The rapidity of change in the world of business can at times be alarming. It seems that every time you turn around, there’s a new social media platform changing the way we see the world and our place in it, a new technology that will revolutionise the planet, or a new start-up that is coming to eat our lunch.
Change can be scary. It can be uncomfortable, unpleasant, and utterly disruptive.
Eileen Thornhill, Director of The LLC Academy, a 73.57% Black Owned Level 2 Designated Group Supplier accredited by the Services SETA, QCTO and approved by COMENSA (Coaches and Mentors of South Africa), has a rather different perspective on change.
“I, and my colleagues at The LLC Academy, see this ever-changing world of business as a positive,” says Thornhill. “Without change, we would not have growth, development, or the potential for a more diverse and cohesive South African future.”
“We live in a VUCA world, an acronym that stands for Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity and Ambiguity. Each of these we see as a positive rather than a negative, as a world that allows for this kind of disruption is one that is not static or stagnant,” says Thornhill. “It’s why we offer a programme called VUCA Essentials, which serves to equip our students with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive in a VUCA world.”
So, what kind of skills are necessary to flourish in a volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous business environment?
“The VUCA Essentials course helps to develop our students into creative problem solvers who can think multilaterally,” says Thornhill. “This ability to think creatively is essential, and we often see our students develop elegant solutions to the real-life problems they are given in the course that astound both us and their employers.”
“Another aspect that I find particularly fascinating is how diversity in the classroom can influence creative problem solving,” says Thornhill. “Too often, the higher echelons of business feature decision makers that all have similar backgrounds. This can result in a tendency to see only one way to solve a problem, because they are all coming at the issue from the same perspective.
“When we diversify the decision makers, we often get a multiplicity of different ideas on how to resolve the issue. Even better is when we can work together to synthesise these potential fixes into a holistic solution that addresses not only the current issue, but potential issues down the line,” says Thornhill.
If you recognise that there is a need for creative business minds that are equipped for a world that is volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous, talk to the professionals at The LLC Academy. We understand that building homegrown talent requires that you strengthen your talent pipeline for today and develop your talent pipeline for tomorrow, and we can help you to do so with your own business.