It used to be the saying that when it came to effective business development you needed to think globally and act locally.

However, if the events of this year have taught me anything, the key to business growth now is to think locally but work globally.

In a fascinating video conversation this week with Inderjit Singh, the former chief executive of New Delhi’s Indira Ghandi International Airport who is now a leading airport consultant, I touched on his personal belief that as a citizen of this world, he can go where ever he is needed and assist with any project because he literally “belongs to this world”.

Unencumbered by the limitations of nationality or a physical location, as a member of The International Civil Aviation Organisation, a specialised agency of the United Nations he is working virtually to assist the aviation industry throughout India, Africa and Asia on a variety of initiatives relating to the safe restarting of airports and passenger flights.

From his unique perspective he draws upon both his knowledge of the myriad of daily operational challenges and considerations from his days at DEL to help the aviation industry redefine the very meaning of “air safety” in the age of Covid 19, and his ability to work virtually to connect with leaders in a variety of health and tech disciplines to convert new best practices from theory to implementation.

Always one to lead by example, Inderjit is demonstrating just how differently true leaders in much of the world will work in the near future, where willingness to assist with any situation or opportunity that comes your way, and your ability to think creatively will be of more importance than your physical location, or company affiliation.

This new generation of global leaders will partner and collaborate in ways that we are just beginning to understand and use tech to analyse data, test theories and select outcomes that enhance the lives of people everywhere. According to Rohit Talwar, the CEO of Fast Future, future leaders will need to utilise skills that were previously less important and willing to be more vulnerable than ever before in order to keep pace with the rate of change that is coming.

Key skills will include: “Digital literacy; the personal capabilities to manage themselves and manage their own emotions; and then the workplace competencies that help them do the job, so problem-solving, collaboration, big-picture thinking, scenario thinking, making decisions. “

But — it is essential to realise that this transformation in “how” we think and the way that we work will not happen overnight. It will be an uphill process. Mistakes will be made, but much will be learnt.

The key to successfully navigating this transitional journey — regardless of your present career stage — is to embrace every opportunity to partner, collaborate, and explore that comes your way and appreciate those who step forward to light your path.

• Robin Trimingham is the chief operating officer of The Olderhood Group Ltd and a virtual presenter, journalist, podcaster and thought leader in the fields of life transition and change management. Connect with Robin at linkedin.com/in/olderhoodgroup1/ or robin@olderhood.com