Future-Proof Leadership: Building Resilience and Connection in a Rapidly Changing World

For my latest webinar I got to explore one of my deepest passions: leadership fueled by empathy and resilience. I was thrilled to be joined by two experts, Seán and Renny who not only have impressive professional pedigrees but also a deep understanding of the challenges and motivations that shape the modern working world.

Together we explored why agility, resilience and emotional intelligence (EQ) have become mission critical for executives navigating constant change. I wanted to get to the heart of what sets high-impact leaders apart. Seán and Renny brought so much insight from their career history and the roles they have in shaping the future leaders and culture of work in their respective fields.

I would recommend watching the full episode, (trust me you’ll want a pen and paper handy) but here are some of the most impactful takeaways from our discussion.

Guest Speakers: 

Seán Davis, Head of Leadership Talent and Skills at Enterprise Ireland

Renny Bloch, Director, Global and Leadership Development at Regeneron

How constant disruption has changed the way we think about leadership.

Timestamp: 3mins

It’s been reported, both anecdotally and officially that we’re experiencing near constant disruption. According to Accenture’s Global Disruption Index there was a 200% increase in disruption from 2017-2022. This dramatic increase means a re-shuffle in the leadership skills index, resilience is now essential to long-term business growth and stability.

Something was broken and something was created.

As we debated the current challenges for anyone in a leadership position today it became obvious how much the role itself has evolved over the last decade as Seán put it so succinctly. “It’s become more about people, harnessing the collective IQ, providing direction rather than directive” From Renny’s perspective he now sees leaders facing new challenges but ultimately a big area for their own personal growth is self leadership-  connecting with people and building a followership. He referenced the excellent Harvard Business Review article  Why Should Anyone Be Led by You- a must read for anyone who wants to work on improving themselves as a leader. 

In the “always on era” - how can leaders future-proof themselves?

Timestamp: 11mins The ever-present disruption is taking its toll, 56% of leaders and managers are more likely to feel the effect of this constant change as reported in Gallup’s Disruptive Change Is Hitting Leaders and Managers Hardest article.

"It ain't what you don't know that gets you into trouble. It's what you know for sure that just ain't so" - Mark Twain

By embracing the freedom to be wrong, we empower ourselves to make decisions without the constant fear of being proven incorrect. Seán shared one of his personal mantras that he instils in his teams, "I maintain the right to be wrong”. This mindset not only helps us build personal resilience but also fosters a supportive environment where our teams feel secure in their own choices. For leaders, cultivating this openness to learning from mistakes is essential to future-proofing themselves and their organizations, as resilience remains a critical skill in navigating uncertainty.

The one skill everyone needs to work on to build successful relationships

Timestamp:19mins

As we discussed the role of EQ in leadership roles Renny touched on a critical trait of the EQ skillset that leaders often overlook. “Listening is a core competency that everyone thinks they’re better at than they are."

“We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak” -Epictetus

Balancing empathy alongside the very real business goals is a fine art, but really listening can help you build the connections with teams that foster success. “There are three levels of listening; the words, the body language and the relationship between you and the other person” Renny highlights. This skill feeds directly into self-awareness and emotional intelligence, enabling leaders to better understand their teams, respond thoughtfully, and ultimately drive stronger results. By honing their listening abilities, leaders lay the foundation for trust, collaboration, and lasting impact within their organisations.

Nobody is formally trained in effective listening but if the secret to success is building empathetic relationships and really connecting with others then working on listening seems a logical starting point.

What I learned from this conversation

Our conversation made it clear: the future of leadership is deeply human. In a world defined by disruption and rapid change, the leaders who thrive are those who prioritise empathy, resilience, and authentic connection. By embracing the freedom to be wrong, honing our listening skills, and aligning with purpose-driven values, we can build teams that are not only more adaptable but also more engaged and inspired. As we navigate this new era, putting people first isn’t just good leadership—it’s essential for long-term success.

To hear Seán and Renny’s insights in full and learn what inspires them (quotes, mantras and what they witness in their own teams) watch our discussion in full below

Join me for the next LinkedIn Live event 2nd July Strategic hiring for sustainable growth

Jackie Gilmore, former Partner and Head of People Consulting & Workforce Transformation at EY Ireland. 

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