The rapid pace of change in the corporate world requires managers to constantly reinvent themselves.
Broad training, strategic skills, knowledge in project and people management, entrepreneurship. The global competencies developed during a degree in Business Administration make it one of the most common courses among those pursuing executive careers. According to research conducted by the Hays consultancy with 480 executives in Latin America, leadership positions in companies are predominantly held by men between 41 and 50 years old. The most common educational backgrounds among executives are in the areas of administration and business, engineering, finance, and economics. Among these, Administration and Business leads with 381% of the total surveyed.
Technical skills for those aspiring to leadership positions can vary depending on the company's activity, but include knowledge in finance, marketing, commercial skills, and in-depth understanding of the business in which they operate. The start of an executive's professional life typically begins through internship or trainee programs in large national and multinational companies.
To begin preparing during your undergraduate studies, it's essential to keep in mind that becoming an executive is a journey that takes years and requires an individual development plan. Initiatives that can be undertaken during college include investing in English fluency, gaining international experience, conducting scientific research, and engaging in volunteer work. All of these contribute to securing positions in large companies and can be key differentiators for future promotions.
The path from the beginning of one's professional life to achieving a prominent position may present differences and nuances, but dedication to work and constant self-improvement are essential ingredients for advancement. While previously attending university was synonymous with stability and success, today a degree is only the initial step. The skills needed to occupy leadership positions are changing, and being open to new learning is the key characteristic for those who wish to succeed in the market.
Soft Skills
A strong theoretical background, however, is not enough to secure leadership positions. Behavioral profile is evaluated from the moment of selection. Good human capital management skills are a mandatory characteristic regardless of the sector. Participative leadership, flexibility, and the ability to motivate the team are behavioral attributes sought by companies. Alignment with the company culture is also an item evaluated by recruiters. There are sectors and corporations with diverse codes regarding expected conduct.
A survey conducted by the consulting firm Arquitetura Humana, specializing in organizational diagnostics and leadership training, listed six characteristics that executives must possess to achieve success in the business world. Influence and impact on the environment, energy, speed, risk-taking ability, extroversion, and the ability to make decisions under pressure are the requirements to be developed by those who aspire to reach the highest positions in companies.
Creativity is another increasingly valued attribute. In a fast-paced innovation market, being able to envision alternative solutions in challenging contexts is a characteristic that professionals who lead teams must develop. Assertive communication and negotiation skills are also among the desired competencies for leaders.
Innovation
Technological innovation will change the profile of professionals, and managerial positions will not be immune to these advances. By 2020, 351 of the most sought-after skills for most jobs are expected to change, according to a report by the World Economic Forum. Traditional positions will not disappear, but they tend to decrease. To remain relevant in a job market impacted by artificial intelligence and Industry 4.0, it is necessary to develop proficiencies that machines are not yet able to reproduce. One of them, according to the World Economic Forum, is complex problem-solving. Solving situations involving multiple variables in order to generate the best possible impact for the company is one of the main functions of an executive, regardless of the sector in which they operate.
Research conducted by the consulting firm Kienbaum identified an innovative vision as one of the essential characteristics for this type of professional. The power of observation and curiosity are particularities that can guide the development of an innovative profile. The ability to create results from unexpected events appears once again as a common attribute in leaders.
A multicultural perspective and broad world knowledge help develop the critical thinking skills necessary to become an innovative executive. While experience contributes to this, these are skills that can be trained from undergraduate studies onwards. Students who are encouraged to look at a problem from different angles tend to find it easier to replicate this approach in the business environment. Therefore, university should serve as a foundation for the student's analytical training.
Proactivity, a highly valued skill in companies, should also be developed during college. Taking the lead in decisions and seeing possible solutions in challenging times has always been the primary function of a leader, but in a scenario of constant change, this mobilizing profile becomes even more important.
From the companies' perspective, it's necessary to empower managers to recognize and reward new ideas. Maintaining an environment that fosters creativity and employee autonomy is the first step towards the success of good initiatives. A corporation's efficiency and profitability are increasingly linked to process optimization.
