“You are never too young to lead, and we are never too old to learn.”

Kofi Annan’s wisdom has been ringing in my ears since International Youth Day, which the UN celebrated earlier this month.

Every future-fit leader I’ve met has a story of being moved to action by a courageous young person. Perhaps it’s the blunt questioning of a son or daughter. The bold persistence of a junior colleague that changed the trajectory of your company. The sight of millions of young people around the world, marching for change.

Vanessa Nakate, a 26-year-old climate justice activist and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador from Uganda, is one of so many young leaders who inspire me. Her strength of conviction and clarity of purpose cuts through the noise and finger-pointing. It was an honor to present her with an award at the inaugural TIME CO2 Earth Awards in April. “Awards are an important signal,” she said, but they “will not save those who are already losing their lives and livelihoods on the frontline of the climate crisis. We need action.”

Older generations of leaders have plenty to learn from the urgency and sense of purpose with which Vanessa and young people around the world view the future, and their role in shaping it. We also have the opportunity (and intergenerational responsibility!) to amplify their voices and invite new leaders into “old power” spaces.

I’ve written and spoken before about the crisis of conformity, which plagues the corporate boardroom in particular. This crisis continues to prioritize short-term financial gains over the resilience and long-term success of our businesses. It’s ingrained within our economic systems, but we can root it out.

Young and diverse leaders hold a key: a unique perspective, unburdened by tradition. They see a broken, inequitable status quo and stand ready to rethink and innovate. They want to be a part of building something better, right now — and are doing just that in communities all over the world. Beyond simply listening, I appeal to older generations of leaders to purposefully create space and agency at decision-making tables for young and diverse leaders. This is how we shift norms and catalyze future-fit leadership.

Outside the boardroom, young people are reshaping consumer behavior. Their values anchor a growing cultural influence. They choose to live creatively, honestly and sustainably and would like business and government to embrace the same. Young leaders in business bring their values and fresh perspective on these shifting preferences. They drive innovation. Their involvement in product and service development infuses a forward-looking mindset, built to take on challenges and seize new opportunities.

Young people are also, already, shifting workplace culture in enduring ways. They pursue cultures of purpose and are building careers that align with their values. They’d rather not settle for jobs that lack meaning or impact. The results of B Team Leader Paul Polman’s 2023 Net Positive Employee Barometer affirm these trends in close detail. As business leaders, let’s recognize this shift for the extraordinary opportunity it is.

From The B Team’s earliest days, co-founders Sir Richard Branson and Jochen Zeitz met with young entrepreneurs to solicit their input on the evolving role and responsibility of business in society. A gathering of global CEOs and young climate activists convened by The B Team, IKEA and Purpose in 2019 inspired Ingka Group (IKEA) to form its Young Leaders Forum, which now advises CEO (and B Team Chair) Jesper Brodin on company strategy. Joseph D. Kenner, B Team Leader and CEO of Greyston, founded a junior board at his company.

These actions and others have prompted leaders to embed a multigenerational approach across their organizations, including The B Team, which now invites young leaders to participate in our Annual General Meetings and other convenings. We are also deepening collaborations with purpose-driven organizations that work hand in hand with rising leaders, like The NewNow, Drive Agency and We Are Family Foundation.

Each of us can take a page from these efforts or chart our own path. Either way, make it a priority to prioritize young leaders, and build a plan with your team. Then tell your kids about it. (Be warned: they’ll hold you accountable!)

Nearly half of humanity is younger than 30. By the end of 2030, this proportion is projected to reach 57%. Youth is the new global majority. Just imagine the scale of good that’s possible if their purpose, agency and leadership is unlocked…

How courageous will you be in learning from young people, and inviting them to lead?