The future of leadership is a topic that has been discussed for years, and as we approach 2030, it’s important to explore new disruptive trends that will shape the future of leadership. In this article, we will discuss six new disruptive trends that we believe will play a significant role in the future of leadership.

Trend 1: Remote Workforce

One of the biggest trends in the future of leadership is the remote workforce. With the rise of technology, remote work has become more accessible and prevalent. In 2030, we expect that most organizations will have a significant portion of their workforce working remotely. Leaders will need to adapt to this new reality and develop new skills to manage remote teams effectively.

Trend 2: Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is another disruptive trend that will shape the future of leadership. AI has the potential to revolutionize the way organizations operate and make decisions. In 2030, we expect that AI will be used extensively in leadership and decision-making processes. Leaders will need to develop new skills to manage and leverage AI effectively.

Trend 3: Emotional Intelligence

Emotional intelligence (EI) is becoming increasingly important in leadership. Leaders who possess high levels of EI are better able to understand and manage their emotions and the emotions of others. In 2030, we expect that EI will be a critical skill for leaders to possess, and organizations will prioritize hiring and promoting leaders with high levels of EI.

Trend 4: Distributed Leadership

In the future, we expect that leadership will become more distributed. Instead of relying on a single leader to make all decisions, organizations will distribute leadership responsibilities across the organization. This will require leaders to develop new skills to manage and collaborate with other leaders effectively.

Trend 5: Data-Driven Decision Making

Data-driven decision-making is another trend that we expect to see in the future of leadership. In 2030, we expect that leaders will rely heavily on data to make informed decisions. Leaders will need to develop new skills to analyze and interpret data effectively.

Trend 6: Continuous Learning

Continuous learning is becoming increasingly important in today’s rapidly changing world. In 2030, we expect that leaders will need to continuously learn and adapt to new technologies, trends, and ideas. Leaders who embrace continuous learning will be better equipped to navigate the challenges of the future.

Addition resources:

Armitage, J., & Keeble-Allen, D. (2019). The future of leadership: Insights from research. Chartered Management Institute. https://www.managers.org.uk/-/media/chartered-management-institute/documents/insights-and-resources/thought-leadership/white-papers/the-future-of-leadership.pdf

Hesselbein, F., & Goldsmith, M. (Eds.). (2019). The leader of the future 2: Visions, strategies and practices for the new era. John Wiley & Sons.

Kets de Vries, M. F. (2020). The future of leadership: Where do we go from here? In M. F. Kets de Vries, L. C. M. Mom, & E. Florent-Treacy (Eds.), The Palgrave handbook of leadership in transforming Asia (pp. 1-21). Palgrave Macmillan.

Kim, W. C., & Mauborgne, R. (2017). Blue ocean leadership. Harvard Business Review Press.

O’Reilly, C. A., & Tushman, M. L. (2013). Organizational ambidexterity: Past, present, and future. Academy of Management Perspectives, 27(4), 324-338. https://doi.org/10.5465/amp.2013.0103

Vielmetter, G., & Sell, Y. (2014). Leadership 2030: The six megatrends you need to understand to lead your company into the future. AMACOM.

Laker, B. (2020, August 5). This is what leadership will be in 2030. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/benjaminlaker/2020/08/05/this-is-what-leadership-will-be-in-2030/

Grant Thornton. (2019). The future of leadership: anticipating 2030. https://www.grantthornton.global/en/insights/articles/leadership-2030/

Question to ponder:

What are five leadership skills for the future that you will need?
Will people flourish and businesses be successful? Or just businesses?

In conclusion, the future of leadership is filled with new disruptive trends that will shape the way organizations operate and make decisions. Leaders who adapt and develop new skills to manage these trends effectively will be better equipped to lead their organizations to success in 2030 and beyond. We hope that this article has provided you with valuable insights into the future of leadership.

Future of leadership