The capabilities that matter most in a first job are exactly the ones a classroom can’t build. What South African employers told us about workplace readiness, and why technical training alone was never going to close the gap.
Why Technical Ability Was Never Going to Close the Workplace Readiness Gap Read More »
Early career hires often arrive qualified but not quite ready. Three practical shifts from our Beyond the CV webinar to close the gap: make the unwritten rules explicit, separate intent from impact, and equip your managers.
Stop Screening for the Map: Three Ways to Close the Early Career Readiness Gap Read More »
Executive Summary The “Measurement Problem” in HR stems from a fundamental disconnect: tracking activity (attendance and satisfaction) instead of impact (behavioural change and business outcomes). While HR reports high completion rates, the C-suite remains sceptical because these metrics fail to correlate with revenue, retention, or productivity. Leadership development requires a system, not an event. Traditional workshops fail because they
The Measurement Problem: Activity vs Impact Read More »
Every January in South African businesses, we watch the same ritual unfold. LinkedIn feeds fill with ambitious declarations. Gym memberships spike. Leadership teams gather for strategic planning sessions, armed with fresh notebooks and renewed determination. And yet, by March, most of those New Year’s resolutions and strategic goals have quietly disappeared. Here’s what nobody tells
The Goal-Setting Paradox: Why Your 2026 Strategy Might Be Working Against You Read More »
Exam season is well upon us! End of Matric, end of year certificates and degrees. In January and February, the workplace is flooded by enthusiastic young adults who transition between the structured world of academics and into the unstructured, often vague workplace. There are high expectations that these new recruits will bring fresh talent and
The Human Factor: Rethinking How We Grow Early-Career Talent Read More »
I heard a story recently that captures the tension perfectly. A Gen Z employee walked into her manager’s office and asked for an extra work-from-home day. She wasn’t asking to slack off. She came prepared ideas on how to make this work, from sharing her daily priorities on Slack in the morning and facilitating a
Lost in Translation: Why Gen Z and Managers Keep Talking Past Each Other Read More »
I had a conversation this week with one of our participants who sighed and said, “I just wish things would settle down.” And it struck me: waiting for stability is not an option. Two out of three business leaders believe disruption will accelerate in the second half of 2025. Company lifespans, once measured in decades,
Leading in the Wind: Building Resilience in Times of Relentless Change Read More »
In the lead‑up to Women’s Month, I hosted a Women in Leadership Panel Discussion that tackled a surprisingly divisive question: Do we still need women‑only leadership development in 2025? One comment that stood out came from a business leader who said, “I don’t think it’s necessary anymore. Surely, we’ve moved beyond that?” It’s an interesting
Modern organisations are not slowed by a lack of information. They are held back by delayed decisions. In an environment where opportunities shift quickly and market conditions evolve daily, speed is one of the most valuable assets a leader can offer. Marc Benioff of Salesforce describes speed as the new currency of business. Companies that
Tracking Leadership: Why Decision-Making Speed Defines Business Success Read More »
In South Africa’s competitive landscape, retaining top talent is both a challenge and a necessity. High employee turnover drains resources, affects productivity, and undermines team morale. But what if the best retention strategy isn’t offering higher salaries or counteroffers? What if the key lies in the quality of your leadership? The Hidden Cost of Turnover
Dear CEO: Better Leadership is the Cheapest Way to Keep Your Best People Read More »
