The Role of Leadership in the Age of Disruptive Technologies: Insights from 1GEN's Virtual Global Cohort

Leadership must adapt and evolve in today’s rapidly evolving world, where disruptive technologies are revolutionizing industries and transforming societies. At 1GEN, we believe that leadership is not just about navigating change but about steering it in human-centered, ethical, and purposeful ways. As new technologies reshape everything from healthcare to education, leaders face the challenge of integrating these innovations responsibly, ensuring they benefit all generations. At the heart of this change lies a collaborative approach—where diverse voices, values, and expertise come together to build a better, more sustainable future.

In December 2024, we launched our first Global Cohort virtual round table conference, bringing together six visionary leaders to explore "The Role of Leadership in the Age of Disruptive Technologies." These thought leaders, each a pioneer in their field, shared insights that are set to redefine leadership for the digital age. Their shared vision highlighted the importance of collaboration, emotional intelligence, and ethical innovation in creating a future where technology enhances rather than diminishes human connection.

Let’s dive into the perspectives of these leaders, who each bring valuable expertise and leadership experience to the table:

1. The Convergence of Technology and Purpose

Paul Singh Oberoi , CEO of 1GEN opened the session with a powerful message about the importance of intentional leadership. His vision for 1GEN focuses on fostering purpose-driven leadership—leaders who can effectively balance the demands of innovation with the ethical implications of emerging technologies. Paul works tirelessly to create an environment where global leaders can collaborate, co-create, and shape a future that aligns with shared values, sustainability, and inclusivity. His approach emphasizes human connection and empathy, ensuring that leadership in the age of disruption is rooted in compassion and responsibility.

2. Harnessing Tech for Social Impact

As the Chief Technology Officer of 1GEN, Rajbir Kaur is responsible for overseeing the integration of disruptive technologies such as AI, blockchain, and cloud computing to solve real-world challenges. Rajbir emphasized that the true power of disruptive technologies lies in their ability to solve real-world challenges.

"Technology should always serve a broader human purpose," Rajbir asserts. "Whether it's AI-powered healthcare diagnostics or blockchain for transparent supply chains, our focus should be on leveraging these tools to create tangible benefits for society."

Rajbir's approach highlights a crucial aspect of modern leadership: the ability to see beyond the hype of new technologies and identify opportunities for meaningful impact.

3. Bridging Generational Divides in the Digital Age

Joerg Altekruse, founder of Youth4Planet and CreatiVelo, shared his passion for intergenerational collaboration in addressing sustainability challenges. With a background in filmmaking, education, and environmental activism, Joerg has dedicated his career to engaging young people in global efforts to protect the planet. 

Through Youth4Planet, Joerg connects youth from around the world, fostering a shared vision for the future. He highlighted the importance of bridging generational divides, allowing older generations to pass on wisdom and experience, while younger generations bring their tech-savvy, innovative solutions to the table. For Joerg, leadership in the face of disruptive technologies means creating purpose-driven initiatives that empower young people to take action for sustainability and environmental justice.

4. The Mindful Tech Leader

Dr. Amit Biswas, founder of Amit Biswas Circle Limited, is a visionary leader in mental health, mindfulness, and compassionate communication. As a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, Dr. Amit works to raise awareness around mental health challenges, particularly among young people. 

He has pioneered mindfulness-based workshops that focus on emotional resilience, self-mastery, and compassionate communication, enabling leaders to navigate disruptive times with empathy and understanding. His leadership emphasizes the need to engage young people in co-producing the solutions that affect their lives, particularly in the digital age where technology often shapes emotional and psychological development. Dr Amit advocates for an ethical approach to technology—one that prioritizes the mental and emotional well-being of individuals while harnessing the potential of AI and digital tools for good.

5. Empowering Senior Citizens through Technology

Nidhi Chawla, the CEO of Silver Talkies, has spent years advocating for the empowerment of older adults, particularly those over the age of 55. Her organization helps seniors overcome challenges like loneliness, social isolation, and lack of purpose by providing platforms for engagement, learning, and intergenerational connection. 

Nidhi believes that technology can be a transformative tool for older adults, helping them stay connected with family, access health resources, and contribute to society in meaningful ways. She highlighted the need for intergenerational collaboration, where both young and older generations can work together to tackle global challenges. As a leader, Nidhi is committed to creating purposeful aging communities where seniors can thrive and lead active, fulfilling lives.

6. Integrating Mindfulness in Education

Janice, the co-founder of Inner Explorer, works to integrate mindfulness practices into K-12 education. Inner Explorer provides mindfulness-based programs designed to improve the mental health and emotional well-being of students. Janice’s focus is on teaching students how to self-regulate and cultivate emotional resilience in the face of rising pressures, especially those stemming from technology and social media. 

In her leadership, Janice emphasizes that the human element—compassion, mindfulness, and emotional awareness—must always be central, even in the digital age. By incorporating mindfulness into schools, Janice believes we can build a generation that not only excels academically but also navigates the challenges of modern life with greater self-awareness and emotional intelligence.

Janice's approach underscores the importance of developing well-rounded leaders who can balance technological expertise with strong interpersonal and intrapersonal skills.

The Future of Leadership: Navigating Disruptive Change with Purpose

The conversation among these leaders offered profound insights into the evolving role of leadership in a world marked by disruptive technologies. Here are some key takeaways:

1. The Importance of Intergenerational Collaboration:

Whether it's Joerg’s efforts with Youth4Planet or Nidhi’s initiatives at Silver Talkies, all the speakers emphasized the need for intergenerational collaboration. Leadership in the digital age involves bridging generational gaps and finding ways to ensure that older generations can pass on wisdom, while younger generations contribute with their innovative solutions and technological expertise.

2. Emotional Literacy and Ethical Leadership:

A common theme emerged around the need for emotional literacy in leadership. As Rajbir pointed out, leadership today requires both technical expertise and the ability to navigate emotional landscapes. Dr. Amit highlighted the necessity of mindfulness and compassionate communication to build trust and foster cooperation, especially as digital tools shape our emotional and social lives.

3. Purpose-Driven Technology:

Technology with purpose was another central theme. As Joerg and Nidhi noted, it’s not enough to simply adopt new technologies. Purpose-driven use of technology, whether to address environmental issues or support aging communities, is critical. Leaders must ensure that technology aligns with broader societal goals—whether that’s sustainability, healthcare, or social connection.

4. The Role of Collaboration in Innovation:

Innovation is most powerful when it’s collaborative, not just among technology experts but across sectors, generations, and cultures. Leaders like Janice and Amit emphasized that involving diverse voices in the creation of new solutions—especially those who will be directly impacted by them—is essential. Whether it’s using AI for healthcare solutions or engaging youth in environmental advocacy, co-creation is key to ensuring technology serves humanity’s greatest needs.

A Human-Centered Approach to Disruptive Change

As the world continues to grapple with the rapid pace of technological change, the leaders at 1GEN’s virtual global cohort meeting shared a collective vision: one where technology enhances human connection and serves to address the most pressing issues of our time. Whether it’s through emotional literacy, intergenerational collaboration, or purposeful technology, leaders in the digital age must ensure that technology is always used to empower, not isolate; to build bridges, not walls.

At 1GEN, we are committed to fostering a community of leaders who embrace this holistic, ethical, and human-centered approach to innovation. By working together, we can navigate the complexities of disruptive technologies and create a future where people and technology thrive.

The Road Ahead: GLOBAL COHORT

As we reflect on the insights shared at 1GEN's Global Cohort, a new vision of leadership emerges—purpose-driven, technologically savvy, emotionally intelligent, and inclusive across generations. This evolved form of leadership is crucial for navigating the challenges of the digital age and actively shaping a future where technology enhances human potential and addresses global challenges.

The conversations sparked at our virtual roundtable are just the beginning. As we look forward to our next Global Cohort in 2025, we invite leaders from all sectors to join us in reimagining leadership for the digital age. Together, we can create a future where technology and humanity thrive in harmony, driven by visionary leadership that puts purpose and people at the heart of innovation.

Are you ready to be part of this leadership evolution? Share your thoughts on the biggest leadership challenges in the age of AI using #1GENLeadership. Let's continue this crucial conversation and shape the future of leadership together.