Why Leadership 3.0 is the answer to what the changing world of work needs (according to the World Economic Forum)

The threat

Do you have leaders who are equipped for the challenges we will face in 2030? Traditional management is being redefined and this volatile leadership landscape is leaving businesses ill-prepared for what is coming.

The recent Future of Jobs Report 2025 by the World Economic Forum shines a light on the range of leadership skills that will be necessary to shape the global labour market - and we need to take stock of where we are failing.

The report is a comprehensive analysis of more than 1,000 employers, and paints a picture of a fast-evolving professional world where the traditional skills that have served us well in the past need to be replaced with new ones and a transformed leadership culture.

It reinforces the need for what I have called Leadership 3.0 - the leadership framework that focuses on the softer skills required for a future-ready leader.

What the future looks like

The "Future of Jobs Report 2025" outlines a workplace reshaped by technological advancements, economic uncertainty, demographic shifts and the green transition. 

But while machines and AI in particular are taking over routine tasks, human skills are becoming ever more valuable, particularly in leadership.

Among the "skills on the rise", several stand out as crucial for any leader:

• Leadership and Social Influence: The capacity to inspire, motivate, and guide others remains critical.

• Resilience, Flexibility, and Agility: Leaders must guide their teams through constant flux and unexpected challenges.

• Creative Thinking: Innovation and unconventional problem-solving are essential to staying competitive.

• Analytical Thinking: The ability to dissect complex information and formulate solutions remains paramount.

• Technological Literacy: While not demanding deep coding knowledge, leaders need to understand how AI and Big Data impact strategy and operations.

Leadership 3.0: The Human-Centric Approach

This is where Leadership 3.0 comes in. My model is built on the fundamental understanding that in an increasingly uncertain world, the skills that will be increasingly in demand are the human, softer skills that foster employee engagement, a sense of connection and purpose, and an understanding of what will deliver higher performance.

At the heart of my Leadership 3.0 model are competencies like: 

• Active Listening: This isn’t just hearing, it is about truly listening and understanding what is being said; fostering trust and developing engagement.

• Feedforward: Shifting from looking back on people’s mistakes to focusing on future solutions, actionable improvements and creating a growth-oriented culture.

• Positive Feedback & Constructive Conversations: Becoming adept at the sort of  communication that builds morale, encourages development, and tackles performance issues positively.

• Tackling Difficult Conversations: Equipping leaders with the confidence and tools to navigate challenging situations, resolving conflicts, and driving clarity and progress.

• Empathetic Emotional Intelligence: Being aware of your leadership traits, where you are strong and where and when your leadership style lets you down.

These aren't just "nice-to-have" skills; they are foundational for leaders and businesses who want to be successful in attracting and retaining talent by seeking to inspire, connect deeply with their teams, and drive sustainable performance, regardless of external pressures. 

Where Leadership 3.0 and Future Jobs meet

• Softer skills as a hard imperative: The WEF report emphasises emotional intelligence, communication and social influence as necessary skills for the future. My Leadership 3.0 model provides the “how to” - the actionable strategies that will cultivate empathy, develop nuanced communication skills and empower positive feedback

• Human Edge: The WEF report emphasises the need for human skills. Leadership 3.0 develops future leaders, giving them the necessary skills of active listening, constructive feedforward strategies and how to manage difficult conversations that build authenticity, influence and leadership muscle.

Source: WEF Future of Jobs report 2025: https://www.weforum.org/publications/the-future-of-jobs-report-2025/