The Program — Young Captain Netherlands

Personal compass

Geopolitical shifts, technological innovations, and sustainability issues are driving fundamental changes in the way organizations operate. Organizations are being shaken by shifting power dynamics, economic uncertainty, and rapidly changing regulations. The influence of investors, employees, media, consumers, and other stakeholders is growing.
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Organizations can no longer focus exclusively on short-term shareholder value; they must create sustainable long-term value for multiple stakeholders by balancing financial and economic results with transparency and societal interests.
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The quality of decisions made by executives in these turbulent times determines their effectiveness and legitimacy. This calls for executives who not only think strategically but can also navigate divergent, sometimes polarizing, interests. Sharp strategic insight and a strong awareness of one's own compass are essential to demonstrate effective and credible leadership.

In this complex and unpredictable BANI (Brittle, Anxious, Nonlinear, Incomprehensible) world, expectations of board members are changing dramatically. Leaders are expected to make courageous decisions, even when the consequences are uncertain, and to bring the voice of the next generation into the boardroom. This calls for a new kind of collective leadership — precisely the type of leadership that is central to the Young Captain Program.

As soon as you join an Executive Board, the expectations of both internal and external stakeholders grow significantly. Your role then extends beyond managing a specific function or business: you operate in diverse contexts and bear responsibility for the broader whole.

This two-day program has been developed to empower you, as a future executive, to lead effectively within an increasingly complex and dynamic organizational climate. You will develop strategic insight, sharpen your awareness of societal and governance issues, and learn how to fulfill your role as a future executive with confidence and impact.

Together with a select group of leading young leaders, we explore the questions surrounding leadership at board level, systemic change, and their impact on organizations. The program is structured around a number of "perspectives", based on the Leadership Landscapes framework by T. Cummings and J. Keen (2008):

The macro environment;

The sector, markets, and ecosystem in which organizations operate
The organization;

Personal leadership in the boardroom;

The director's personal leadership.

The program starts with the participant himself and then connects personal leadership questions with broader economic, social and organizational developments.

The program combines substantive sessions, case studies, discussions, and reflection with experienced professionals. Together, we explore how you, as a future executive, can contribute to sustainable and impactful organizations.

An introduction to the program, getting to know each other, and creating an open and stimulating learning environment.

Effective leadership starts with self-insight. In this session, we'll explore your leadership style, motives, and beliefs. Central questions include:

How do you handle uncertainty in decision-making?

What values guide your leadership?

And how do you create impact in an executive role?

Through reflection and dialogue, a firm basis is laid for the rest of the program.

The world is changing profoundly due to geopolitical tensions, economic shifts, and new regulations. International relations, trade conflicts, and changing power dynamics have direct consequences for companies and executives. How do these developments influence the strategic choices you face as a leader? What risks and opportunities arise? We examine key macroeconomic and geopolitical trends and discuss their impact on organizations and your role as an executive.

Executives operate in a complex playing field involving regulators, capital markets, media, consumers, and societal stakeholders. How do you handle the growing expectations around transparency and stakeholder management? Using case studies, we explore the rights, obligations, and responsibilities of executives.

Leadership in a BANI world means balancing context, innovation, digital transformation, cultural change, and strategic consistency. How do you ensure your organization remains resilient while preserving its core values? In this part of the program, we delve into strategic and personal dilemmas, and how you, as a leader, make a difference.

Digital transformation

Innovation and Strategic Renewal

Cultural change

Organizational resilience

The participants discuss strategic and personal dilemmas and explore how they, as leaders, can provide direction in complex situations.

As a board member, you are responsible not only for internal decision-making but also for how you communicate decisions externally. How do you handle the media, public opinion, and societal pressure? How do you maintain your integrity and independent vision in a world full of external influences?

We conclude the program with a focus on effective communication and the role of credibility in leadership.

Program
contents

Executive leadership
in a BANI world

The Changing Role of Directors

Two Days

Programcontents

Executive leadership in a BANI world

The Changing Role of Directors

Two Days

Program
contents

Executive leadership
in a BANI world