5IR Leadership: Hire for What’s Coming, Not What’s Been

Written by: Ashleigh Ball, Consultant and Sustainability Ambassador,  AIMS South Africa 

I recently found myself in a meeting with a data engineer who kept talking about the 5th Industrial Revolution (5IR)... and honestly, I’m still stuck on the second one—arguably the one that had the biggest impact on society.

But here we are, living through a defining shift in how businesses operate, lead, and grow—especially as AI becomes part of our everyday lives.

The 5th IR is not just a continuation of the 4IR - it’s a deliberate course correction. After a decade of digitisation, AI, and automation, the world is demanding more than speed and scale. It’s demanding humanity.

And because I’m in the leadership business, this revolution calls for new questions:

• What does leadership look like in a world where technology and humanity must co-exist?

• How do we build organisations that are not only efficient—but ethical, inclusive, and sustainable?

• Are today’s leaders equipped to navigate complexity, uncertainty, and AI-powered disruption?

The answers aren't simple—but the questions are urgent.

What Is the 5th Industrial Revolution?

The 5IR is defined by the collaboration between human intelligence and machine intelligence - but not at the cost of values, connection, or conscience.

If the 4IR was about what technology can do, the 5IR asks:

What should we do with it?

We’re entering an era where:

• AI and robotics work alongside human creativity - not to replace it

• Purpose and ethics are boardroom-level priorities

• Customers and employees are demanding transparency, sustainability, and shared value

• Leadership is no longer just functional - it’s emotional, cultural, and visionary

So What Does This Actually Mean for Business and Leadership?

It means that thriving in this new era isn’t just about having the right systems or hitting quarterly targets. The game has shifted. Your competitive edge now lies in the quality of your leadership.

Specifically, leadership that is:

1. Tech-fluent—but not tech-obsessed

Yes, leaders need to understand AI, data, and digital tools. But being tech-savvy isn’t enough. They need to know how to use these tools - and more importantly, why. Tech should enhance human experience, not replace it. Leaders must be able to translate digital innovation into business value without losing sight of people.

2. Emotionally intelligent

With remote work, global teams, and growing levels of burnout, the ability to connect with and support people is non-negotiable. Leaders need to build psychological safety, encourage open communication, and make space for wellbeing. It’s about leading with empathy while still driving performance.

3. Purpose-driven and ESG-literate

Investors, consumers, and employees are paying attention to what companies stand for. Leaders must embed purpose into strategy and understand ESG - because sustainability, ethics, and governance are no longer “nice-to-haves.” They're decision-making criteria. Leaders can't outsource this to another department. It needs to sit at the core of how they operate.

4. Adaptable and future-literate

The half-life of skills and strategies is getting shorter. What worked five years ago might already be irrelevant. Leaders need to be comfortable with ambiguity, open to unlearning, and constantly scanning the horizon. Agility, curiosity, and resilience are critical traits for staying ahead of disruption.

We're not in an era where technical expertise or past success is enough. We're in one that requires bold thinking, a high tolerance for complexity, and a deep understanding of people.

This isn’t a leadership upgrade - it’s a leadership transformation.

Why Executive Search Matters More Than Ever

In this context, hiring leaders is no longer a matter of CVs and past experience. It’s about potential, alignment, and readiness for a world we’re only beginning to understand.

That’s where executive search plays a critical role.

A strong search partner helps businesses:

• Rethink leadership roles for a rapidly changing future

• Assess candidates beyond credentials, focusing on mindset, values, and resilience

• Identify individuals who can lead responsibly through technological, social, and environmental disruption

• Navigate global talent markets with insight, discretion, and strategy

This isn’t about plugging gaps. It’s about building the leadership capability your future will demand.

Final Thought: Are You Hiring for Yesterday’s World - or Tomorrow’s?

The 5th Industrial Revolution isn’t just a business trend - it’s a philosophical shift in how we think about work, leadership, and progress.

As we face accelerating change, it’s not just your products or strategies that need to evolve - it’s the people at the helm.

Choosing the right leaders today is the most powerful investment you can make in your company’s future.

Who Will Lead the 5th Industrial Revolution?