Learning workshop: ‘Leadership in a Changing World of Values’

Over four days in early November, representatives from business, politics, the civil service and non-profit organisations discussed leadership in 2030 with, amongst others, the former Minister-President of Saxony, Prof. Dr Georg Milbradt. Sören Bachmann attended the conference on behalf of the Hamburger Stiftung für Wirtschaftsethik. A central theme in the presentations and workshops was the question of what approach to leadership is best suited to successfully reconciling increasing cultural diversity with the changing expectations of employees from different generations. The training of tomorrow’s leaders was identified as a key task in this regard. Company representatives emphasised the importance of ‘good leadership’ and a visible corporate culture in the face of intensifying competition for the best staff. They also highlighted the need for adjustments to staff selection processes, which in future must be based even more on aptitude than on knowledge. Looking ahead to the continuation of the learning workshop next year, the participants also highlighted the need for a more in-depth examination of the ethical aspects of leadership and corporate behaviour.

The Hamburger Stiftung für Wirtschaftsethik addresses, amongst other things, issues of leadership in the context of a potential shift in values through its ‘Ethical Leadership Assessment’ project. In December 2014, the study ‘Ethical Leadership Assessment – The Future of Value-Oriented Recruitment’ was published in collaboration with the Dr. Jürgen Meyer Stiftung.