Lessons In Leadership From The Events Of 2023

The end of the year is naturally a period of reflection – for leaders, as well as for those whom they lead. It’s a time to consider what’s gone well, what hasn’t gone so well and where improvements can be made. Last year was a period of turbulence and upheaval, with leaders able to learn some important lessons from 2022’s significant events. So, now that 12 months have passed, what can leaders take away from 2023?

1. Be like Ken – yes, really

The highest-grossing movie of 2023 was the pink-themed Barbie, starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling. You might assume that Barbie, who has emerged from the movie as a proud feminist icon, might have the most profound lessons to teach leaders. But if you assumed that, you’d probably be wrong.

It seems that more can be learned from her superfluous love interest Ken, who puts on an obnoxious display of toxic masculinity until he’s finally humbled by women. “Ken’s journey from hubris to humility is a necessary preamble to leadership,” argues Paul Anderson-Walsh, CEO and co-founder of leadership development specialists The Centre for Inclusive Leadership. “Only when we’ve been freed from the need to be the leader can we be considered safe to lead.”

Ken might only be a fictional character, but Anderson-Walsh believes we should salute him for the leadership insights he unintentionally provides. “Leadership is about making matters better,” says Anderson-Walsh. “Inclusive leadership is about making matters better for everyone.”

2. Learn from success

In July 2023, Argentinian football sensation Lionel Messi joined American soccer club Inter Miami after leaving French side Paris St-Germain. The deal was facilitated by former football phenomenon David Beckham, Inter Miami’s co-owner and president.

While many leaders tout the value of learning from failure, Beckham modeled this maneuver after his own successful experience of playing in the US, according to Rob Hatch, a business coach and author of Success Frames: Why learning from success is the key to understanding what motivates and inspires us.

“We’ve all heard quotes about learning from failure,” says Hatch. “Time and again, we’ve been told that it is the best teacher. Research suggests we learn more from success than failure, however. Failures point out what not to do. The lessons from our past successes reveal how we do our best work and identify patterns for approaching new challenges. Each successful step on the journey to accomplishment uncovers elements that help us to make our best decisions and take confident action.”

3. Be sensitive to human rights

The EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive entered into force in January 2023. This directive requires businesses in the EU to report on the human rights impacts of their supply chains.

“More transparency means companies will be held accountable for human rights violations in their supply chains like never before,” says Ildiko Almasi Simsic, a social development specialist and author of What Is A Social Impact? “So business leaders will need to invest in experts who can set up and oversee management systems to provide input for the reporting. Some will be concerned about the costs, but ‘getting it right’ can save companies and leaders huge reputational damage if allegations surface. It is much easier to get ahead of the problem than to try to re-establish credibility.”

4. Deploy technology in the fight against climate change

COP28, the United Nations Climate Change Conference that kicked off in Dubai in November, was a powerful reminder that collaboration is key to creating real change. At the conference, privately held technology innovation company World Wide Technology launched AI for Good, a platform that will support climate entrepreneurs to achieve the goals of COP28 by harnessing the power of artificial intelligence (AI).

“As leaders, we must capture the positive force of tech as a collective unit to continue the COP28 momentum,” says Marga Hoek, a global thought leader on sustainable business and capital and author of Tech for Good: Imagine solving the world’s greatest challenges. “It is now time to call upon all stakeholders to join forces to unlock the potential of AI for transformational climate action if we are going to build a better future.”

5. Step into other people’s shoes

This year has brought some tragic events, which have underlined the importance of empathy. “Empathy allows us to step into someone else’s shoes, to truly understand their experiences, and to foster connection and understanding,” says Mimi Nicklin, an author, CEO and founder of the Empathy Everywhere platform. “It is through this skillset that we can begin to bridge the gaps that separate us and build a more inclusive society that values human lives and prosperity, regardless of job title, gender, choices or geographical homeland.”

Nicklin believes that empathy does not just enable us to connect with others on a deeper level. It also empowers us to address the root causes of societal and corporate challenges. She says: “By recognizing and addressing systemic inequalities, supporting marginalized communities and advocating for justice, we can create real change that leads to a more equitable and peaceful world.”

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