Detroit

October 2023

Welcome Back!

Happy Autumn....it is October indeed! One look outside and you can see the glory of the changing colors that this month brings and all sorts of festive seasonal decor adorning people's front porches and yards - chrysanthemums, pumpkins, bales of hay, and corn stalks. It's a beautiful time of year to be outside, not to mention that everyone has been back in school for a couple months now. Every year we go through the same cycles - the seasons, the holidays, the school year. It is a constant, which is a bit of a paradox when you think about it . . . . change being a constant.

Let's talk a bit more about change versus constancy. Remaining constant by resisting change that is challenging, yet beneficial, can allow one to become stuck or stagnant; whereas, being open to change represents a growth mindset. We all know that growth is a good thing, as it is a sign of living life to the fullest. Well, how do we continue growing once we've "aged out" of school? For many of us, we carry within ourselves a love for learning that guides us well into our adult years, both in our personal as well as our professional lives. In business, for example, we look for employment opportunities that value continuing education and we seek out companies that offer tuition reimbursement. At Transearch Detroit, we encourage our staff and you to take any and every opportunity you can to further your education, whether it be a one-day training seminar, a several-month-long class giving you a much sought-after certification, or even the pursuit of an MBA or higher. Continuing your education equips you so that you can be as successful as possible in your life's ambitions and more flexible during the changing tides of life. But don't just think of it as continuing your education simply for self-improvement. For when you learn new things, you can impart your learning to others. And in doing so, you help to build a better team around you. Consider having team members rotate during weekly meetings or once a month, taking turns giving a deep dive on either a topic in which they have become a subject matter expert or some new knowledge they have acquired. For when you, yourself, can present a topic to others, you have come full-circle in mastering that topic. We encourage you to read more about the importance of being a lifelong learner in the article below entitled, "Continuous Learning: The Cornerstone of Senior Leadership Success," but first, check out our Featured Candidate(s) and Position(s) below.

Global, Transformational Vice President of HR

This candidate has an impressive record of success in partnering with the leadership team to build global capabilities, strengthen compliance, strengthen succession planning, improve the retention scorecard, and build and lead a robust and effective Human Resources team across the globe for her $10 Billion global manufacturer. She has a broad experience across all HR functional areas that has served her well in her role, which is the equivalent of the CHRO role in many global organizations. She also possesses the leadership competencies and soft skills to build trust and influence critical stakeholders. Currently based in the midwestern USA, this candidate is mobile and can relocate anywhere for the right role. If you have interest in setting up a confidential conversation with this candidate, call us at 313-887-8300 ex.102 or email us: information@tieronesearch.com.

Divisional Director of Operations, $12 Billion global organization

Our client company is recognized as the worldwide leader in their product areas. They are a company producing highly engineered components to multiple industries and are known as an outstanding employer. In this role you will lead all aspects of manufacturing operations for a large division encompassing 9 manufacturing plants from Canada down to Brazil. This is a manufacturing team who values technical abilities, so you should have an experience of leading multiple manufacturing sites across a region, coupled with an engineering degree (preferably mechanical or industrial).

If you are interested in this position, call us at 313-887-8300 ex.102 or email information@tieronesearch.com.

originally published September 22, 2023 by TRANSEARCH International

In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, leaders are confronted with unprecedented challenges and opportunities. The demands of the digital age, coupled with shifting market dynamics and the emergence of new generations in the workforce, require a fundamental shift in leadership approach. One of the key pillars of this transformation is a passionate commitment to continuous learning. In this article, we explore how senior leaders can embrace the art of learning, adapt to the changing dynamics of team structures, and harness the potential of emerging talent.

The Art of Learning: Beyond Knowledge Acquisition

Leadership today extends beyond traditional roles; it demands an insatiable passion for learning. Those who don’t read are no better off than those who can’t read, as the saying goes. However, it’s not just about accumulating knowledge or skills. The heart of continuous learning lies in mastering the art of learning itself.

To achieve this, leaders must challenge themselves daily. This involves pushing the boundaries of their comfort zones, taking calculated risks, and reflecting on what works and what doesn’t. It requires the courage to let go of the past and embrace emotional risks. Curiosity is the starting point, and acquiring new skills is just a part of the journey. Learning how to learn is the ultimate goal.

Without challenging the status quo, organisations are bound to stagnate. Continuous reflection is essential for meaningful learning, and exploring innovative ways to acquire knowledge is crucial for staying ahead of the competition. Tomorrow’s organisation will be a boundary-less network of teams, driven by connect-ability, collaboration at a distance, and the constant exchange of ideas. Consensus may be a luxury; instead, commitment is the name of the game.

Evolving Teams: Adapting to the Team of Teams

Gone are the days when a team meant people you meet with regularly in the same physical space. The future belongs to the “team of teams,” where boundaries are fluid, and knowledge flows seamlessly. This concept emphasises the need for a boundary-less mindset in leadership.

Senior leaders must encourage team members to leave their fingerprints on issues. Candor and healthy disagreement are essential during decision-making, but once a decision is made, commitment must be assumed. The modern workforce, including millennials, Gen Z (iGen), and gig employees, thrives in an environment of short-term projects, remote collaboration, and diverse experiences. The hiring process should reflect this, with emphasis on temporary assignments, meaningful reference checks, and candidate presentations to the team.

Learning from Experience: The Power of Questions

Learning doesn’t occur in isolation; it’s drawn out of experiences. And the journey begins with a question. The quality of the question often determines the richness of the learning experience. To foster a culture of continuous learning, leaders should encourage their teams to ask great questions.

Questions drive exploration and innovation. They challenge assumptions and spark curiosity. Leaders should foster a culture where asking questions is not only encouraged but celebrated. When teams start asking better questions, they delve deeper into challenges, identify novel solutions, and drive meaningful change.

Embracing Technology: The Evolution of Coaching

The role of technology in continuous learning is evolving rapidly. Leaders can take inspiration from individuals like Marshall Goldsmith, a legendary executive coach, who employs digital assistants to facilitate his daily self-assessment. These assistants adapt their tone, intonation, and pace of delivery to reflect his mood, providing a personalised and data-driven approach to personal growth.

For senior leaders, adopting AI-driven coaching tools can help them track their progress, identify patterns, and adapt their leadership style accordingly. These tools offer real-time insights and recommendations, allowing leaders to make informed decisions on their learning journey.

The Ripple Effect: Sharing the Learning

Learning is not confined to individual growth; it should be shared throughout the organisation. Follow-up is the crucial link between learning and its application. It involves not only following through on learning initiatives but also disseminating these insights to the team and beyond.

To effect real change, leaders must pass both the process and the learning content to those whose behaviour they seek to influence. This approach empowers teams to embrace continuous learning (If It Can Be Digitalised, It Will Be Digitalised) collectively and aligns their efforts with the organisation’s strategic goals.

Empowering Tomorrow’s Leaders: A Commitment to Lifelong Learning

A passion to learn and adapt is the hallmark of effective leadership in the digital age. Senior leaders must master the art of continuous learning, adapt to the evolving landscape of teams, encourage the power of questions, embrace technology, and share their learning for meaningful change. By doing so, they can not only stay ahead of the curve but also inspire their teams to achieve new heights of innovation and success.

This article is © TRANSEARCH International and was originally published on the TRANSEARCH International website.

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