Ross Kelly wrote a fine piece for Chief Executive titled, “Even in the Digital Age, Leaders say People Skills are More Important.” The article was about search firm Russell Reynolds Associates’ survey of three hundred executives about what skills will be important in the future.
Naturally, at least if you read other surveys, the executives mentioned technology. But the firm asked another question that put priorities in perspective. Here’s how Kelly describes the question and the responses.
“To be sure, when respondents—88% of whom were parents—were asked what competencies their children and grandchildren would most need to succeed, being proficient in the latest technology was mentioned by just 9%. Ranking highest was the ability to make decisions and solve problems, at 18%, think creatively, at 16%, and communicate verbally with people inside and outside the organization, at 15%.”
Leadership development for what really matters
No matter what kind of organization you are part of, people are what make it go. Dealing with people effectively will remain the most important skillset.
Developing knowledge of technology
Technology is important, but most technology winds up in landfills. Technology changes rapidly, but leaders can be briefed on it. The business press will be full of articles about technology of all kinds and what’s important today will be a historical artifact in a decade.
Leadership development and learning to learn
When it comes to technological savvy, the most important thing isn’t training in the latest technologies. A key leadership development challenge is helping aspiring leaders master the skills of unlearning what used to work and learning what’s more critical today.
