Izusek | E+ | Getty Images
Bringing people together, showing commitment and being a good listener are qualities that younger generations look for in leaders.
That’s according to Generation Z and millennial attendees at the One Young World Summit in Montreal, Canada.
“It is important that, when leaders are at the forefront, they are acting in the interests of the people, not in the interests of themselves or a small group,” says Sue Whisky, CEO and founder of the sustainability organization Environmental Network Malawi. According to, who spoke to CNBC’s Tanya Brier at the summit in September.
He also said that persistence and determination are important in leaders. “People go through a lot and yet their achievements are greater than anything they’ve ever been through,” he said.
Although some leaders “don’t really always act with good intentions,” according to Whiskey, even those with different views “can sit in the same room.” “We can all create the world we want to create. We can all work to achieve peace,” he said.
For Northern Irish politician Cara Hunter, compassion and understanding are paramount. He said that the importance of listening can never be underestimated. Hunter, who became a member of the Northern Ireland Assembly for East Londonderry in 2020 aged 24, said she wanted to hear what people younger than her wanted from education.
“Being a good leader is about listening and raising the voices of those who may not be able to vote but want to be part of the political process, and making sure they use the power they have,” he said. know.”
Hunter is part of the Northern Irish Education Committee, a role he said contributes to building a peaceful society in the region. “A key aspect of this … is looking at the importance of inclusive education, so making sure that every child, regardless of background or faith, is educated together and really respects cultural differences,” Hunter said. “Yes,” Hunter said.
Bringing people together
South African rugby player Sia Kolisi with fans after defeating Scotland during the Autumn Nations Series on November 10, 2024 in Edinburgh, Scotland. Former player Tendai Mutwarira described Kolesi as “a great leader”.
Stu Forster | Getty Images
Bringing people from different backgrounds together is important to former rugby player Tendai Mtawarera, who described South African rugby star Siya Kolesi as a “great leader”. Mtwarira said Kolesi led his team to the World Cup in 2019 because of his ability to “bring out the best in everyone”.
“[He creates] A truly welcoming environment for everyone, where everyone feels like they belong. You know, their cultures and traditions are taken into account and adopted,” he said of Kolesi.
Mtawarira runs The Beast, a foundation that helps young people gain life skills through education and sport, and has launched Lead Like a Girl, a scholarship for teenage girls. “If we succeed in developing our youth, developing a thriving workforce, we are going to see a much better world, a much better Africa,” he said.
Meanwhile, entrepreneur Laura Stokoe urged decision-makers to do more to tackle climate change. “My generation … we’re troubled by the way we see the world being handled right now with climate change, we don’t agree with the leadership that’s in place,” he said. said
Stocco is the founder of Openversum, which provides clean water technology through a “micro-franchising” model that trains women in countries including Colombia and Uganda to assemble and sell water filters, which Stocco Said he could become an “actor”.[s] Change in their communities”.
He said that leadership is about solving problems. “If you’re not listening, you’re going to… try to implement wonderful changes and solutions that you think are solutions, but that the people you’re trying to lead don’t need and Neither want,” he said.
When asked what young leaders want, Stocco said, “We want to be heard, and we want to be able to take action so that we can really design the future that we want.”
