What Type of Leader Do You Want to Be in 2025?
Michelle Winn 
Discover the leadership skills you need for 2025: with practical tips to lead with impact in an ever changing world.
What Type of Leader Do You Want to Be in 2025?
As we head into 2025, it’s natural to reflect on the past and set goals for the year ahead. Many of us focus on personal resolutions, like running a 10K, taking part in dry January or pursuing new hobbies, but what about your leadership goals? Have you considered the type of leader you want to be this year?
So, as you consider your goals for this year, ask yourself: What kind of impact do I want to make this year? What type of leader do I want to be for my team, my organisation, and myself?
Leadership now involves more than achieving business goals. It’s about inspiring teams, navigating challenges, and creating environments where people and organisations can thrive. The way you lead shapes the culture of your team or organisation, impacts the effectiveness and wellbeing of those around you, and determines your ability to navigate challenges effectively.
In a constantly changing world, with technological advancements and evolving workplace dynamics, leadership needs to be intentional, adaptable, and human - centred.
Success in 2025 starts with understanding the type of leader you want to become. In this blog, we’ll explore the key traits and skills today's leaders need to succeed and why taking time to reflect now can make all the difference.
Leadership in an ever changing world
In today's fast-paced world, leaders must navigate challenges defined by volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity— referred to as VUCA. The term VUCA was used by the U.S. Army War College to describe unpredictable battle conditions, but it has also become a cornerstone concept in leadership and organisational development.
In a VUCA world:
Volatility refers to the speed and magnitude of change, where events unfold quickly and unexpectedly, requiring leaders to adapt at a rapid pace.
Uncertainty highlights the lack of clarity about the future.
Complexity refers to the complex challenges leaders face with various external and internal forces shaping organisational success.
Ambiguity points to the unclear or vague nature of many situations, where leaders must act despite limited information.
In a VUCA world, traditional leadership methods - rooted in control, certainty, and concrete thinking - no longer work. Leaders in a VUCA world need to be flexible, adaptable, and forward-thinking. They must accept that they don’t have all the answers and embrace the fact that things are constantly changing.
Leaders also need to recognise and accept the challenges and stress a VUCA world brings and ensure that they have the support and structures in place to prevent burnout and safeguard their wellbeing and that of their teams.
Key leadership skills for 2025
Responsive vs. Reactive Leadership
During these VUCA times, one of the most crucial distinctions leaders must make is between being reactive and being responsive. Reactive leadership focuses on quick, knee-jerk responses to problems. While this can sometimes be necessary, it often leads to burnout and missed opportunities. Responsive leadership, on the other hand, involves pausing, reflecting, and then making a deliberate decision that considers the long-term implications.
Tip - Before jumping into action, take just a moment to pause, gather information, and reflect. This brief reflection time allows you to make more informed, strategic decisions. It also helps you manage your own stress, leading to a calmer, more composed leadership style.
Encourage a culture of thoughtful responses within your team, where input is valued and considered before acting.
By modelling this behaviour, you create a more supportive, collaborative environment where everyone feels heard and understood.
Agility & Adaptability
Agility is the ability to pivot when necessary, to change direction quickly, and to embrace new opportunities as they arise. In 2025, leaders must be agile, continuously assessing and reassessing their approach in response to evolving market conditions, diversifying workplaces and technological advancements. Adaptability ties into this, requiring leaders to challenge beliefs and be open to adjusting their strategies to meet new challenges.
Cultivate a growth mindset and curiosity by committing to continuous learning.
Embrace change as an opportunity, not a threat, and encourage your team to find positives in evolving situations.
Look for opportunities to innovate and adapt, and lead by example in embracing new ideas and approaches.
Emotional Intelligence (EQ)
Emotional Intelligence (EQ) is the cornerstone of effective leadership. Leaders with high EQ can manage their own emotions and understand others' feelings, creating an environment of trust and collaboration. In 2025, as work environments become more diverse and complex, emotional intelligence will be crucial for preventing stress, resolving conflicts, and motivating teams with empathy.
Tip - Develop your EQ by practicing active listening and self-awareness. When you listen to understand—not just provide solutions —you build stronger connections with your team.
Recognise and manage your own emotions in challenging situations, and try to remain calm and composed.
Be empathetic and compassionate to others, acknowledging their feelings and experiences. This creates a positive, supportive atmosphere that encourages team members to perform their best.
Inclusive Leadership & Decision-Making
Inclusive leadership embraces diversity, bringing a range of perspectives into decision-making processes. Diverse teams are proven to be more creative and effective, and inclusive leadership helps ensure that everyone feels valued and has a voice. In 2025, leaders must champion inclusivity, making it a key part of their leadership strategy.
Tip: Actively seek diverse viewpoints during decision-making. Ask your team for feedback and input on key initiatives or strategies. This not only leads to better decisions but also a sense of belonging and ownership among your team.
Create opportunities for everyone to speak up and share their ideas.
Acknowledge and celebrate different perspectives to foster an environment where inclusion is truly embraced.
Resilience & Wellbeing
Leadership in 2025 goes beyond guiding teams—it's also about managing your own wellbeing. With increased pressure and constant change, leaders must develop resilience to avoid burnout. Those who lead by example, showing their teams that wellbeing is important, create a more balanced and productive work culture.
Tip: Lead by example when it comes to taking care of your own health and resilience. Schedule regular breaks, practice mindfulness, and encourage your team to do the same.
Implement small wellness habits throughout the day, such as a 5-minute pause or a walk after a meeting, to recharge your mind.
Show empathy for your team’s mental health, and create an open environment where everyone feels comfortable discussing wellbeing.
In Conclusion..
As leaders in 2025, it’s important to reflect on the kind of leader you want to be. The world is changing rapidly, and only those who adapt, embrace challenges, communicate well and lead with empathy will thrive. By developing emotional intelligence, resilience, and focusing on your own wellbeing, you can build a strong foundation for success.
At Peak Positive, we offer coaching, workplace solutions and leadership development programmes to help you develop these essential skills. Contact us today to start your journey toward becoming the best leader you can be.
Categories: : Leadership, leadership development
