Manager Congress ‘Leaders of the Future’: AI has led to a new deal and everyone has equal chances

In Opatija, organized by the Croatian Association of Managers and Entrepreneurs CROMA, the manager congress ‘Leaders of the Future’ was held, which opened a series of questions but also provided answers on the development of technology and the application of artificial intelligence, education and training of Generation Z, and how to adapt to the new generation coming, and finally, how to achieve a balance between business and private life. In other words, how to be a successful entrepreneur and manager who will avoid burnout and align business and family obligations.

As part of the congress, a panel ‘AI – opportunity or threat’ was held, which began with a presentation of research conducted in Croatia. The results show that almost the majority of Croatian citizens have a negative attitude, which did not surprise the panelists, as one of the panel participants said,’people fear new technologies, new machines, so just as they destroyed steam engines in the 19th century, it is not unusual that they also fear the emergence and use of artificial intelligence’.

Speaking about numerous benefits, the greatest of them was said to be that artificial intelligence ‘has led to a new deal and everyone has equal chances for new development’.

The data that opened the second panel ‘The Future of Manager Education – Generation Z’ that 25 percent of the world’s population belongs to Generation Z, and even more than one-third of employees come from Generation Z additionally drew the attention of the participants. How well do we know Generation Z, do we know their desires and needs, what are their thoughts and what are their attitudes and goals in life, and especially, how to educate the new generation about which we know quite a bit (or not)?

– New generations are not ‘loyal’ but that is not necessarily bad. Current leaders and managers must first get to know the new generation, accept that it is different from us, respect their attitudes and desired goals, and prepare them to replace us. However, we all must understand that the employee is the epicenter of our company and we must change in that regard. Also, in the education system, we must teach new generations to solve problems, not to memorize facts or cram – it was concluded at the panel.

On the balance of top management and health, the third panel was also addressed by the coach of the Croatian national football team Zlatko Dalić, who stated that ‘if we deal with different jobs, we still manage people’.

– To be successful in leading the national team, I must be physically and mentally in exceptional condition. Family and God give me mental strength, and that is not a phrase. I am glad that my boys come to preparations and matches smiling and happy. We have managed to develop a culture of the national team, and that makes me indescribably happy and proud – said the coach.