Across many sectors, organisations continue to navigate economic pressure, structural change and evolving leadership expectations. In these conditions, the strength and depth of leadership within senior teams often becomes even more important.
Through our ongoing work with organisations and senior professionals across transport, logistics, supply chain and related sectors in industry and the wider markets in general, we see several themes emerging:
Greater emphasis on experienced leadership
Organisations are increasingly seeking individuals who combine sector knowledge with the judgement and resilience needed to lead through complexity and change. Whilst sector knowledge is important, if you can’t adapt and lead with confidence in times of uncertainly and challenge, you risk being sidelined and overtaken by competitors.
Key Point: keep up to date with the latest leadership trends and initiatives. Update your skillset to remain ahead. Talk to other leaders in the field and gain from their experience.
Increasing demand for interim capability
Where organisations need leadership quickly, interim and project-based appointments are often providing stability, delivery capability and an experienced external perspective. Leaders need to be mindful of what interims can achieve – they can often bring much needed input and additional skills when the business is at its most critical. Hiring an interim can save businesses from “crash and burn” syndrome and introduce stability across the organisation allowing time to reset and recalibrate.
Key Point: Interim, NED and Fractional roles are on the increase. Consider options to cover gaps in your business needs. As a leader, consider taking on an additional NED role to widen your skills. Pro-bono roles are excellent vehicles for expanding knowledge and networks.
Senior professionals reassessing career direction
Many experienced leaders are exploring the next stage of their careers, whether through executive roles, interim assignments board opportunities or portfolio work. Fractional roles have become more popular bringing together interim skills and experience and longer term project based commitment from professionals. Life-balance is all too important in today’s challenging environment – be prepared to be flexible in your work patterns. Allowing additional “soft” benefits to leaders, such as personal one to one coaching or extra time off can have quite astonishing effects.
Key point: Value your leaders. Executives are human too.
Through DSA Executive, organisations are supported in identifying senior leaders for both permanent and interim appointments, particularly where credibility, sector understanding and strong leadership capability are essential.
Organisations sometimes face unexpected leadership gaps — through organisational change, restructuring, growth or the departure of a key individual. In these situations, access to experienced interim or senior leadership can provide valuable stability whilst longer-term plans are considered.
DSA Executive maintains close relationships with a network of experienced senior professionals and is always pleased to connect with leaders who may wish to explore future executive opportunities, interim roles or leadership coaching in confidence.
Executive coaching conversations are also available for senior professionals who wish to reflect on leadership challenges, career transitions or strategic direction in a confidential setting.
For organisations reviewing leadership capability, or for individuals considering their next step, DSA Executive would be pleased to have a confidential conversation.
More information:
www.dsaexecutive.com
info@dsaexecutive.com