Takeaways

The leaders were asked to recommend how people can best take charge of their future in this fast-changing world.

Tony Johnson

There is so much uncertainty in life and business today and organisations are in a constant state of change. The next generation of leaders will be those who lean in and embrace the change, see the possibilities in the challenges and thrive in the grey. Looking for similarities not differences across skills, industries, operating models and products will enable them to swiftly and effectively adapt to ever-changing paradigms and come out in front. If you can embrace change you will open yourself up to a world of possibilities that are liberating and enlightening. Stay curious and committed to learning new things.

Mehrdad Baghai

Look in your past to see something that occurred to you that you really care about. Think about all the things you’ve learned through your education, career and experience and how they might be deployed to make a difference. I grew up in Iran and was a Bahá’í, which meant I was considered untouchable. How is it that a society thinks some people are untouchable? It took me a lot of university education, many years at McKinsey and running companies to learn and launch a not-for-profit, High Resolves, which is trying to inoculate young people against bigotry. There’s something powerful about dedicating your skills to something that affected your life at the start.

Catriona Wallace

Learn about AI and emerging technology: renewable energy, the Internet of Things, blockchain, 5G, quantum computing, nanotechnology. These are big things that are going to affect all our lives and jobs. You don’t have to do a university course. Listen to podcasts, read books and then experiment in your businesses. Listen, learn and explore.