Young Captain Program 2025

Board Leadership and System Shifts in a BANI World

At the heart of the program is the creation of sustainable, long-term value for multiple stakeholders. The Young Captain Program offers in-depth exploration of board-level decision-making and leadership in times of uncertainty.

Fundamental Shifts in Leadership and Organizational Contexts
Geopolitical shifts, technological innovation, and sustainability challenges are driving fundamental changes in how organizations operate. Changing power dynamics, economic uncertainty, and rapidly evolving regulations are disrupting traditional business models. Meanwhile, the influence of investors, employees, media, consumers, and other stakeholders is growing. Organizations can no longer focus solely on short-term shareholder value; they must now create long-term sustainable value for multiple stakeholders by balancing financial performance with transparency and societal responsibility.

In these turbulent times, the quality of decisions made by board members defines both their effectiveness and legitimacy. This requires leaders who are not only strategic thinkers, but also capable of navigating between diverse—often polarizing—interests. Strong strategic insight and a clear internal compass are essential for delivering effective and credible leadership.

The Changing Role of Board Leaders

In today’s complex and unpredictable BANI world (Brittle, Anxious, Nonlinear, Incomprehensible), expectations of board leaders are evolving rapidly. Leaders are expected to make courageous decisions—even when outcomes are uncertain—and to bring the voice of future generations into the boardroom. This calls for a new form of collective leadership: precisely the type of leadership that lies at the heart of the Young Captain Program.

Once you enter the Executive Board, expectations from both internal and external stakeholders increase significantly. Your role expands beyond leading a specific function or business area—you are expected to operate across diverse contexts and take responsibility for the broader organizational direction.

Structure of the Young Captain Program

This two-day program is designed to empower you, as a future board-level leader, to lead effectively in an increasingly complex and dynamic organizational landscape. You will develop strategic insight, deepen your understanding of societal and governance challenges, and learn how to step into your future leadership role with confidence and impact.

Together with a select group of high-potential young leaders, you will explore critical issues surrounding boardroom leadership, systemic change, and organizational transformation. The program is structured around a set of leadership ‘perspectives’, based on the Leadership Landscapes model by T. Cummings and J. Keen (2008):

The macro environment
The industry, markets & organizational eco-system in which you operate
Your organization
Your team
Your personal life and self-relationship

We begin with you as a leader (lens 5), and then move through lenses 1 to 3. Lens 4 is not covered in this program.

Program Structure and Themes

The program combines content-driven sessions, case studies, peer discussions, and reflection moments with experienced professionals. Together, we explore how you, as a future board-level leader, can contribute to building sustainable and impactful organizations.

Welcome and Introduction

An introduction to the program, an opportunity to get to know each other, and the creation of an open and engaging learning environment.

You as a Leader: Your Personal Life and Self-Relationship

Effective leadership starts with self-awareness. In this part of the program, we explore your leadership style, core values, and beliefs. How do you make decisions in the face of uncertainty? And how do you create impact in a boardroom role? Through reflection and interaction, we discover each other’s unique perspectives and strengths—laying a strong foundation for the rest of the program.

The Macro-Environment

The world is undergoing profound change driven by geopolitical tensions, economic shifts, and evolving regulatory frameworks. International relations, trade conflicts, and power dynamics have a direct impact on companies and their leaders. How do these developments influence the strategic choices you must make as a board member? What risks and opportunities arise? We examine key macroeconomic and geopolitical trends and discuss their impact on organizations—and your leadership responsibilities.

The Industry, Markets & Organizational Ecosystem in Which You Operate

Navigating the wider forces shaping business

As a board-level leader, you operate within a complex landscape of regulators, capital markets, media, consumers, and societal stakeholders. How do you manage increasing expectations around transparency and stakeholder engagement? Using real-world cases, we explore the rights, duties, and broader responsibilities of board members in today’s evolving business context.

Navigating complex organizational challenges and dilemmas

Leadership in a BANI world requires balancing context, innovation, digital transformation, cultural change, and strategic consistency. How do you ensure your organization remains resilient while staying true to its core values? This session dives into both strategic and personal dilemmas—and how your leadership can make the difference.

Credibility and External Communication

As a board member, your responsibilities go beyond internal decision-making—you also shape how decisions are communicated externally. How do you engage with the media, public opinion, and social pressure? How do you maintain your integrity and independent perspective in a world full of external influences? The program concludes with a focus on effective communication and the role of credibility in leadership.