Working closely with companies in the mobility sector, I’ve observed a seismic shift in how we must adapt to thrive. Today’s landscape, marked by massive disruption and transformation, is driven by electrification, digitalization, automation, and a growing focus on service provision. This upheaval offers immense opportunities for growth and innovation, promising to add significant value for users, cities, and citizens. Mobility is set to become cleaner, safer, more climate-friendly, and resource-efficient.

Understanding the New Status Quo

Over the past five years, we’ve witnessed dramatic changes. Competition is global, fast, increasingly complex considering technologies and stakeholders, and innovation is the key parameter. Companies must now rethink their approach to leadership to stay competitive and fuel growth.

A decade ago, the industry evolved slowly. Leadership strategies focused on two main paths: delivering high-quality, low-cost products that met customer demands or differentiating from competitors by exceeding expectations, even at higher prices. Some companies led, others followed, and many lacked a clear strategy. Sales departments often held the most power within organizations.

Embracing Opportunities and Actions

Today, the rules have changed. Cost efficiency and differentiation are no longer enough. The new leadership paradigm demands agile, objective-oriented management across all levels and departments. This shift places leadership, R&D, and HR at the forefront, requiring clear targets, milestones, and integrated actions.

In my experience, this new approach is crucial. Companies must attract, retain and empower top talent, offering competitive remuneration and engaging them in top level decision making. Creating a sense of involvement at all company levels is equally important. Strategy should not be dictated solely by the Board of Directors. Instead, it must be developed and executed collaboratively throughout the company to ensure effectiveness and to power motivation.

Call to Action: Develop and Execute Agile Strategies

To fully harness the many upcoming opportunities in the ongoing disruption of the mobility sector, companies should:

1. Embrace Agile Leadership: Develop consistent cross company strategies and execute with agile, objective-oriented management to be quick and effective in grasping opportunities.

2. Attract, Retain and Empower Excellence: Engage all talent in shaping and executing company strategies to leverage on all competences and to achieve a sense of shared responsibility.

3. Promote Innovation: Foster a culture of change and innovation, where employees feel empowered to think and act out of the box, take risks and learn from failures.

By embracing these action points and adopting the new leadership paradigm, companies in the mobility industry can navigate the current disruption and emerge as leaders in a cleaner, safer, and more efficient future.

In this era of rapid change, we stand on the brink of a revolution in mobility. By companies adapting to new leadership paradigms and executing consistent agile strategies comprehensively across all levels and departments leveraging on the existing excellence of their experts, companies can unlock enormous opportunities for growth, innovation, and value creation.

Let’s seize this transformation and lead the way into a sustainable and prosperous future.