You Can Be More Than a CEO – The New Paths of Leadership Careers
“I want to be a leader!” – But what exactly does that mean today? What options are available to a 21st-century young person who doesn't just think in terms of classic managerial roles?
A Leader is Not Just a "Boss"
The role of a leader in today's world doesn't (just) mean someone becomes a "boss" at a company. In the world of project-based work, flat organizational structures, startups, and social enterprises, leadership is increasingly less of a position and more of a function—or even better: a mindset.
You can be a project manager in a civic initiative, a team mentor at a game development studio, or a facilitator in an international research project. These are all real leadership roles—they just look different from what you see in textbooks.
Career Paths 2.0 – Leadership Roles in a New Dimension
The classic model of "I enter a junior position and climb the career ladder" is becoming rarer. Instead, boundaryless careers have emerged, where development does not depend on a single company or structure—but rather on conscious skill-building, networking, and proactiveness. Everything is changing, and you must adapt flexibly to different situations.
Here are a few examples of leadership directions:
- Project Management – especially in IT, creative industries, and community development;
- Founding a Social Enterprise – where value creation, not profit, is the driving force;
- Expert careers in a leadership role – for example, a young researcher coordinating a scientific team;
- Digital Influencer-Leaders – who build and mobilize communities on TikTok, YouTube, or Twitch.
To find your ideal career, you might want to check out this video: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/7EPgcG1uIiU
Leadership Roles in the Gig Economy and the Startup World
Nearly half of young leaders no longer define themselves as a "boss" but as a collaborative leader—often contracted for the duration of a project or moving between multiple organizations. This presents new challenges but also much greater freedom.
Your Path: How Can You Build It?
- Don't just look for the position, look for the role: What does leadership mean to you—decision-making? Supporting others? Implementing new ideas?
- Build a unique career portfolio: Try various projects, volunteer work, and startup ideas—this will be your "life's LinkedIn profile."
- Seek out learning spaces: Leadership skills can be learned not only in school but in every situation where people need to be inspired, coordinated, and persuaded.
Don't Forget
Many people believe that becoming a leader requires decades of experience, a perfect professional background, or a charismatic presence. However, the reality is much more human. Today's young leaders often start in small but high-impact roles: for example, coordinating a team for a university project or organizing a community event. These experiences—if you reflect on them well—build your leadership identity just as much as an official managerial position.
It is important to recognize that a leadership career is not a sprint, but a learning spiral. Every new experience adds something to your style, your understanding of people, and your decision-making patterns. If you are open to diversity, learning from mistakes, and not afraid to try new roles, then you are already thinking like a leader—whether you have a title card or not.
What are you doing to identify your leadership career path?
Written by: Dr. Norbert Sipos, assistant professor