Interpreting the KSA leadership framework
An interview with Paul Williams, organisation expert at Hanmi Global Saudi
How do you advise companies to tailor developmental programs to different individuals?
Previously, the approach would have been more around tailoring development programs at cohorts or based on role or grade level.
The growing introduction of AI allows companies to encourage their employees to use a wider range of self-assessment tools and then select development activities based upon the gaps these tools identify.
That said, for companies and employees to get the best from these, the company needs to be structured in a way that ensures all the relevant skills are set up against the career pathways and this involves a lot of initial set up work to implement a truly individualistic development approach.
Williams adds that within Saudi Arabia, both the need and timeline to achieve the strategy are being heavily influenced by the nationalisation policies which a lot of businesses are reacting to them.
This means, he explains, businesses must dentify and cultivate those leaders “quickly.” Therefore, any strategy must have a clear outline with the goals and the target audience to be able to achiieve the needed change.
Willams explains further that organisations can build tactics such as well-structured programs, showing clear benefits for both the company and the individuals involved.
How can mentorship shape the way companies in the Kingdom are cultivating talent?
I believe that coaching rather than mentorship is more effective for leadership development. Having a good mentor can be helpful, but I believe that developing good leadership skills requires ownership and that can be better gained through coaching than mentorship.
Building coaching skills or using coaching support is critical here.
You have a workforce of young leaders who needs to develop quickly to meet the needs of Vision 2030 and the rapidly diversifying economy. Having strong role models, mentors, is helpful, but adopting a strong coaching model will help speed the development, and that is what is needed here in the Kingdom.
Can technology change the way leadership evolve?
Although important, I do not think that technological advancements will directly drive leadership to evolve. If the impact of the influence of multi-generational workforce is included in the definition of 'changing global dynamics', then I believe this will have a larger impact on the evolution of leadership.
Leadership must evolve to deal with the complexities of leading a multi-generational workforce, but also to develop the right leadership model needed to develop future leaders.
What are the key skills and competencies that leaders will need to cultivate and navigate through to ensure they are keeping up with the changing business landscape?
I believe that due to COVID, we have already witnessed a rapid development of the skills needed to manage the world we live in.
The rapid growth in the demand for skills and competencies such as adaptability, resilience and innovation has been astounding.
Align these with new leadership models such as Servant Leader, Multiplier Leaders and Connective Leaders and concepts such as dual awareness and we are already seeing the skills and competencies needed for future leaders.
I would also like to coin the concept of 'Influenceship' (i.e. influencer leaders) as the replacement of traditional leadership as we know it. Let me ask you, who are the people that the younger generations look to as today's 'leaders'? Is it not the influencers who are taking on this role? Not necessarily in a good way, but if we define what good influencing looks like, I believe this will help define the leadership skills and competencies of tomorrow.
Will AI change the way leaders lead?
I think we need to use caution here, there are fantastic changes coming about due to AI and automation and the impact of these cannot be ignored.
However, be it 'Influenceship' or leadership that is needed in the future, it will still require those people to be authentic and passionate about what they do and the teams they work with.
AI and automation will support this and possibly speed up the development process, but people still need to be at the center of any strategy you create.