A Cross-Country Study of Management and Leadership Development Needs in Dynamically Changing Societies

Today’s business environment is changing at an ever-increasing pace. This creates an atmosphere of volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity that businesses are struggling against in their effort to survive and grow. Like many companies in the world, those in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) and South Africa face a lot of challenges of the same nature in this dynamic environment; a few of them, however, are unique to their country’s particular situation. Challenges include political and economic uncertainty, increasing competition due to globalization, changing workforce dynamics, and changing customer wants and needs. In order to address these challenges, companies are recognizing that they have certain developmental needs and the necessity to determine how to meet these needs in the most efficient and effective way possible. One of the most complex developmental needs that companies anticipate is the need to change their culture and mindset. Companies have to be more flexible, agile, and willing to think more strategically. Companies also recognize that they have to develop their workforce and include more education for competencies in entrepreneurship, customer service, soft skills (e.g. communication, negotiation), and leadership.