Federico Linares, President of EY Spain and Europe Talent Leader for EY, recently shared his vision of leadership in a fast-changing, complex world. Drawing on over a decade of experience steering one of the world’s leading professional services firms, Linares highlighted how ambition, humility, and human-centered values can drive both organizational growth and societal impact.
For Linares, leadership is a balance between ambition and humility. “It’s great to be ambitious,” he noted, “but to be humble, you need to be a great person first.” His own journey reflects this philosophy. Early in his career, he relocated to New York, navigating a new culture and language with limited experience. This period taught him that real growth comes from courageously facing challenges, taking risks, and embracing learning as a lifelong journey.
Under Linares’ leadership, EY Spain has not only grown financially but also cultivated a culture of engagement and development. Employees are encouraged to grow beyond technical skills developing critical thinking, communication, empathy, and social awareness. Linares believes that leadership is not just about strategy or execution; it’s about inspiring people to realize their potential while making a positive difference in the community.
EY Spain exemplifies a company where business success and social responsibility go hand in hand. Initiatives like Fundación Alalá bring music and art to children, promoting inclusion and enriching lives. Linares’ vision extends beyond corporate metrics: he emphasizes that long-term value comes from trust, ethical leadership, and contributing to society. For him, profitability is meaningful when it coexists with positive social impact.
Linares often draws inspiration from philosophy and the humanities, including the works of Kant, to shape leadership with purpose and ethics. He stresses the importance of transversal knowledge – the ability to connect insights across disciplines – in preparing for the future. While vertical expertise is essential, the capacity to communicate, think critically, and empathize equips leaders to navigate uncertainty and complexity.
In Linares’ view, education is both a privilege and an advantage. Those willing to make the effort to learn and grow gain the tools to influence, innovate, and create meaningful impact. In a world increasingly shaped by technology and artificial intelligence, human-centered leadership – grounded in ethics, values, and empathy – remains essential.
EY Spain’s remarkable growth under Federico Linares demonstrates that business success and humanity are not opposing forces. Through a culture that values people, responsibility, and purpose, the firm continues to set an example of what it means to lead with impact, inspire talent, and contribute to a better society.
