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A new generation of leaders is getting ready to face new challenges as a result of changes in political demands and needs, which have varied in content and intensity. The teams of public affairs professionals at LLORENTE & CUENCA have identified who, from Spain’s, Portugal’s and Latin America’s emerging leaders, have the potential to take over.
The report analyzes the following countries: Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Chile, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Portugal and Spain. It should be noted the report does not aim to include every potential key player in the coming years. Instead, we selected individuals who, due to their characteristics and political projection, have the future potential to assume a leadership role in their respective countries’ political landscape. Each of the profiles selected then answered a short questionnaire. By analyzing their responses, we obtained unique insight on those who are currently in a position to influence the future decisions and directions of their respective countries.
Self-evidently, the profiles of the future leaders put forward differ but all share a common idea about democracy and political freedoms, regardless of their political families. Future politicians vary in gender, age and ideologies which change depending on their local context. However, they also share characteristics beyond the realities of each country and the idiosyncrasies of their political systems.
The future leaders included in the report share the thought that social media is nowadays a fundamental communications tool and most of them use it as way to be in direct contact with the public. They also share fundamental characteristics and are empathetic, active listeners; communicative and brave enough to deal with challenges. Amongst these challenges, the need for a solid reputation to be able to withstand the voting public’s political indifference and the need to reestablish trust in institutions stand out. This new generation of leaders also puts their focus on the need to reduce inequality and poverty and create a sustainable socioeconomic future.
Generally speaking, we are presented with men and women who defend the need to incentivize investment and economic growth but who, at the same time, insist this should be used to reduce socio-economic inequalities and be sustainable. These are leaders with a horizontal and cooperative type of leadership, centered on internal and societal consensus and pragmatism.
Another important aspect is the growing balance between the number of men and women who are attaining senior posts of responsibility. From the leaders who stand out, we noticed a growing involvement by women, affording greater social sensitivity, pragmatism and a broad-based approach to the manner of conducting politics in the region. The growing number of women in positions of responsibility coincides with a greater focus on historically excluded collectives, particularly young people and women of humbler origins and indigenous minorities in countries such as Bolivia and Ecuador.
In summary, Latin America, Spain and Portugal are moving toward policies that are more environmentally sustainable, socially sensitive and ensure greater gender equality, underlining the commitment to the market economy and liberal democracy.
The text below is an extract of a regional report written by LLORENTE & CUENCA’s Partner and Vice-President of Public Affairs, Joan Navarro. You may find the complete report in http://www.developing-ideas.com/
