McKay outlined how leaders can become activists, and the importance of having a clear vision to stand behind. “The world needs to see you and it wants to hear you. It’s not interested in corporate claptrap, it wants to hear from you personally – what do you stand for? How do you connect with the communities you serve?” Having a purpose as an organisation will attract talented people who share your vision, she suggested.
Diversity will remain vital for progressive businesses, added McKay, calling for “no more bland boards”, but rather more younger, diverse non-exec directors who may not have the tenure of traditional board members, but who bring different skills and insight.
Leaders consider also whether shared leadership roles rather than the traditional linear ones could benefit their organisation, she added, pointing to Netflix, which has two CEOs, one responsible for content and one for streaming. Your company may have big, expansive, creative thinkers, and it may have people who are great on the technical detail. There is room for both of these types to work in complementary leadership roles towards the same goal, McKay argued. That goal? A successful, profitable company which is fit for a changing future.