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What kind of superpowers do the mayors of tomorrow need?
According to the World Economic Forum, 56.2% of the global population lived in cities in 2020. People continue to flock to cities in search of better lives and more opportunities. European cities now house large numbers of people. According to numerous predictions, this trend will likely continue in the future. At the same time, numerous challenges continue to pose a serious threat to people around the world, regardless of where they live. Issues such as pollution and climate change, inequality and lack of diversity are all urgent issues that need immediate action.
Cities can and should play a part in creating solutions to these and many other problems. Cities whose leaders demonstrate a specific set of skills are more likely to lead their respective communities in that direction and secure long-term benefits. So, what type of leaders do the cities need? Committed, open-minded and proactive mayors are more likely to inspire change in their communities and implement policies that enable sustainable growth that all residents benefit from. What kind of skills can be considered particularly desirable when talking about mayors of today and tomorrow?
Cities as the main habitats have responsibility to tackle numerous urgent challenges together with their residents. Today, numerous European cities are home to diverse groups of people coming from different ethnic, national, religious and other backgrounds. More than ever, cities need inclusive leaders. They are vital to success because of their ability to assist in unleashing individual potential. Furthermore, they can deliver an excellent performance when it comes to fostering innovations and proposing outside-the-box solutions.
It is vital, according to the World Bank, to acknowledge that the notion of inclusive cities incorporates multiple spatial, social, and economic elements in order to ensure that cities of tomorrow provide opportunities for all. Despite widespread recognition and commitment, creating fully inclusive cities remains a huge problem. Therefore, mayors play a critical role in achieving inclusive growth.
Transparency is another significant quality that mayors of tomorrow must be able to demonstrate, as citizens have faith in mayors who are trustworthy and honest. Transparency in leadership aids in the proper setting and fulfillment of expectations. Leadership based on transparency is also more likely to ensure that people can have input on important decisions and can therefore strengthen the culture of trust inside communities.
Similarly, excellent communication skills are also vital. Effective leadership is built on the sharing and exchange of information, which is why this is another key-quality that a mayor must possess. Residents and city leaders must feel connected, regardless of the city’s size, which is exactly where communication plays an important role. According to the Center for Creative Leadership, a successful leader and communicator excels at not only communicating their own ideas, but also in aligning expectations.
Empathy is another quality that a mayor should possess. It enables leaders to better understand their communities and needs that they may have. In their October 2021 article, World Economic Forum named empathy ‘’the most important leadership skill for our troubled times.’’ WEF referred to a research conducted by Catalyst, a group that advocates for more women in leadership roles. By surveying 900 US employees, they discovered that nearly two-thirds of employees in businesses with an empathic leader were innovative at work, compared to only 13% in organizations where the CEO lacked empathy.
Moreover, it remains crucial for mayors to be agile. Urban centres are faced with mounting problems, many of which require quick and determined reaction from their leaders and local communities. To ensure that these difficulties are adequately addressed, mayors must be able to adapt to changing conditions in a timely and decisive manner. Finally, it is equally relevant for mayors to stay connected because most cities around the world share the same problems and concerns. In order to deliver the best results possible, it can be highly beneficial for local leaders to cooperate and work together whenever possible.
These are just a few of the skills that future mayors will need to address a growing number of issues effectively. In the next period, we will be speaking with mayors in order to gain an insight into which skills they consider important and how they’re preparing to tackle future challenges. (photo credit: macrovector/Freepik)
