The Skills Every Leader Needs in 2025 and Beyond
After working with brands like LVMH, Adobe, and DHL, Dr. Alison Edgar MBE has witnessed firsthand what distinguishes good leaders from great ones. It’s not about charisma, job title, or a corner office — it’s all about mindset.
The best leaders cultivate environments where individuals feel trusted, empowered, and motivated to think like business owners. Dr. Edgar refers to this as the intrapreneur mindset, which she believes is essential for success in the future.
Emotional Intelligence
Exceptional leaders aren’t just adept at reading reports; they excel at reading the room. They understand that behavior is rooted in emotion, which in turn is influenced by thoughts. This awareness transforms their approach to leadership.
Utilizing tools like the DISC model enables leaders to tailor their communication, motivation, and feedback based on different personality types. When individuals feel seen and understood, they perform at their peak.
Agility
The ongoing pandemic has underscored the fact that change is not a one-time event but a continual process. Agile leaders don’t flinch in the face of shifting circumstances; instead, they adapt, experiment, and encourage their teams to do the same. Setbacks are viewed as opportunities for learning, not disasters.
Having all the answers is not a prerequisite; what matters is the willingness to test, learn, and evolve.
Relationship Building
Trust lies at the core of every high-performing team. Great leaders prioritize building relationships by providing constructive feedback, publicly acknowledging efforts, and engaging in honest conversations when things go awry.
Establishing trust paves the way for constructive conflict. When team members trust each other, they can engage in passionate debates, respectfully disagree, and emerge stronger as a result.
Autonomy
Micromanagement stifles creativity. Effective leaders empower their team members to make decisions as if they were running their own business. This level of trust fosters accountability, leading individuals to rise to the occasion.
Ownership breeds engagement, and engagement drives performance.
The world is constantly evolving, and leaders must keep pace by embracing a mindset of continuous learning, active listening, and adaptability. Those who lead with empathy, agility, and trust unlock innovation, accountability, and growth within their organizations.
Leadership isn’t about having all the answers; it’s about creating an environment where others can thrive.
Dr. Alison Edgar MBE emphasizes that by embodying these qualities, leaders can shape the future rather than merely chasing it.
Source: Here
