The world around us is constantly changing. This requires different leadership than 20 years ago, say more than three-quarters (77%) of the expected. Godfried IJsseling, leadership expert at De Baak, says: “We have learned over the past 75 years that each new generation brings new challenges. More than 20 years ago, leadership had an even more traditional form, focused on control. Today’s young generation expects a leader-employees to develop, to listen carefully and to bring about social change. Good leaders should offer everyone a listening ear in all dilemmas.”

Good leaders are authentic

The research also shows that no less than 83% of working people in the Netherlands (aged 20 – 67) think that a good leader is authentic, and therefore stays close by. Leaders must also put people first, according to 82 percent of the respondents. Not just now. Also in the future. In times of tension and certainty, it is precisely the soft skills that prove to be important. The top 5 qualities that a good leader of the future needs, according to working Netherlands:

• communicates openly and transparently (43%)

• gives confidence (36%)

• can support the team to get the best out of themselves (33%)

• empathizes well with others (is empathetic) (32%)

• is a good listener (32%)

• The traits that were mentioned least are: does not tolerate mistakes (1%), adheres to hierarchy (1%) and is insecure (4%).

But who dares to take on a leadership role in this current climate? Almost half of working people in the Netherlands (47%) indicate that they want to be leaders. And even two-thirds (60%) of young adults (20-29 years old) say they want a role as a leader. In addition, men want to be a leader more often than women (52% versus 40%).

Get to know yourself

With its first activities in 1947, De Baak is one of the oldest training institutes in the Netherlands. A period of 75 years followed in which various social dilemmas played a role. From the post-World War II reconstruction to the revolution of progress. But also women’s emancipation, the current economic crisis and the corona pandemic. The world around us is constantly changing.

This requires different leadership, according to more than three-quarters (77%) of the expectations. IJsseling, who has been associated with De Baak for 25 years, says: “We see that despite all these social changes, the basis of our training courses remains largely the same. Always adapted to the changing circumstances and circumstances in the world. But with the same starting point: getting to know yourself.”

Podcast ‘Unborn Leaders’

With the lessons of the past 75 years, De Baak not only looks back, but also looks ahead. That is why De Baak is launching the five-part podcast series: Unborn Leaders. In this podcast, De Baak talks to a group, each with their own vision and expertise, and examines the axes of feminism, diversity & inclusion, equality of opportunity, sustainability and the Gen Z generation, which leadership we need in the next 75 years. to have.

Guests are Sander Schimmelpenninck (opinion writer and known from Sander en de gorge, among others), Hajar Yagkoubi (former youth representative at the United Nations), Madeleijn van den Nieuwenhuizen (media critic and founder of ‘Zeikschrift’), Faiza Oulahsen (head of Climate and Energy at Greenpeace Netherlands) and Angelo Bromet (founder of Prospect Eleven). The podcast can be listened to via Podimo, Spotify, Apple Podcast and more the website of the Bake.

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