What constitutes good leadership in times of change and transformation? Verena Meyer, PhD researcher with a focus on entrepreneurship at Leuphana University in Germany, interviewed me about this and I would like to share some of the thoughts with you. The whole conversation can be seen here.

1. What is good leadership?

Apart from personal evaluations (“I like it” or “I don’t like it”), good leadership is shown in principle when a team or an organization succeeds in developing and achieving goals. Currently, a management style based on communication and cooperation is often favored, which gives people space for their own contributions. Appreciation for diversity and the ability to initiate learning processes and implementation of change are also part of it.

2. Must good leadership promote diversity?

Current studies show: Diverse teams produce better results. Diversity can include many things: age, gender, preferences, origin, education, experience, etc. Good leadership recognizes and incorporates the diverse experiences and perspectives of people. This also includes ensuring gender equality.

3. Do executives have social responsability?

On the one hand, the social responsibility of leaders differs according to industry (e.g. retail vs. healthcare sector). On the other hand, every company bears responsibility towards customers, employees and owners. Today, added to this is the responsibility to contribute to the sustainable and climate-neutral transformation of the economy and society and to participate in the preservation of the basis of life on earth.

4. How does leadership work in impact-oriented companies?

In order to develop impact-oriented business models that solve current social problems, diversity is necessary. This usually results in an inclusive leadership style based on cooperation and communication. But even in socially innovative companies you have to learn leadership techniques and implement them.

5. Is leadership a career step?

You can also make a career as a technical expert. However, if you want to take on a management position, you should question yourself and think about your values and your own dealings with people, power and communication. It is important to grow personally in the leadership task and also to offer the employees room for development.