It’s relatively straightforward to identify candidates with the right technical skills and experience but it’s much harder to find out if they have the right personality and mix of soft skills to do the job effectively. Ask anyone who has had a difficult boss or team member
I’ve been working with the Zurich University of Applied Sciences for some months now on a Leadership Development programme for their International Executive MBA programme. It’s designed to enable students to realise more from their studies and further their careers by developing executive competencies.
Lao-Tzu, the ancient Chinese mystic philosopher, wrote that in the 6th century BC. Modern-day authors might say something along the lines of “effective leadership starts with knowing yourself”. The corollary of these quotes might read that “lack of self knowledge is unenlightened and can result in poor leadership”. I know from personal experience, running leadership …