Are you aspiring to lead in 2024?

If so, you’re in the right place.

It can be tough to figure out the best next moves to make in your career in a world that is constantly changing, and for those looking to lead, the demands of a leader are evolving faster than ever before.

As a leadership search firm, we have insight into what today’s leading companies are looking for in their future leaders, and we’re here to guide you through four skills that will be key for leadership in 2024 and beyond.

Let’s get started.

Top 4 Leadership Skills for 2024:

Strong Communicator

According to a Gallup survey, 70% of employee engagement is tied to the quality of communication from leadership. Communication is a core skill for any leader, and companies are now prioritising it more than ever when building their senior leadership teams. Leaders will need to use different tools and techniques to bring remote teams together, adapt to new technologies, and provide feedback to help their teams grow and move forward.

Emotional Intelligence

Understanding and managing emotions is crucial for any leader to navigate tough conversations and conflicts, and anyone looking to lead will want to nurture this skill, particularly as the world goes more digital. Organisations recognise that with the growth of AI and teams being more physically distant, their senior leadership teams will require this skill more than ever.

“As machines get better at being machines, humans have to get better at being more human”

(Andrew J. Scott, Professor of Economics at London Business School)

Strategic Thinking

In this time of constant change, companies will be looking for leaders who are comfortable navigating and leading through uncertainty. Leaders will need to predict trends and make informed decisions based on these predictions to best guide their teams. They will need to balance a long-term vision with flexible strategies, prepare for risks, and encourage new ideas.

Adaptability

Organisations are keen to identify adaptable and flexible leaders to meet the ever-changing needs of their industry. Global CEOs believe their organisations won’t be economically viable in 10 years time if they stay on their current path, so leaders must feel ready to pivot swiftly and be committed to continuous learning and growth. Companies will be looking for leaders who will embrace change as an opportunity rather than a hurdle.

The road to leadership in 2024

Assess where you are

Start by understanding where you currently stand and where you would like to grow. It’s not just about evaluating your skills, but also about aligning them with your career’s purpose. What work excites you? What changes or improvements do you aspire to bring about in your field or industry? We explored the importance of purpose at work in a recent article. Click here to learn more.

Create a roadmap

Once you’ve explored your career’s purpose, strengths, and areas for improvement, a good next step is to craft a roadmap. Be specific and plan actionable steps towards reaching your goals.

Seek out opportunities

Look for opportunities to refine these skills through coaching, mentorship, training, or by taking on projects that will stretch you.

Engage with a search firm

Engaging with a reputable search firm can be invaluable. By clearly expressing your career goals, they can work hard to find the right fit for you, often having access to unadvertised leadership roles.

Continuous Learning

Make ongoing learning a priority and adopt a growth mindset. Explore different perspectives, learn from both your own and others’ experiences, and stay up to date on how your industry is evolving.

As the world of leadership continues to change, mastering these four core skills will be the key to success for current leaders and those aspiring to lead as organisations push for growth in 2024 and beyond.

Looking to land a leadership role?

Get in touch today to see how Yellow Bricks can help to get you there. Call us now on 01628 566 447.

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