In an era of constant disruption and shifting workplace expectations, leadership is no longer just about setting direction—it’s about building trust, adapting quickly, and inspiring purpose.
For Jun Roy, Certified Management Consultant and CEO of the Regenerative Transformation Institute, there are four leadership qualities that matter most today. And at the top of the list is agility.
“Leaders need to quickly adapt to change while enabling rapid yet effective execution of innovative ideas,” Roy told Financial Adviser. In a fast-moving business environment, leaders who resist change risk becoming obsolete. Agility isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s essential for survival.
But agility is only one piece of the puzzle. Roy says today’s leaders must also lead with empathy.
“Leaders need to develop the ability to deeply understand the goals, needs, and challenges of their people and stakeholders. By doing so, leaders can build deeper trust, which is the currency of influence,” he explained.
For Roy, trust is not built through authority—it’s earned through connection. Empathetic leaders create a sense of psychological safety that allows teams to thrive, especially in uncertain times.
The third quality? Being purpose-driven. Roy echoes Simon Sinek’s famous insight: “People don’t buy what you do; they buy why you do it.” Leaders who can articulate and live out their purpose inspire more committed and engaged teams. “Today’s workforce need leaders who can inspire them to appreciate the greater purpose of what they do and provide them opportunities to be engaged in meaningful undertakings,” he said.
Finally, Roy champions a concept he calls Regenerative Leadership—a holistic approach to leadership that fosters work-life harmony, sustainability, and systems thinking.
“The current workforce needs leaders who can bring work-life harmony in the workplace—leaders who enable people, organizations, and ecosystems to thrive together,” he shared.
In Roy’s view, leadership isn’t about control—it’s about cultivation. And that means leading with compassion, resilience, and a clear sense of mission.
As businesses navigate complex social, environmental, and technological changes, Roy’s message is timely and urgent: leaders must evolve. The ones who succeed won’t just be strategic thinkers—they’ll be empathetic, agile, purpose-driven, and committed to building regenerative cultures that last.
