Tag: soft skills

For decades leadership development has focused primarily on one thing - skills development. The so-called “hard” or “technical” skills were viewed as being of the utmost importance when it came to facilitating effective and efficient team coordination. This makes sense given that we’ve largely viewed leadership as either a transactional or motivational act. The theory behind this training is that new tools and knowledge are necessary to communicate a vision and values, as well as direct effective execution.

The phenomenon of job-title inflation has gained traction in South Africa, driven both by young professional’s ambition for accelerated career progression and employers' efforts to engage staff while managing costs. This trend has led to an increase in roles with prestigious titles, such as 'Lead', 'Vice President', or 'Manager', being offered to individuals with limited experience, skills, or corresponding salaries.

When we think of technology and the ICT industry, the cliché often conjures an image of a male-dominated environment, focused solely on technical development. However, this outdated stereotype no longer reflects the reality of the industry.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is now firmly in the mainstream as workplaces and jobs begin to undergo a transformation that is both daunting and exhilarating. According to the Future of Work Report 2024, over 95% of global business leaders agree that AI will profoundly influence how companies deliver services.

The demand for highly skilled and adaptable professionals has never been greater. As businesses navigate the complexities of the 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR) and the digital era, they require graduates equipped not only with technical expertise but also with the soft skills and innovative mindsets necessary to thrive in this dynamic environment.

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in South Africa continue to face a business landscape that is simultaneously full of challenges and brimming with opportunities. A still-struggling economy, rising costs, high unemployment figures and an uncertain political future have created a business backdrop against which only the most resilient and innovative businesses will thrive.

Now well over the 20-year milestone mark in my marketing career, one of the key lessons I learned along the way, is that academic ability alone wasn’t going to be enough to cause me to thrive in the workplace. It was through firsthand experience and keen observations that I discovered the profound significance soft skills play in a successful corporate career.

Gender inequality is still rampant throughout society and in the workplace, it can take on many forms -  disparity in promotions, unequal pay and less leadership roles. While this is often the case in big corporations and civil society, we should also be turning a lens towards the education sector, where gender inequality is even more pronounced.

Imagine a manager who is all about getting things done within a specific timeframe, a true advocate for efficiency and productivity. This manager, often perceived as strict, means business. But here is the twist – the moment they see their team fired up, committed to growth, and thriving, suddenly, they radiate positivity and support for their team.

It's 2022. We have electric cars, online shopping (and drones to deliver it), and artificial intelligence - fantastic. But why do we not see loads of women growing, thriving and revolutionising the world in this highly evolved environment?