Brave New World for the next generation of Executives

The AESC has just published an insightful and very accessible report entitled ‘Next Generation Executive Talent’. The report, compiled through interviews with some 850 ‘C’ level executives from across the globe examines numerous factors affecting the executive hires of the future including technological, political, geographical, demographical, sociological and so on. A quote from the opening page caught my attention:

‘While the road ahead always carries with it a sense of mystery, our current mood suggests that what lies ahead is something fundamentally different’.

As a technology specialist search partner for over 20 years I am of course particularly interested in the impact of emergent technologies and their effect on the executives hires of the future.

It will unquestionably be different. It will be different very quickly and it will continue to change quickly. Additionally, whatever we think ‘it’ might be, it almost certainly won’t be. You only have to consider the many ‘technology uptake’ graphs and curves people are so fond of publishing on LinkedIn and suchlike to see that innovations that come into the world with a mere whisper, then go on to be the ‘next big thing’. Conversely, those that grab the headlines in a fanfare of hope and expectation rarely fulfil that anticipation, or, do achieve notoriety in an entirely different and unexpected way.  

Roles, and indeed entire departments dedicated to future-proofing a business simply did not exist 20 years ago (or if they did it was as a side function of a department with an otherwise more practical and immediate remit). Now they are as critical as any business unit or department dedicated to the immediate needs of the business.

The role of an analyst has never been harder. Yes, we have more data available, more quickly and from a wider source-base than ever before, but what is it telling us? Often, by the time we can discern some useful or usable meaning, the data has aged and the world has moved on.

Reading the report gave me cause to reflect on our many assignments from the last couple of years and it strikes me there has not been a single one where there is not at least a proportion of the responsibility aligned to (for want of a better description) future-proofing the business. Arguably that’s always been the case and yes, I would agree but in the past it was achieved through largely tangible and certainly much slower-evolving factors. Nowadays we are forever wise-cracking about a proverbial crystal ball. 

Relating to two Global Product Leadership assignments, the client contact told me ‘It’s not about what’s next. Or even what’s after what’s next. It’s about what’s after that’. There’s an inherent conflict here. Senior roles are demanding. I do not believe I know anyone at ‘D’ or ‘C’ level that can really claim they are absolutely on top of everything their role requires of them. If they were, then chances are that that in itself would be a concern. However, to have the head space to genuinely get a feel for ‘what’s after that’ talented senior managers and executives need time and space to allow multitudinous thoughts, facts and data to settle into something meaningful.

Are you like me? Do you have all you very best ideas whilst on vacation and with a determined face and snap of the fingers think ‘Yes! I am going to do that’ only to return to your busy life and a month later think ‘now what was that great idea I had…………………?’

Received wisdom suggests we should seek to affect only the things we can control. So whilst we may not be see ‘what’s after that’, we can at least be ready. Preparedness, agility, mindfulness. ‘Fleet of Foot and Mind’ as they say (whoever ‘they’ are) are the things I see the smart businesses concentrating on and these are the attributes and competencies we are seeking in our candidate sourcing efforts to assist our clients in steering that path.

Let’s keep the conversation going. If I can assist or advise you in any way relating to the future-proofing of your business, please do get in touch via +44 (0)1582 878907 or drop me and email to ARaymond@RedlineExecutive.com