The Future of Leadership study

Study by Bucerius CLP & Egon Zehnder (2021)
Prof. Dr. Madeleine Bernhardt, co-author

The Future of Leadership examines how leaders in law firms and legal departments navigate transformation in a complex, fast-changing world. Based on in-depth interviews with 30 top legal executives, the study identifies three decisive dimensions of modern leadership:

• Personal and professional excellence: Mindset trumps skills. Leaders must develop self-awareness, emotional regulation, and integrity to inspire trust and drive performance.
• Strategic transformation: Future-ready leaders act as framers of change—they foster growth mindsets, communicate transparently, and empower teams to innovate across boundaries.
• Adaptive leadership altitudes: Successful leaders balance strategic, operational, and personal perspectives—connecting systems, relating to people, and reflecting on their own mindset.

At its core, the study concludes that the future of leadership is adaptive, relational, and deeply human—driven by curiosity, integrity, and the courage to transform oneself while transforming organisations.

Download the full study