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Embracing youth leadership

A playbook for
intergenerational
dialogues

Download the Playbook

The power of youth engagement

Gen Z will make up a quarter of the world’s workforce by the end of this decade. Gen Z is also the first generation growing up as digital natives, with the internet integrated into their life experiences.

Youth voices are driving a transformative shift, and the sustainability of a company and the actions they take to promote human rights for all workers increasingly influential in consumer choices. This has pushed companies, more than ever before, to think beyond making profits towards how their business practices can be actors for good in society.

Not only do young employees demand that their employers create effective professional development pipelines and ensure transparent communication about company decisions, but it is also highly desirable to any company’s success to integrate younger insights into business strategies.

The Ingka Young Leaders Forum has evolved over the last three years (2021-2024), composed of more than 20 young leaders between 17 and 30 years of age from various countries. Each has been selected because they have shown dedication and capability to drive significant causes.

It is not always about agreement; it is about learning to listen and integrate different perspectives and ideas.

Practical steps: ­Implementing youth-led corporate activism

This playbook offers practical strategies for engaging youth and fostering intergenerational dialogues based on the Ingka Young Leaders Forum, a global youth advisory council. Reflecting on a successful 3-year journey, we have distilled our experience into five key pillars for effectively engaging young leaders and fostering intergenerational dialogue. These form the foundation of youth-led corporate activism and provide a roadmap for other businesses:

1. Establish the Engagement Objectives & Format:
Define clear goals and a structured format to guide the engagement process. As much as possible, invite young voices into this stage of the process – so young people are not only participants but also weigh in on the collaboration process.
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2. Identify and Recruit a Diverse Group of Young Leaders:
Attract and select talented, representative youth voices who can advance your corporate advocacy.
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3. Onboard and Build Relationships:
Recognize that an open dialogue is ensured by mutual understanding and trust. Foster strong relationships through effective communication and transparency to build trust.
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4. Deep-Dive Engagement Around Core Topics:
Facilitate in-adepth discussions on key issues to drive meaningful insights and actions.
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5. Expand Impact Through External Engagement:
Participate in high-impact external events to broaden collaboration and visibility.
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Further reading
Explore more on the five steps in the Playbook.
Download the Playbook
Zhilin Xiao​ sitting in a yellow chair participating in a panel discussion.

A meaningful collaboration

“As a member of the Ingka Young Leaders Forum Transparency working group, I read Ingka’s Annual Report drafts word by word, offering my honest feedback from a young leader’s perspective. It was rewarding to see Ingka listen to our input, incorporate our recommendations, and publish our independent opinion letter in the final report.

It felt like not just sharing a meal but being invited to inspect the kitchen and contribute to the recipe. This kind of collaboration was truly meaningful.”

Zhilin Xiao​
Change Maker & Strategist

Michael Bäcklund​ standing outside being interviewed by the press.

Future-smart

“Being future-smart means being a part of shaping it. By providing insights into areas like sustainable consumption and forestry, we help align business strategies with global needs, ensuring that IKEA not only adapts to market changes but also leads the way in sustainability.”

Michael Bäcklund​
President of ClimateScience

Portrait of Karen Pflug​ smiling, sitting against a grey background.

A powerful synergy

“I am deeply grateful for the past three years of open and authentic dialogue with our Young Leaders Forum. This collaboration has been invaluable in exchanging ideas, challenging our business to do better, and taking a stand for people and the planet. The importance of inter-generational dialogue in solving global sustainability and business challenges cannot be overstated. By bridging the perspectives of young, passionate people with the IKEA experience of our leaders, we have created a powerful synergy that drives innovation, accountability, and meaningful action towards a sustainable future. ​

Huge thank-you!”

Karen Pflug​
Chief Sustainability Officer, Ingka Group​

Download the Young Leaders Playbook

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