Wat mengs du? - Emotions as the new currency of power

Political institutions around the world are losing their ability to act and their trust. While governments are preoccupied with crisis management and internal party power struggles, social frustration is growing over the inability to create viable solutions. Globalisation has eroded traditional power structures, while digital networking and technological progress are accelerating economic and social change. Political decisions often seem hesitant and inadequate – while the challenges are becoming increasingly complex and globalised.

The pressure on decision-makers is increasing: politicians today have to function "faster than their systems" – in a climate that barely tolerates complexity and pushes for immediate impact and interpretation. The acceleration of social and media dynamics is often at odds with the slowness of democratic and bureaucratic processes. Instead of acting with foresight, many governments remain in reaction mode – they manage or shape crises instead of developing new visions. The result is a creeping loss of political legitimacy and a growing sense of alienation – a breeding ground for apathy, populist movements and social division.

At the same time, a constant flood of stimuli is hitting people: geopolitical tensions, economic crises, climate and health threats, technological upheavals. This constant overload leads to growing disorientation, fear, and isolation. In a world that is becoming increasingly unpredictable, the need for connection, clarity, and stability is growing. This is precisely where resonance comes in: People don't follow because you tell them to – but because something resonates with them emotionally and the topic is relevant to them. Those who manage to establish this connection offer more than just guidance – they provide stability in an uncertain world. Resonance is becoming the new currency of leadership: in times when traditional authority and institutional power are becoming less important, the ability to establish an emotional connection is becoming the decisive factor.

The new players: who really leads today

Individuals who know how to reach people emotionally and offer guidance are gaining influence. Leadership is shifting from elected officials and appointed leaders to those who generate resonance – regardless of official titles or formal power.

Whether pop stars, entrepreneurs, athletes, politicians or activists – those who generate resonance today influence social narratives far beyond their own area of expertise.

Taylor Swift not only shapes the music industry with her approachability, but also the social discourse. Her concerts influence entire economies, universities analyse her strategic brand management and her stance on social and political issues shapes public opinion.

Andrew Tate reaches over 10.7 million young men on X (as of March 2025) with his messages of male dominance and toxic role models. He offers the disorientated an identification model for a supposedly lost masculinity – with far-reaching consequences: Schools around the world have to respond to a rise in sexist behaviour and violence against women with "anti-Tate courses".

Greta Thunberg shaped the global climate discourse with a simple school strike. Her ability to convey the urgency of the climate crisis emotionally still mobilises millions of young people today. Her authenticity and fearlessness made her the symbol of a generation striving for change.

Elon Musk influences social debates not only through his companies, but also through his strategic media presence and ability to translate complex issues into emotional narratives. Technological visions such as Tesla and SpaceX generate global attention, while his polarising communication style makes him an appealing figure with political impact.

In global politics, too, it is clear that emotional connection and reach are more important than traditional power structures. Political leadership today is based less on institutional authority and more on the ability to generate resonance – be it through hope and orientation or through fear and division. The decisive factor is no longer just the content of political programmes, but the emotional impact on the people.

Resonance through emotional intelligence: the invisible power behind leadership

Resonance is not a directly controllable strategy – but the conditions under which resonance arises can be specifically designed. People do not follow because they are asked to, but because something within them is made to resonate emotionally. People react to what touches them and what they perceive as relevant.

The key to resonance is emotional intelligence. Emotional intelligence is the ability to recognise, understand and use your own emotions and those of others in a targeted manner – both for self-regulation and for social influence. Resonance itself is value-free – it can be used both for constructive connection and for manipulative division. Emotionally intelligent leaders recognise emotional reactions, amplify them in a targeted way and steer them in a certain direction – for better or for worse.

Companies such as Google have recognised that emotional intelligence can be trained and systematically promote it in their leadership programmes. However, sustainable leadership requires more than just emotional intelligence – it requires a value-based foundation and strategic clarity.

Leadership of the future: who will shape the future?

The crucial question is no longer who is allowed to lead, but how leadership must be organised in order to have a lasting effect. Today, leadership is no longer tied to offices or titles – anyone can become a leader. But if resonance is the key to modern leadership, how do we as a society need to respond?

Leaders of the future need the courage not only to touch, but also to connect. They must recognise how resonance can be consciously designed – not to manipulate, but to create trust and orientation. In the end, the decisive factor will not be who has the greatest reach – but who really reaches people and takes real responsibility for this connection.

If the ability to reach people emotionally and provide orientation becomes the new basis of leadership, a new understanding of leadership competence is needed.

Are we as a society ready to create the conditions for this?

Educational institutions, companies and political systems should specifically promote skills such as emotional intelligence, empathy, resilience, mindfulness and strategic clarity. Sustainable leadership is not a question of mandates or power – but of attitude and expertise. This is precisely why we as a society have a responsibility to systematically promote these skills so that the new generation of leaders can provide guidance and shape the future with responsibility and foresight.