The generational shift in leadership—prioritizing purpose over profit

As we’ve already mentioned, business leadership is undergoing a profound transformation. More and more, leaders are being asked to–or are seeking to–prioritize purpose over profit.??

Holly Ransom , IMEX America speaker and global authority on leadership, believes this shift is more than just a passing trend—it’s a fundamental change that leaders must embrace.?

One of the driving forces behind this shift is the emergence of a new generation of workers. Over the next decade, 1.3 billion young people will enter the global workforce, making them the largest generational group in history*. As Holly explains, “These young people have fundamentally different expectations of work. They’re not just looking for a pay check—they want purpose, passion, and a sense of belonging in their work.”?

This generational shift is reshaping leadership in profound ways. The days when leadership was defined by rank and seniority are fading. “In the old model,” Holly says, “leaders earned their authority through time served and accumulated knowledge. But today, value is being created in new and different ways, and leaders need to adapt.”?

The end of the old leadership model?

Holly believes the traditional leadership model—where leaders earned their way to the top through longevity and expertise—is quickly becoming outdated. “The idea that only senior leaders can contribute ideas is out of step with the pace of change we’re seeing today,” she says.?

In today’s business world, innovation and culture are becoming more important than tenure. Companies, particularly in fast-moving sectors like creative and tech, are building work environments designed to attract top talent, rather than relying on hierarchical authority.?

Balancing performance with a caring culture?

But this shift doesn’t come without challenges. As Holly points out, performance-driven cultures are often at odds with employee desire for care and empathy in the workplace. Today’s employees expect more than just high-performance environments; they want workplaces that provide psychological safety, recognition, and a sense of community.?

Holly says, “Leaders who fail to offer this balance risk losing their people to burnout or disengagement.” However, the issue isn’t simply about changing workplace culture. It’s also about redesigning leadership incentives. Holly highlights a key disconnect: “We’re still incentivizing leaders based on old metrics like efficiency and shareholder value, but employees are demanding something different—workplaces that care.”?

In this new era of purpose-driven leadership, the challenge for leaders is to balance performance with empathy and create workplaces that truly engage and support their teams.??

But are companies ready to make that shift??

How do you see leadership evolving in your own organization? Are we truly prepared to lead for both purpose and profit? Comment below.?

And, if you don’t have the answers, or you’re curious to know more, make time to join Holly Ransom’s Emergent Leadership Program at IMEX America on Wednesday October 9 in the Perspectives Theater. She’ll be interviewing some exceptional industry leaders live – and open to all.?

Register for IMEX America

Finally, thanks to Rebecca De Luca and the LVCVA for their partnership in curating this program.??

*SOURCE: https://www.cushmanwakefield.com/en/insights/demographic-shifts-the-world-in-2030 ?