An academic from the Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FEB UGM), Dr. Amin Wibowo, was formally inaugurated as Professor of Management Science at the UGM Senate Hall on Thursday (Dec. 11). During the inauguration ceremony, he delivered an inaugural address entitled “Challenges in Building Sustainable Leadership among Millennials and Generation Z.”
Dr. Wibowo opened his speech by presenting data on the millennial workforce, defined as those born between 1981 and 1996, which, as of February 2025, accounted for 34.9 per cent of the total workforce of 149 million. Meanwhile, Generation Z, born between 1997 and 2012, comprised 22.8 per cent of the labour force.
“At the corporate level, the data do not differ significantly. Therefore, alignment between these two generations will greatly influence workplace dynamics,” he stated.
According to him, sustainable leadership is not merely a trend but a necessary response to an increasingly interconnected modern world, where these two generations stand at the forefront.
Dr. Wibowo explained that one defining characteristic of Millennials and Generation Z today is their tendency to prioritize collective well-being rather than individual interests.
“Through collaboration, inclusivity, and shared responsibility, they reflect an understanding that individual well-being cannot be separated from the health of communities and the world at large,” he emphasized.
Furthermore, Dr. Wibowo noted that leadership in the modern era is inseparable from three main pillars: environmental, social, and economic sustainability.
Leaders, he argued, must be committed to environmental sustainability, including supporting carbon-emission-reduction practices to address climate change, an urgent issue for Millennials and Generation Z.
He also introduced Upper Echelons Theory, which underscores the critical role of leaders as agents of change within organisations, as operational teams follow strategic decisions made by top management.
Therefore, Dr. Wibowo stressed that leaders who embrace the sustainability-oriented values of Millennials and Generation Z are best positioned to contribute to a better world.
In line with this, Dr. Wibowo highlighted the academic sphere as a strategic platform for preparing sustainable leaders. At the national level, he referred to the Indonesian National Qualifications Framework (KKNI) as an instrument integrating education and workforce training.
“However, it must be acknowledged that the term sustainability is not explicitly stated in the document,” he remarked.
In response to this gap, Dr. Wibowo emphasised the need for clear formulations, such as strategic management frameworks within universities. In practice, this process begins with developing an organization’s vision, strategic mission, and core values.
“Strategy formulation and implementation are the two main priorities in achieving long-term sustainability,” he explained.
In addition, Dr. Wibowo noted that in an era of rapid technological advancement, digital and environmentally friendly solutions offer pathways to monitor organizational performance through data analytics, the Internet of Things (IoT), and blockchain.
According to him, these developments help raise awareness, from individual attitudes to the establishment of strong social norms.
Regarding collaboration, Dr. Wibowo highlighted the importance of strengthening sustainable leadership by encouraging synergy among government, business, academia, and civil society. Modern leaders, he argued, must balance profit with future-oriented social and environmental responsibilities.
“In this way, both generations are not merely part of change, but also become the main drivers of sustainable leadership in Indonesia,” he concluded.
Author: Hanifah
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Rajendra Arya
Photographer: Firsto Adi