The Era of Monologues in Business Is Over. The Age of Listening Begins

In the business world, people often talk about the “gap” between generations as if it were no man’s land. At NEWTON University, we decided to bridge that gap and turn it into a unique opportunity.

As part of the official launch of the Centre of Excellence, established as a strategic partnership between our university and the Czech Management Association (ČMA), winners of the Manager of the Year award sat down at one table with NEWTON students. The result? Clear proof that modern leadership is not about the date on your ID card, but about the ability of generations to listen to one another and share a common vision.

Leadership for a New Generation

The discussion format, titled “Leadership for a New Generation,” was built around a system of two concentric circles. The inner circle consisted of representatives from both organizations, experienced business leaders, and students who had participated in the executive shadowing programme. The outer circle included additional students, company representatives, and members of the public. While the inner circle engaged in lively discussion, the outer circle observed, took notes, and reflected on the conversation at the end of the session.

“I was nervous at first because I’m only in my first year compared to all these accomplished professionals,” admitted Nela Novotná, one of the NEWTON students. “But they reassured us that they can also learn from us and that the perspective of the younger generation can bring them real value.”

Breaking down these barriers is exactly the purpose of the partnership with ČMA: connecting the very best from business practice with those who will be shaping business ten years from now.

A Leader as Someone Who “Frames the Path”

One key idea emerged during the debate: traditional hierarchy is an obstacle. Petr Střelec from Thermo Fisher emphasized that “hierarchy is essentially the opposite of leadership.” A true leader does not need to command people; if they can share a vision and explain the purpose behind the work, people will follow naturally.

This approach requires experienced managers to genuinely listen to young people’s need for “space and purpose.” Ladislav Chodák added with refreshing self-reflection: “In the past, we mostly used students to help identify dead ends. Today, it occurred to me that we should involve them directly in management and in discovering future managerial stars.”

That is why one of the key pillars of the Centre of Excellence will be the further development of the Executive Shadowing project.

The Simple Mathematics of Leadership: Who Pulls and Who Holds Back?

Despite the emphasis on empathy, the discussion also addressed the hard facts of effectiveness.

“In every team, 20% of people pull the cart forward, 60% go along for the ride, and 20% hold it back,” one speaker noted during the debate.

The modern leadership approach promoted by NEWTON and ČMA teaches future managers to have the courage to remove the 20% who are slowing the team down and activate those who are simply coasting.

There is no room in the teams of the future for toxicity or excuses like “it’s not my fault.” Although the world is moving toward extreme automation and AI, the value of “humanity and understanding” continues to grow, as highlighted by Kryštof Hanzal, a third-year Global Business and Management student and administrator of the NEWTON University Angels investment platform.

Centre of Excellence: A Bridge Between Theory and the Top League of Business

The launch of the Centre of Excellence is not merely a formal gesture. It is a commitment to long-term collaboration, in-depth analysis of data from the Manager of the Year competition, and the creation of benchmarks for Czech business.

“What I’m taking away from this is how valuable it is not to do things alone, and how important the people around us truly are,” one of the speakers concluded.

Whether you are just beginning your journey at NEWTON or standing at the top of the Czech management elite within ČMA, the ability to hear the voice of another generation is what determines whether your cart moves forward.

The future belongs to those who understand that the wisdom of experience and the drive of youth are simply two sides of the same coin. The Centre of Excellence is the place where those two sides meet.