Leading Through the Fourth Industrial Revolution

White Paper

Leading through the Fourth Industrial Revolution Putting People at the Centre

In collaboration with Accenture

January 2019

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Contents

Foreword

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Executive summary

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1. Rethinking responsible leadership in the Fourth Industrial Revolution

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1.1 Looking at leadership through a new lens by putting people at the centre

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1.2 Building transformational leadership behaviours

10

2. Leadership in advanced manufacturing and production

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2.1 The changing role of leaders in manufacturing and production

12

2.2 Forging a multistakeholder compact for production workforce enablement

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2.3 Challenging established paradigms about the production workforce

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3. No. 1 job for production leaders: Enable workers

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3.1 The changing nature of work in production

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3.2 Attract, enable, involve and engage the production workforce

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3.3 Reshape the broader enablement environment in production

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4. Conclusion and next steps

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Acknowledgements

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Endnotes

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Leading through the Fourth Industrial Revolution: Putting People at the Centre

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Leading through the Fourth Industrial Revolution: Putting People at the Centre

Foreword

The Fourth Industrial Revolution requires a new leadership paradigm. Turbulent times call for an approach that puts people at the centre of manufacturing and production. Leaders must transform their organizations to stay relevant and competitive amidst unprecedented change, but they must do so in a manner that guides the people in their workforce to opportunities and prosperity.

How is the leadership landscape shifting? What behaviours most effectively drive organizations and society to a more sustainable, inclusive future? Putting people at the centre means investing in the knowledge, skills and mindsets required to navigate the complexities of today and tomorrow.

Helena Leurent, Head of Shaping the Future of Advanced Manufacturing and Production, Member of the Executive Committee, World Economic Forum

The time to act is now. Leaders no longer have the luxury of preparing for the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Its disruptive forces can already be felt across all organizations as unprecedented technological advances drive seismic shifts. These are amplified by associated trends, such as protectionism and nationalism, increasing environmental constraints and rising inequality.

Can we adapt in time? In his article "Grappling with Globalization 4.0", Klaus Schwab, Founder and Chairman of the World Economic Forum, states that the Fourth Industrial Revolution has introduced a new economy and new globalization that require innovative forms of governance to protect the public good. The human condition, he proposes, is in the hands of leaders from business, government, civil society and academia ? and its future well-being depends on their timely adaptation to these changes.

Leaders across production value chains have the opportunity to drive transformation by elevating and enabling their workforces. Manufacturing has traditionally supported economic growth and prosperity in both developed and developing countries. By putting people at the centre, production leaders can catalyse the next wave of economic growth to the benefit of over 1 billion workers.

The path forward involves adopting key leadership behaviours. Crucial to this are new partnerships among businesses, governments, educational institutions and labour, and social partners, which help ensure positive outcomes for people while enabling production workers.

Ellyn Shook, Chief Leadership and Human Resources Officer Accenture, USA

This White Paper explores these challenges and potential solutions. Leveraging the Forum's platform, production leaders have an opportunity ? indeed, an obligation ? to work together in novel ways. A new, people-centred leadership paradigm can unlock the potential of the Fourth Industrial Revolution for businesses, individuals and communities.

Leading through the Fourth Industrial Revolution: Putting People at the Centre

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