Lack of Trust and Democratization of Leadership Identified by Panel as Leadership Game Changers

Survey of 130 Business Leaders Underscores Panel Comments, Declares Leaders are Born, Not Made

New York, NY - October 11, 2010

Discussion Highlights:

• Sustainable Leadership Defined: the ability to preserve leadership through all economic and business cycles
• Issues influencing Leadership Today
  • Lack of Trust
  • Democratization of Leadership – the power is with those who follow
• Trust is the Prescription for Sustainable Leadership. Build trust by:
  • Creating a personal connection…this was something we heard about all day at the World Business Forum…not just at our panel
  • Walking the talk…well done is more important than well said
  • Having a leader - usually the CEO – who is the keeper of the flame

Trustworthy leaders are authentic, connect on an emotional level and articulate a hopeful, aspirational vision

MWW Group/World Business Forum Survey:

MWW Group conducted a survey of more than 130 top global business executives attending WBF. Findings from the survey include:

• Speed of Information was cited as the biggest game changer for leaders today, according to one third of the respondents, closely followed by the economy (26 percent).
  • However, 11% believe that leadership has not changed.
• “Leaders are Born, Not Made” – most believe that leaders are born not made (68 percent). Conversely, the panelists were split as to whether leadership can be a learned skill versus solely an innate ability.
• However, one in four believes that “Leadership has been Democratized” and that the power lies with those who follow. Only six percent of respondents place the power of leadership within the position – automatically conferred upon assuming a role.
• Innovation and Nimbleness in Leaders are Valued More than Character, Salesmanship or the Ability to Build Consensus – two thirds of respondents selected either innovation, or being nimble and anticipatory as the single greatest quality for future leaders, ahead of traditional leadership traits such as character, salesmanship and consensus building.
• “Visionary vs. Execution – a Toss Up” – by a thin margin, respondents voted that a great leader should be visionary (55.6%) vs. decisive or action-oriented (44.4%)

Event Facts:

• MWW Group partnered with the World Business Forum (WBF) to host a VIP luncheon with a panel of global thought leaders and business executives who discussed the topic of sustainable leadership in rapidly changing times.
  • Panelists included Former White House Advisor David Gergen, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited CEO Jim Quigley and ING DIRECT USA Chairman and President Arkadi Kuhlmann.
  • This is the first time a public relations firm has participated in the World Business Forum as a sponsor.
• Michael W. Kempner, president and CEO of MWW Group, led the conversation on what it means to be a sustainable leader in rapidly changing times.
• The panel discussion was streamed live via Ustream and viewable at www.mww.com, offering a candid and unfiltered view of the panelists’ thoughts on sustainability and leadership.
• The WBF is the leading international symposium for the business community attended annually by more than 4,000 top executives from across the world.