Futurist Gerd Leonhard - Leadership for the Good Future at Cluster Day 2023, Barcelona
Oct 3, 2023
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Gerd Leonhard, a renowned futurist and advocate for ethical leadership, shares insights on navigating the complexities of our rapidly changing world. He emphasizes the need for leaders to focus on investing in people, planet, purpose, and prosperity. Gerd discusses the urgent transition to a green economy, the potential of cultured meat technology, and the importance of innovation in tackling climate change. He argues for a transformative mindset that prioritizes sustainability and ethical considerations in leadership, shaping a hopeful future.
Effective leadership today requires prioritizing people, planet, purpose, and prosperity to foster a sustainable future.
Generational shifts toward valuing ethics and purpose signify a profound transformation in economic values and leadership approaches.
Deep dives
The Importance of a Future-Oriented Mindset
Embracing a mindset focused on the future is crucial for harnessing potential opportunities and innovations. In places like America, a greater percentage of college graduates aspire to start their own businesses compared to countries like Switzerland, which presents a stark contrast in entrepreneurial spirit. The prevailing belief is that the future is not solely about what lies ahead but is shaped by actions taken today. As examples like self-driving cars in San Francisco and airborne vehicles in Dubai illustrate, the advancements that were once seen as distant realities are rapidly integrating into everyday life.
Technological Advances and Ethical Considerations
Emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and genetic engineering hold the promise of transformative potential, yet they also raise significant ethical concerns. The environmental impact of computing, highlighted by the greater pollution caused by certain technologies compared to traditional industries, emphasizes the urgent need for sustainable practices. Significant investments in clean energy, particularly nuclear fusion, propose solutions to energy crises, potentially alleviating broader global issues like water and food scarcity. However, as innovations progress, societal leadership must navigate the balance between technological advancement and the preservation of humanity.
Generational Change and Economic Shifts
The younger generations, particularly millennials and Gen Z, are beginning to prioritize purpose and ethics over profit, signifying a shift in economic values. As they become decision-makers, their focus will likely lean toward sustainability and community impact rather than mere financial gain. This generational change aligns with the evolving landscape of leadership, where adaptability and emotional intelligence are becoming increasingly valuable skills. With recent movements advocating for climate action and social responsibility, the narrative of the economy appears poised for transformation toward more inclusive, sustainable practices.
The Need for Purposeful Leadership
Leadership in the evolving landscape will demand a departure from traditional profit-driven frameworks toward more purposeful and socially responsible approaches. As technology continues to evolve, leaders must ensure that innovations serve humanity rather than overshadow ethical considerations. The concept of 'protopia' suggests a gradual improvement towards a desirable future, emphasizing the need for leaders to adopt a holistic viewpoint—one that recognizes the importance of human experience alongside technological progress. To effectively navigate the complexities of a rapidly changing world, leaders must foster collaboration and a collective commitment to creating a positive future while balancing innovation with ethical obligations.
This is an edited and overall improved version of my keynote at Gencat / ACCIO's Cluster Day 2023 in Barcelona.
You can watch the original version on YouTube here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAiGZrhQcwQ&t=0s
Beyond an era full of changes, we are living through a change of era. Faced with a context that advances very quickly and that forces us to create agile teams to be more competitive, in the framework of Cluster Day 2023, I explained the characteristics which leaders must have today.
The key to a good future? Invest in People, Planet, Purpose, and Prosperity. I reflect on the 3 revolutions of our era: digital, sustainability and purpose.
Download this video at https://vimeo.com/storiesfromthefuture/clusterday?share=copy
NEW: Spanish Overdub Version! https://youtu.be/4aIiMEHnO1k?si=nUytxjyK7n54dW8n
Més enllà d’una època plena de canvis, vivim un canvi d’època. Davant un context que avança molt ràpid i que ens obliga a crear equips àgils per poder ser més competitius, en el marc del Cluster Day 2023, Gerd Leonhard va exposar les característiques que ha de tenir un líder a dia d'avui.
La clau per a un bon futur? Invertir en Persones, Planeta, Propòsit i Prosperitat. L'autoanomenat optimista futurista i humanista, va dedicar una hora a reflexionar sobre les 3 revolucions de la nostra era: digital, sostenibilitat i la revolució del propòsit.
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