Creating future-fit leaders for the emerging world of tomorrow

Prof. Theo Veldsman giving a presentation to the representatives from Enterprises UP’s clients.

The world of work is significantly changing daily owing to the introduction of new technologies and globalisation. To stay ahead of industry developments, organisational leaders need to start thinking ahead to help their organisations make future-proof strategic decisions. Investing in knowledge-based activities that are driven by high-quality research, and highly qualified and skilled professionals will give organisations the ability to foster and sustain agile workforces.

Our recent business breakfast, with Professor Theo Veldsman at the helm, sought to explore the changing world of work, as affected by the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The breakfast, hosted at Enterprises University of Pretoria, received a group of representatives from our current clients in leading industries including technology development agencies, public sector, telecommunications and research agencies.

“For me, the essence of leadership is about exploring the future and identifying what the options are, and then effecting a strategy to realise your choice,” expressed Prof. Veldsman. Drawing on more than 35 years of experience, Prof. Veldsman delivered a presentation that took the attendants to the future, exploring the leadership qualities that will enable future success.

Central to the discussion was the concept of ‘complexity-thinking’ which Prof. Veldsman suggested would help leaders in creating organisations that are agile, resilient and innovative. Furthermore, he explored the varying effects that organisational design, customer centrism, and employee engagement all play in keeping organisations competitive now, and how they will look going into the new landscape of the future workplace.

A self-labelled work psychologist, Prof. Veldsman is regarded as one of the foremost thought leaders in South Africa concerning people management and the psychology of work. Over many years he has demonstrated his ongoing ability to seamlessly integrate theory and practice while proactively identify emerging people and leadership needs to arrive at fit-for-purpose, innovative management solutions.

Prof. Veldsman recently published a book on Organisational Design, and he is seen as one of the pioneers who introduced Organisational Design as a formal discipline in southern Africa. He received the Award for Life Long Achievement by the SA Board for People Practices (SABPP) in 2012.

Visit our website for more information on our wide range of collaborative research and advisory services. For more information on related short courses, browse our selection of Training Solutions. If you would like to get in touch for more information, you may send an email to az.ca.pu.sesirpretne@ofni.