All around us, the business scenario is evolving in unrecognizable dimensions, technologies are growing in a more rapid and disruptive way, disintermediation in sales has radically changed consumer behaviour and uncertainty is the new norm. While traditionally, strong leaders used to pursue a singular vision through static and structured command system, the leader of the Future has to balance diverse, unknown and ambiguous pressures.

Who can define the new CEOs and their Roles, expectations from CXOs and other key leadership? Who has an understanding of the critical competencies, knowledge, skills, strategies and behaviour required to meet the challenges and succeed in this digitally disruptive environment, and to sustain a differentiated competitive advantage for long term growth?

We feel the key to CEO and business success lies in implementation of new Leadership Transformation Strategies in this disruptive, uncertain, digital world and this transformation can be achieved only through Innovation, Agility, Collaboration, and focused People & Knowledge Strategies.

The business scenario is changing rapidly across the globe and more so in Asia Pacific which is the fastest growing region in the world. The leaders openly shared their understanding of the challenges faced, strategies adopted, and initiatives taken by them for achieving success. Some of the key factors impacting the business are:

New technologies: The changes in technology are now more rapid, fundamental and disruptive and they are making a quantum impact to the way business is done. AI, AR, IOT, Digital, Blockchain, 3-D Printing, machine learning and many more revolutionary technologies are finding greater business applications.

Constant Change: Changes in the business environment and methodologies are no longer sporadic but are happening all the time and at a much faster pace. This requires a more ‘Agile Management’ that’s constantly observing, thinking and responding rapidly to the events than ever before.

Connect & Collaborate: The Alpha management style, hierarchy and bureaucracy are giving way to shared leadership styles of open communication and employee engagement. The new mantra is to Con-nect, Collaborate, Influence and Lead. This has created new challenges threatening the traditional cultural stereotypes. Leaders now support an environment that cross-pollinates ideas, people and thinking among different business disciplines and industries.

Market & Competition: The competition is becoming fiercer and multi-directional. The focus has shifted to Value-to Customer (and not product). “Market is no longer fighting traditional competitors, but new ways of doing business. Dis-intermediation has brought consumers in direct touch with manufacturers. In-stead of relying on traditional R&D, the focus is on new ideas, continual innovation, redesigning business processes and embedding this in corporate cultures & structures.

Learning & Daring: In today’s environment of uncertainties, it’s no longer enough to tread tested, safe management practices. Leaders are alert to unfolding risks and opportunities and are agile in embedding innovation, risk-taking and creativity into the culture and structure of their organizations for building en-during competitive advantages. New methodologies are being developed for acquiring, sharing and disseminating knowledge and engaging with people.