Young Managers Wanted to Reimagine the Future of Leadership
On 11 February, the headquarters of CEC European Managers in Brussels will host a dedicated discussion bringing together young leaders and managers for an open and forward-looking exchange on leadership, meaning, and the future.
Younger generations of leaders are confronted with growing uncertainty, rising anxiety, and a sense that traditional leadership models no longer provide sufficient direction.
CEC European Managers is opening a space for dialogue that places young professionals at the centre of the conversation.
The discussion will be held with Olivier Maffrand, founder and CEO of Singulair, a pioneering company and global leader in the inspection of wind turbine infrastructures. Over the past year, Olivier Maffrand has been working closely with editorial advisor Julien Cros on a simple yet essential question: how can we help younger generations rediscover a desire for a hopeful future?
We cannot speak about the future without listening to those who are already building it. This book is an attempt to restore confidence and hope, starting from the experiences of younger generations and more particularly in the economical and corporate world.”
Olivier Maffrand
This reflection has led to an ongoing book project — both personal and political — exploring some of the major challenges of our time: a fragmented world, an increasingly anxious generation, a lack of vision in leadership, and technologies advancing faster than the meaning we collectively give them.
Currently being written, the book aims to open a debate that is both calm and committed, encouraging reflection rather than confrontation.
The discussion is fully aligned with this approach. Its premise is clear: we cannot talk about the future without those who are already building it. Olivier Maffrand’s objective is not to deliver answers, but to listen — to what young leaders experience in their professional lives, what they observe in their organisations and societies, and what drives them to act, or sometimes to resist.
The session is designed as a discussion–debate, aimed at young professionals, entrepreneurs, managers, and individuals engaged in public, social, or economic life.
Rather than a formal conference, it will take the form of a 1h30 interactive group discussion, bringing together 8 to 10 participants in a setting that encourages open and honest exchanges. No prior knowledge is required; this is not an exercise or a test, but a genuine conversation.
The purpose of the discussion is threefold: to share key ideas and excerpts from the book project, to open a free and honest conversation about points of resonance or tension, and to enrich the reflection with the concrete experiences of young leaders and managers.
By hosting this event at its Brussels headquarters, CEC European Managers reaffirms its commitment to intergenerational dialogue and to ensuring that the perspectives of young managers are heard in broader debates on leadership and the future of work.
As a European social partner, CEC considers the involvement of younger generations essential to shaping sustainable, meaningful, and forward-looking leadership models.
