A new report released by the UN Youth Office, the St. Gallen Symposium and The Club of Rome is calling on businesses to embrace intergenerational leadership as a driver of innovation, sustainability, and long-term success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Titled How Intergenerational Leadership Unlocks Innovation and Sustainability in Business<\/em>, the report outlines how the widening age gap in corporate leadership\u2014where the average CEO is 56.8 years old while the global workforce median age is 39.6\u2014risks holding back progress. It argues that involving younger generations meaningfully in decision-making across all levels of an organisation creates forward-thinking institutions that are more responsive to the complex challenges facing the world today, while also ensuring long-term sustainability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAs we look to build a more just, sustainable, and prosperous future, the inclusion of younger generations in decision-making is a strategic imperative,\u201d said Felipe Paullier, Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs, United Nations Youth Office.<\/strong> \u201cFrom my vantage point within the UN, I\u2019ve seen how intergenerational leadership can strengthen institutions\u2019 ability to navigate complexity and drive meaningful change. Businesses that explore similar approaches may find new pathways to resilience and long-term advantage.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The report identifies five key benefits of intergenerational leadership: greater empathy with employees and customers, longer-term strategic thinking, disruption of outdated practices, creative problem-solving through generational diversity, and enhanced governance and accountability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To help organisations take action, the report outlines three practical approaches:
Consultation<\/strong> \u2013 through mechanisms such as reverse mentoring and youth advisory boards;
Co-leadership<\/strong> \u2013 integrating younger voices directly into decision-making structures; and
Embedding<\/strong> \u2013 building intergenerational collaboration into organisational strategy, structure, and culture.
Drawing on research and real-world examples, the report shows that businesses that embrace intergenerational leadership can better navigate complexity, drive innovation, and deliver on sustainability goals\u2014unlocking value for people, planet and profit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n