EDITOR’ S QUESTION

Venkatasubramanian( Subbu) Hariharan, Managing Director, Canon Middle East and Türkiye

The next generation of business executives will likely need a diverse set of skills to navigate an ever-evolving business landscape. Success will increasingly depend on leaders who can bridge technology, innovation and sustainability while maintaining a human touch. Leaders of tomorrow will need to keep people and customers at the heart of everything they do with a good balance of technology, innovation, sustainability and diversity. Some key skills that could be crucial for future business leaders include:

1. At the foundation, digital fluency has become non-negotiable. Future executives must do more than just understand AI, cloud technologies and cybersecurity; they need to grasp how these tools can transform their industries and create new opportunities. But technical knowledge alone isn’ t enough. The most effective leaders will be those who can harness these technologies while maintaining authentic human connections and fostering innovation within their teams. 2. The ability to navigate uncertainty with grace and purpose has never been more crucial. As global markets become increasingly interconnected, leaders must develop what might be called‘ adaptive intelligence’ – the ability to remain agile and responsive while maintaining a clear strategic vision. This includes building genuine cross-cultural relationships and understanding diverse market dynamics. 3. Purpose-driven leadership; this means going beyond traditional profit motives to consider broader societal impact and stakeholder value. In addition to the ability to inspire and motivate teams, communicate effectively and make informed decisions will continue to be important in the business world. 4. Customer-centricity is evolving, too. Tomorrow’ s leaders must anticipate and respond to rapidly shifting customer behaviors while maintaining authentic connections. 5. Sustainability leadership has moved from a‘ nice-to-have’ to a core competency. Modern executives must deeply understand how to implement circular economy principles and drive environmental responsibility while maintaining profitability. Canon’ s commitment to reducing lifecycle CO₂ emissions by 50 % by 2030 illustrates how sustainability is becoming integrated into core business strategy. 6. Talent development has also taken on new dimensions. Future leaders need to ensure that their organisations strive to have a strong employee value proposition, to attract the best talent fit for purpose. Future executives must excel at building diverse, inclusive teams and creating environments where innovation can flourish. The leaders of tomorrow need to be highly self-aware of the value of human connections and bring the old and new generations together to build a strong, cohesive, collaborative workforce. 7. The ability to forge and maintain strategic partnerships has become another crucial skill for future executives. As demonstrated by Canon’ s ONE Club initiative we rolled out last year, successful leaders must move beyond traditional business relationships to create deeper, more collaborative partnerships.

These skills represent a fundamental shift from traditional management approaches to a more holistic, adaptable and human-centered leadership style. The most successful future executives will be those who can weave these capabilities together while staying true to their values and driving sustainable growth in an increasingly complex world.

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