Executive Search: The emerging leadership skills to watch!
Within executive search, it’s all about knowing the qualities of a great business leader. Having technical skills within IT & technology is great, but navigating business changes, employees and cultural intelligence is the mark of an all-round leader.
In 2024, what essential leadership skills are emerging? As executive search specialists, we keep on top of trends within business leadership so our clients receive only the best advice and candidates. We wanted to share what we believe are the top leadership skills expected to dominate in the world of recruitment.
What skills should you be looking for in a leader?
To drive a business forward and embrace success, companies need to look for a leader who can not only demonstrate these skills but who is passionate about promoting them within the team.
Solving problems in dynamic ways
In the business world, when one solution is found another is needed not long after! What we apply in one problem-solving dilemma won’t work for another. In a rapidly changing economy, leaders must possess dynamic problem-solving abilities characterised by agility, adaptability, and creativity.
So what should you look for in a dynamic problem-solver? A leader excels at embracing ambiguity and uncertainty, viewing challenges as opportunities for growth rather than obstacles. In the executive recruitment space, we expect to see more demand for solid evidence in navigating complex situations. Furthermore, how a candidate embraced past failures and turned them around is an important narrative. This mindset will inspire the employees to quickly pick themselves up and pivot quickly in response to evolving circumstances.
Cultural intelligence – DEI will always be the backbone of a business
Cultural intelligence encompasses the ability to understand, communicate, and collaborate across different cultural contexts. Leaders with cultural intelligence are not only sensitive to cultural differences but also adept at leveraging them as strengths to foster innovation, creativity, and collaboration within multicultural teams.
It’s no secret that the importance of DEI continues to grow. Businesses will be looking for leaders who have a willingness to learn from others, and an ability to adapt their behaviour and communication style. They should have innovative ideas to champion diversity and allow all voices to be heard. After all, diversity and inclusiveness should always start at the top!
Purpose-driven leadership
The leaders of tomorrow are expected to be purpose-driven, with a strong commitment to social responsibility and environmental sustainability. Candidates are increasingly drawn to companies that demonstrate these values. So, having leaders who are a strong voice for sustainability will be a big draw.
A track record of involvement in social or environmental initiatives will show trust and accountability. This will then inspire employees to rally behind a shared vision and contribute to meaningful outcomes. This will not only help for sustainability values but for business goals as a whole. A leader who can bring a team together with such focus and drive will be a huge trend in leadership recruitment moving forward.
Digital fluency – finding those tech-savvy leaders
While we have focused on people-driven skills, we can’t ignore the importance of technical skills as an IT & tech executive search agency! So, what is changing in how companies are looking for technical skills? It’s not just about understanding the latest technological trends but also being adept at leveraging them to drive organisational growth and innovation.
As recruiters, we are seeing a higher demand for leadership candidates who can bring artificial intelligence, machine learning, and blockchain (among others) to the table. Furthermore, digitally fluent leaders understand the importance of data privacy and security. This allows them to take proactive measures to safeguard their organisations against cyber threats. A leader paving the way for innovation will inspire those in their team and nurture their growth. So, forward thinkers are going to be a high priority in the world of executive search!
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TechNET CxO is the trusted executive search partner for many technology and IT companies! Explore our full range of research services to discover what we do. If you’re looking for senior talent, submit your vacancy today and we will be in touch!
