During our 2025 Global Meeting in Madrid, we spoke with Tim Zimmermann, Managing Partner at ingeniam Executive Search & Human Capital Consulting, and Industrial Practice Group Leader at IIC Partners, about how industrial leadership is evolving in an era of accelerated transformation. Tim shared how executives are no longer simply adopting new technologies—they are reshaping entire business models around them.

He emphasized that success in this rapidly shifting environment depends on the ability to build trust, lead across complex ecosystems, and rethink traditional notions of performance. From the integration of collaborative robots to navigating talent shortages and AI-driven innovation, industrial leaders must combine agility, clarity, and diverse leadership experience to thrive. Watch the full interview to hear how IIC Partners firms are supporting clients as they adapt at speed and lead with purpose across the global industrial landscape.

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Transcript

There was a real sense of urgency in the conversations. Organizations aren’t just experimenting with new technologies, they are really rebuilding their businesses around them. It’s creating major transformation demands, and executives are expected to deliver results while adapting at speed.

I think the way leaders are succeeding is through collaboration across industry forums, governmental bodies, and, of course, universities. This requires exceptional trust-building and interpersonal skills to succeed across all of these layers.

Good question, leading teams in this environment means thinking differently about people and performance. So, collaborative robots or cobots, for short, are becoming common in industrial settings, especially where there are labor shortages or safety risk. On the other hand, tech implementations alone doesn’t solve business challenges. Leaders must completely rethink job design, build trust before rolling out major changes, and communicate with absolute clarity.

The best preparation is building experience across different functions, industries or markets, for example. Leaders with diverse experience develop a high level of agility. This is incredible value when roles shift or new opportunities emerge.

I’d also say that investing in peer networks and outside perspectives helps. Development around AI or supply chain are evolving quickly, and no one has all the answers, but the ability to collaborate, experiment, and learn is what sets future-ready leaders apart.

Thanks but the pace of change and the depth of collaboration have kept me engaged over the past 10 years. The industrial sector has gone through an enormous transformation since I’ve started in this business, from vast supply chain challenges to the rise of artificial intelligence, and leading a global forum to discuss market developments with some of the smartest minds in executive search has been incredibly rewarding. It has allowed me to contribute and grow alongside others who definitely care deeply about the future of industry and I’m very thankful for that.