach during an economic downturn, right as the tech bubble burst and Silicon Valley Bank collapsed. With valuations dropping and investors becoming more cautious, we, as first-time founders seeking Series A funding, had to overcome significant obstacles – compounded by an increasingly rigorous due diligence process. Despite the odds, we remained determined and hopeful.
On a personal level, Luke and I were navigating a difficult fertility journey while also balancing the pressure of presenting our best selves to potential investors. The emotional toll was immense. We faced numerous rejections, in part because we didn’t have the traditional credentials – neither of us attended Oxbridge nor worked at a FANG company, which put us at a disadvantage from the start. Additionally, I had the added stress of deciding when to disclose my pregnancy to investors – an issue that still presents challenges for pregnant founders today.
Through it all, we learned the power of perseverance in the face of rejection, a crucial skill for any business leader. There will be times for business executives when their personal and professional lives overlap and being able to navigate both effectively is vital for any business leader. Despite some of the setbacks and challenges we faced in our journey, Luke and I remained committed to our vision and each other, and I’m incredibly proud of what we have achieved in the last few years. In 2023 alone, we raised £5 million, welcomed a baby and moved houses – all at once. It was our ambition that bore the fruit of our determination and hard work. Ambition is also another essential skill for the next generation of business executives. It fuels the drive to achieve, pushes individuals to pursue goals and helps them to stay focused on long-term success. For emerging leaders, ambition isn’t just about wanting to climb the corporate ladder – it’s about having the vision and determination to create innovative solutions and take calculated risks that can transform industries. Ambition motivates executives to overcome obstacles, whether they are market downturns, personal struggles or the pressure of competing in a crowded field. Combined with resilience, multitasking and the ability to keep moving forward despite setbacks – these are the skills that will help executives thrive in the business environment.
Mabothe Mojapelo, VP of People, Makosi:
The business landscape is evolving at an unprecedented pace. Tomorrow’s executives must be adaptable, forward-thinking and deeply attuned to the shifting global, technological and social environments. Here are the skills that will define the next generation of business executives:
AI and data literacy: Understanding Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data analytics is no longer optional. Data increasingly drives business decisions and the ability to interpret data and translate insights into strategic action will be a differentiator.
Scenario planning: Disruption is inevitable. The best leaders don’t just react; they anticipate. Critical skills will be thinking through multiple possible futures and preparing with those in mind. Be it dealing with regulatory changes or emerging technologies, executives must be adept at forecasting and pivoting as needed.
Diversity, equity and inclusion: Building diverse teams is mainly about creating an environment where different perspectives drive innovation. Our society is evolving beyond binary gender identities and leaders need to embrace inclusive language and policies that reflect this shift.
Empathy: People want to work for leaders who understand their challenges, respect their individuality and genuinely care about their wellbeing. Leaders are responsible for ensuring people feel valued and motivated to perform at their best.
Sustainability and ESG: Ethical decision-making and sustainable business practices are now key indicators of long-term success. Leaders need to integrate environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors into their strategies because consumers, investors and employees demand it and rightly so.
Intrapreneurship: Innovation does not just happen at the start-up level. Leaders should promote a culture where employees are encouraged to think like entrepreneurs – testing new ideas, taking calculated risks and learning from failures.
Geopolitical awareness: In an interconnected world, geopolitical shifts impact everything from supply chains to talent mobility. Executives must be able to assess risks and opportunities across different markets, ensuring their businesses remain stable and competitive. This requires a keen understanding of the global business landscape’s political, social and economic trends.
Reverse mentorship: The workplace is rapidly changing, driven by a tech-savvy and socially conscious generation. Leaders recognise that learning goes both ways. Reverse mentorship can help executives stay relevant and connected to emerging trends. The best executives of the future won’t be the ones who think they have all the answers – they will recognise that learning both ways.
Final thoughts
The role of a business executive continues to evolve as the focus shifts to leading with vision, integrity and adaptability to create and maintain sustainable, inclusive and resilient environments.
