What do emerging leaders look like today?

It is no secret that workplaces of the current year are different from those in the past, with leaders and their leadership styles having changed along with it.

The new leaders of today are embracing these differences, allowing them to thrive in these new workplaces – and it is a lesson leaders, both emerging and established, could learn from.

Leaders thinking differently

One of the biggest changes leaders make cannot be seen with the naked eye.

Reflecting on how the world of work has evolved, new leaders' mindsets and leadership styles now are a little different from what they once were, according to the University of Western Australia Business School Adjunct Assistant Professor Elisa Adriasola.

“Leadership today is far more about collaboration, empowerment and adaptability than the traditional top-down, directive style we saw in the past,” she said. 

“Leaders are no longer expected to simply direct or control. Instead, they focus on empowering their teams, facilitating decision-making and fostering environments where diverse perspectives can thrive.”

Dr Adriasola said many modern leaders also had a renewed focus on aspects such as communication, trust, teamwork and ethics.

“The bottom line is that today’s leaders must be adaptable, collaborative and human,” she said.

“It’s no longer about control or authority – it’s about empowering others, navigating uncertainty and making values-driven decisions.

“These shifts have fundamentally changed what it means to lead, and I believe they’ve made leadership more effective in addressing the complexities of the modern world.”

The structure of work itself has changed across many organisations as well, and Women & Leadership Australia General Manager Karen Surmon said this also formed part of the shift seen in the mindset of leaders.

“Today’s workplaces have flatter hierarchies, with senior roles less likely to be designated by the physical workspace,” she said.

“Leaders today are less likely to presume all good ideas come from the top. 

“With this shift, we witnessed effective leaders prioritise engagement and input from employees across their organisation.

“Today, there’s a greater emphasis on employee wellbeing and psychological safety and the importance of diversity.”

More diverse and inclusive leaders

Another difference between the leaders of today and those previously can be found in diversity, with members of minority groups able to take on leadership roles in greater numbers.

Dr Adriasola said diversity was one of the most critical aspects of leadership today, with the best new leaders not only being a more diverse group but also comprising those who value inclusivity in the workplace.

“For organisations, this isn’t optional – it’s a strategic necessity,” she said.

“A more diverse workforce and leadership team are essential for staying relevant, agile and innovative. 

“However, to unlock its potential, organisations need leaders who can foster a culture that values diversity. 

“It’s about creating environments where teams can move past visible differences to find common ground, while also leveraging their unique strengths to complement one another.”

However, while Ms Surmon agreed that we were seeing more diverse and inclusive leaders, she said there was still plenty of room to improve, with pay gaps and glass ceilings still impacting many. 

The leaders of today are pushing for progress, making changes to help the leaders of tomorrow.

“While it’s true we are seeing greater diversity in leadership, men are still more likely than women to rise to the highest-paying and most senior leadership roles, with women in minority demographics – such as cultural or linguistic diversity – even less so again,” Ms Surmon said. 

“Today’s leaders have a responsibility to be deliberate in their efforts to foster greater diversity in community, business and government, by continuing to challenge organisational and personal biases, restrictive policies and processes that are slowing the rate of progress.”

The constantly changing leader

While the increased diversity of today’s leaders is an important part of the shifts in leadership, it is far from the only point making an impact.

Technology is always changing the way we work, allowing different methods of communication and more efficient processes, and it’s no different for leaders.

The leaders of today need to know how to handle this technology and all the challenges that can come with it.

“Collaboration across virtual or hybrid teams is commonplace,” Ms Surmon said. 

“To be effective, today’s leaders must adopt new strategies that foster collaboration, communication and productivity within less controlled, visible structures.

“With flexible and hybrid teams being the norm for many organisations, we’re seeing an increase in issues such as social isolation of staff, reduced supervision, limited sharing of tacit knowledge and workplace silos. 

“These issues can arise even without remote workers, so the knee-jerk reaction to mandate a return to the office may not solve these problems. 

“Leaders today must listen to their team, adapt and be proactive, prioritising staff wellbeing, setting clear expectations and finding ways to foster cross-team collaboration and a supportive culture.”

Dr Adriasola agreed that adaptability was one of the traits that made the greatest leaders of today stand out, with those who embraced change seeing success. 

“The rapid pace of change means leaders need to pivot quickly – whether it’s adopting new technologies, responding to global crises or adjusting strategies to meet shifting demands,” she said.

“Also, let’s not forget how these leadership styles helped organisations navigate the COVID-19 pandemic – those that were flexible and prioritised inclusivity and connection were able to adapt much faster.”

Becoming that new leader

Whether you are a new leader looking to strengthen your skills or a more experienced leader hoping to modernise your arsenal, there is plenty to learn from today’s greatest new leaders and the skills, abilities and mindsets that help them to succeed.

Though it is far from an easy task, Dr Adriasola said it was a goal well worth pursuing.

“The kind of leader we’re describing – the one who embraces diversity, fosters inclusion, adapts to change and balances empathy with agility to succeed in uncertain and changing times – can seem like a daunting goal for anyone to strive for,” she said. 

“However, what I want to emphasise is that building better workplaces, organisations and a better world doesn’t happen all at once, and doesn’t depend on one person or the leader alone.  

“It’s a process that involves commitment, effort and small incremental steps from all of us.

“The progress might feel slow, but little by little, we are moving toward more sustainable, welcoming and successful organisations – and ultimately, the world we want to see.

“As I often say, it’s grain by grain of sand that a beach is formed.”