Fresh from Davos- invites and integration required
Bringing along the next generation and leading differently
Hello once again! After a brief hiatus for Abbey's parental leave (congratulations!) and a whirlwind of Thought Leadership projects, we're thrilled to reboot "The Next Big Think!" or NBT. This bi-weekly newsletter is your compass in navigating societal shifts, emerging desires, and evolving expectations, drawing from The Harris Poll data, cultural trends, and our futurism insights.
Fresh off the plane from Davos, let's dive into two critical insights shaping our world.
💡Insight
1. The Election Mindset - Watch the Youth
What is it?
2024 isn't just another year in American politics; it's the year the globe votes. Vox highlights an unprecedented global election cycle, engaging over 4 billion people across 60 countries. From India's sprawling legislative elections to Indonesia's enormous presidential poll, the world is poised on a political precipice.
What does the data say?
At Davos, the buzz was around the challenges and preparations needed for these elections, especially AI misinformation and deep fakes. Solutions are nascent, and the stakes are high, as these elections could pivot global leadership dynamics.
A battle of generations
The blessing of increased longevity has created a side effect of increasingly older political leaders, who are roughly five decades removed from the youngest voters. Think about this-- a ‘half a century’ of lived experiences, and we are seeing the tension in our data:
79% of Gen Z/Millennials say many political leaders are too old to accurately represent the desires of younger Americans
77% of Gen Z/Millennials are frustrated that older generations aren't addressing
broken systems in our society (v. Gen X/ Boomer: 58%)
Why should marketers care?
Marketers take note. This isn't just about politics. This election mindset permeates all aspects of youth experiences - from work to shopping. There's a pronounced shift towards brands and businesses that resonate with and acknowledge young voices. It's essential to consider how your brand integrates and values these perspectives in every facet, from research, R&D and marketing.
💡One Insight
2. A New Way Out- Starts with Integration
What is it? At this year’s World Economic Forum, I presented our latest leadership research with Unlocking Eve. The crux? We can't out-navigate today’s permacrisis with the same leadership skills that have deepened the crisis over the last decade; there is too much at stake.
What does the data say? Our findings are stark: 86% of people are disappointed with societal leaders, and 75% believe these leaders hinder societal progress. This leadership crisis is triggering a global state of anxiety, impeding our ability to envision a hopeful future.
Why should marketers care? There is a ray of hope: integrated leadership. It's about balancing directional traits (decisive, logical) with relational ones (caring, collaborative). Integrated leadership isn’t about leading longer and harder, it’s about increasing our capacity to lead. Opening ourselves up to a multiplier effect that if we lead with a wide range of traits while leading with each other (vs. over each other), we will have the needed capacity to solve (not burnout from) today’s crisis.
We found that this type of leadership starts to signal a new hope for all people:
🙌 85% of people look up to leaders who act decisively and compassionately as they work to solve problemsÂ
🙌 84% of people believe we all have the potential to be better leaders in our workplace and communities if we are encouraged to access our full range of skills
And if business leaders embrace this integrated approach, people think it could have a positive ripple impact:
✴ 74% say it will positively impact the well-being of their employees
✴ 70% say it will positively impact the well-being of the communities in which they operate
✴ 69% say it will positively impact the growth/profitability of the business
✴ 64% say it will positively impact the well-being of the environment and planet
The insights gleaned from both the global election mindset and the evolving leadership paradigm offer implications for how we navigate our current and future landscapes. As we witness a generational shift in political engagement, marked by a deep-seated desire for representation and systemic change among younger demographics, it's imperative for organizations to align their strategies with these evolving perspectives. Simultaneously, the call for a more integrated, compassionate, and effective leadership style is not just a trend but a necessity in tackling the complex challenges of our times. These insights are more than just data points; they are beacons guiding us toward a more inclusive, responsive, and forward-thinking approach in both politics and business.
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Penned by Libby Rodney and Abbey Lunney, founders of the Thought Leadership Group at The Harris Poll. To learn more about the Thought Leadership Practice, just contact one of us or find out more here.
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