Leadership a learned skill

UNACCEPTABLE: NOT KNOWING THE BUSINESS

A failure to stay abreast of industry trends could be detrimental to the organisation reaching its goals.

Last week we spoke about the lack of professional skilled labour in South Africa and how currently – and probably in the future – it will hinder the economic growth that the country so desperately needs. Certain technologies, systems and profit-making methods are heavily dependent on the skill of the people.

We concluded that business owners should make an effort to upskill their employees to the betterment of their businesses and the nation.

But what about the entrepreneurs themselves?

It’s all well and good to advocate for upskilling our workforce but if the business owners, managers and entrepreneurs themselves are not skilled at directing the business to success, then the debate around upskilling the workforce has no merit.

Upskilling leaders is as important if not more so than upskilling the workforce.

What are the key areas that leaders of business, government, non-profits etc. must focus on?

The first is in the fundamental concept of good leadership.

Daily, we tune into the news and nine times out of 10, there is a story about a senior leader who has failed to lead.

For example, the Commission of Inquiry into State Capture, chaired by Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo that has been going on for almost two years has shown us the depth of a lack of leadership, governance and accountability.

Not to only pick on the public sector: the business sector hasn’t done much better. From KPMG to Steinhoff and now Old Mutual, corporations have demonstrated that all is not well in boardrooms across the country.

Therefore, upskilling leadership skills through governance training, among others, is paramount and should be a prerequisite.

Secondly, upskilling skills that are relevant to your business and industry is important. It is unacceptable for a business owner to lack sufficient working knowledge of his or her business and industry. Every business owner must continuously upskill his or her skills to stay abreast of the latest industry information. A failure to do so will be detrimental to the organisation reaching its goals.

Finally, the much talked about fourth industrial revolution.

A business can only advance to the extent to which the owners buy into and understand a new concept. Entrepreneurs have a habit of hiring or taking on the services of experts without understanding the function.

Entrepreneurs owe it to their employees to ensure they are adequately skilled, which allows them to discharge their duties in a prudent fashion that benefits the organisation.

Munya Duvera is CEO at Duvera Elgroup