Despite the fact that there is a huge demand for top leaders in South Africa who boast the ‘full package’, the pool of suitably qualified and experienced C-suite executives is relatively small, not least because the leadership skills-set of the future is more expansive than ever, a leadership expert says.
Debbie Goodman-Bhyat, CEO of Jack Hammer, which is rated as one of South Africa’s top 3 executive search firms, says while companies struggle to find the right fit for their executive positions, there are also many potential candidates vying for these posts who find that they get turned down time after time.
“There is a mismatch between what is required in the marketplace at the moment, and the skills, competencies, qualifications and track record candidates bring to the table,” she says.
Additionally, the gap is likely to widen in coming years, as the workplace continues to change dramatically in the face of both technological advances and the influx of millennials
“For candidates and companies alike, this situation, while frustrating, also creates notable opportunity,” she says.
Goodman-Bhyat says that aspirant C-suite executives can set in place a strategy to close the gap between their existing capabilities and those skills which will be required from leaders in the coming five to ten years. Equally, companies should start to identify promising candidates and ensure they are coached and equipped to step into top leadership roles in the near future.