Leadership in Asia-Pacific’s new era of disruption
In the last five years, the leadership landscape across Asia-Pacific has been transformed by relentless disruption, from rapid advances in artificial intelligence to shifting regulatory landscapes and a growing deficit of trust. Steve Fontanot, Commercial Managing Director for Asia-Pacific at Havas Red, shares his perspective on this new reality and the challenges it poses for executives.
In an environment where change is constant and often unpredictable, values are no longer just organisational rhetoric, they are the compass guiding every decision and communication.
Asia-Pacific’s diverse markets; from India to Japan, Singapore to Thailand, demand leadership that stands firm on clear principles amid complex political and social shifts. Leaders must communicate with consistency and accountability, avoiding reactive stances that erode trust.
My experience has shown that winning leadership in this context requires boldness paired with humility, and an unwavering commitment to values that transcend momentary trends or pressures.
Mastering the platform-native leadership
The age of top-down, one-way executive messaging is over. Today’s effective leaders engage their stakeholders across multiple platforms and channels, each demanding a distinct tone yet unified narrative.
CEOs must navigate this ‘Mixternal’ reality, where internal and external communications are deeply intertwined, to create messages that resonate authentically both inside and outside the organisation.
Embracing AI as a strategic leadership co-pilot
Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping how leaders gather insight and make decisions, enhancing agility in high-pressure environments. From scenario modelling to audience sentiment analysis, AI tools can amplify leadership visibility and responsiveness.
But AI is an enabler, not a replacement. Human judgment, ethical oversight, and emotional intelligence remain essential to ensure AI-driven insights are interpreted with nuance. Leaders who strike this balance can leverage AI to deepen connection and build credibility, while those who over-rely on automation risk losing the human touch that defines trusted leadership.
Conclusion
Asia-Pacific’s future belongs to leaders who rise to these challenges with clarity, coherence, and conviction. By anchoring leadership in values, mastering cross-platform engagement, and integrating AI responsibly, this new generation can transform visibility into influence, and disruption into opportunity.
