Rethinking leadership in the age of Gen Z

In this insightful and timely conversation, Hemlata Karooa, Head of Client Management and Business Development at Ellgeo Re (Mauritius), joins Tony to unpack one of the most urgent and overlooked topics in today’s insurance and reinsurance sector: the evolution of leadership in a multi-generational workforce.

As the industry accelerates its transformation through AI, automation, and data-driven innovation, Hemlata reminds us that one critical element is often left behind, people. With Africa home to the world’s youngest workforce, and Gen Z entering the industry with new expectations, new energy, and new ways of thinking, traditional leadership models are no longer enough. The discussion dives into why Gen Z is so often misunderstood, how outdated leadership behaviours are causing disengagement, and why the future of performance depends on trust, emotional intelligence, and authentic inclusion rather than hierarchy and control.

Drawing on her own leadership journey, starting from humble beginnings and working her way through the ranks, Hemlata offers a powerful perspective on what it means to lead with integrity, empathy, and fairness. She highlights the disconnect between how organizations claim to operate and what employees truly experience, and she calls on CEOs and industry leaders to rethink how they inspire, develop, and retain talent.

This episode will resonate with anyone navigating generational differences, building teams, or trying to future-proof their organization. Hemlata’s message is clear, compelling, and deeply human: we will not win the future by hiring differently, but by leading differently.

Tune in for a thought-provoking conversation filled with practical insights, real data, and a hopeful vision for an industry where people feel valued, heard, and empowered to thrive.

Key points

• Why Gen Z is not entitled or difficult, just misunderstood.
• The leadership behaviours that are pushing young talent away.
• How trust-based leadership unlocks performance better than control.
• The importance of emotional maturity over ego-driven leadership.
• Why diversity without genuine inclusion achieves very little.
• How intergenerational collaboration increases innovation by up to 25%.
• What both young professionals and CEOs must do to bridge the gap.