Working in a school is one of the most fulfilling careers in the world. Being surrounded by young minds offers a daily reminder of diverse perspectives—bringing into focus both our shared experiences and the richness of our differences. This vantage point naturally leads me to reflect on where we stand in today’s world and consider what future leadership opportunities may hold in the short, medium, and long term.
Examining those in positions of power and influence today, a common thread emerges: age and experience still dominate. In India, the average age of an MP is around 54. In the UK, it’s similar, while in the US, members of Congress average 58 years, with senators averaging 64. In the corporate world, the numbers are equally striking. CEOs in leading companies are, on average, 57 in India, 55 in the UK, and 57 in the US.
The digital world young people inhabit today can be explored from a distance, requiring little face-to-face interaction. The non-digital world—where authentic relationships are built—demands personal engagement and opens you up to potential emotional vulnerabilities. Leaders across industries recognise the importance of both, yet time and again, interpersonal ‘soft’ skills are the differentiator for success. Can you work seamlessly within a team? Can you initiate and sustain meaningful conversations? Are you confident networking or speaking with strangers? These skills, often undervalued, are essential. This means that young people entering the workforce over the next 10 to 20 years will need to master a delicate balancing act: navigating both the rapidly evolving digital world and the slower, relationship-centered non-digital world which those in power and influence understand better.
Many adults struggle with these very abilities, which makes it all the more crucial for parents and educators to be aware. While academic excellence remains important, we must also prioritise creating opportunities for young people to hone their soft skills. Whether it’s through extracurricular activities, team projects, or casual conversations, every moment to practise these skills matters. In a world where human connection remains a cornerstone of leadership, investing in these abilities will ensure today’s youth are prepared to succeed tomorrow.
So, if you are reading this as a young person, make sure you are engaged beyond academics. Get out of your comfort zone, join a club, try a new sport or go make friends with groups of students you’ve never engaged with. Need help on how to do this? Let your teachers know and we’ll together do something about it.
If you are a parent reading this, learn to step back and let go. Let your children figure it out when speaking to friends, teachers or others. As parents, we sometimes cannot help speaking for our children or stepping in to take over. Uncomfortable situations help build resilience and develop tools they can use in future scenarios. Knowledge is not real power. Knowledge is just potential of power. Action is true power—knowing how to and when to act to impact your environment.
