| | APRIL 20258EDITOR'S DESKLeadership has always been a delicate balancing act, but in 2025, it requires leaders to be bolder, more adaptable, and prepared to break traditional norms. Economic instability and geopolitical conflicts, primarily due to the rise of technology, make for a mixed bag in the environment of the world. Inflation and a non-homogeneous economic recovery would in fact test the financial resilience of many, while power centers shift, making international relations fragile. Climate change and social instability have also intervened in the leadership decision-making processes across the board.Embracing Technology and Mastery of AILeaders in an increasingly competitive environment should take proactive action to facilitate change and encourage technological innovation. Korn Ferry's Global Workforce 2024 Survey indicates nearly two-thirds (65.5%) of global business leaders feel optimistic toward AI's impact in their daily work. A vast majority of CEOs (73%) and senior executives (80%) believe AI will be immensely valuable to them within the next three years. Leaders should have an upbeat attitude toward technology allowing themselves to leverage new tools and systems for a competitive edge. Knowledge about AI will guarantee efficiency and sound decision-making.In this respect, organizations should integrate AI and other emerging technologies by equipping their leaders with practical workshops and sessions meant for them to understand how AI can enhance productivity. Experiential learning would foster dismantling the mystique surrounding AI so that leaders would have the confidence to experiment with it. Facilitating AI initiatives on different fronts of the business could broaden the spectrum for the leaders for an integrated, innovative approach that would, in turn, enhance overall technology uptake.Leadership programs stressing digital transformation foster continuous learning and the fostering of adaptability. The study by Korn Ferry reported a global difference in enthusiasm for AI with the majority being in India, where 81% of business leaders were positive about AI's potential impact, 66% of those in the USA expressed positivity, whereas only 47% of UK business leaders did so. To that end, an organization that recognizes the importance of continuous learning and skills-building is preparing its leaders for the challenges that lie ahead. Webinars and online courses will familiarize the leaders with emerging AI trends so that they can adopt new technologies confidently in their strategic planning."An AI-enhanced strategy is not about perfection but about continuous learning." ­ Sundar PichaiFoster Inclusive Leadership that Embraces DiversityBeing the 'Connector-in-Chief', the inclusive leader builds a space where collaboration and diverse viewpoints fuel innovation and business success. As a result, strong inclusive teams can be formed by these leaders with empathy and cultural competence. Gender and inclusivity impact the comfort level of employees. The Global Workforce 2024 Survey indicates that men feel slightly more comfortable discussing health and well-being than are women in the same circumstance, that is, by a margin of 74% to 70%. But inclusivity does not get restricted to this--it varies massively in allowing employees to be their authentic selves at work based on their organization's levels. The high-ranking officers feel most accepted on this front (78% of CEOs and 82% of senior executives), while acceptance decreases to only 63% of individual contributors. Establishing a diversity council or committee to provide guidance on DE&I initiatives might be pursued by organizations to instill a culture of inclusion that makes all employees feel valued and included.Leaders have to create environments that appreciate and integrate differences. The Global Workforce 2024 Survey shows mixed views on DE&I, 30% of respondents in Brazil say that there is no commitment to it while 34% respondents in the USA feel that their organizations are overly focused on it. This reveals a need for leaders to be flexible and empathetic to different expectations appearing within their teams. Asian culture awareness and LEADERS OUTLOOK ON LEADERSHIP IN 2025To get real diversity of thought, you need to find the people who genuinely hold different views and invite them into the conversation
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