In this edition of The Connected Leadership Bytes, Andy Lopata revisits a powerful conversation from the archives with Rebecca Robins, Global Chief Learning and Culture Officer at global branding agency Interbrand. This episode explores how to nurture and empower the next generation of leaders. The central focus is Interbrand’s innovative "Horizon Board"—a shadow board of aspiring talent under 30 who work alongside the executive team. Rebecca explains how this initiative provides invaluable experience and mentorship for rising stars while injecting fresh perspectives into top-level decision-making. The discussion examines the critical shift from dismissing "soft skills" to championing empathy, curiosity, and collaboration as essential leadership competencies. Andy and Rebecca also cover the practical mechanics of creating a successful two-way mentoring program, fostering vulnerability between senior and junior talent, and embedding a culture where bold ideas can thrive without causing disruptive conflict. This episode is a masterclass in building a truly connected, cross-generational leadership pipeline that future-proofs the entire organisation. Key Takeaways Soft Skills Are the Hard Skills: Skills like empathy, generosity, and curiosity are not optional extras; they are the fundamental drivers of high-performing, collaborative teams and are more critical than ever in a hybrid world. Establish a Next-Generation Board: Creating a formal platform like a "Horizon Board" gives young talent direct access to leadership, providing them with experience while ensuring senior executives stay connected to new, vital perspectives. Mentoring Must Be a Two-Way Street: Effective mentoring is a value exchange. Senior leaders have as much to learn from the insights of junior talent as the other way around, creating a richer, more dynamic relationship.  SELECTED LINKS FROM THE EPISODE Connect with Andy Lopata: Website | Instagram | LinkedIn | X/Twitter | YouTube Connect with Rebecca Robins: LinkedIn The Financial Times Guide to Mentoring Episode 132 Featuring Rebecca Robins