BUSINESS
People and leaders in Industry 4.0 – part I
Whenever we consider somebody to be a great leader, we are expressing admiration, respect and
recognition. At first, we cannot say exactly what we think about that particular person. We just know
-- feel -- that special something. What are these leaders like?
The faster the tempo of introducing new
technologies and digitization goes, the
greater the requirements put on people
are. A new business environment is being
developed. Limitations and borders
are fading to create space for a world
interconnected in the broadest possible
sense. That is reflected in working with
people: they need room to express
themselves, and want to find sense in what
they do. Modern times are favourable to
leaders who find opportunities in changes
in the market, and are skilled at developing
the potential found around them.
In the present world, leaders desire to win
and follow their bold dreams. Yet the way
to achieve these victories is changing: they
collaborate with teams of people whose
potential they develop, whose creativity
they support, whose minds they open,
and whose understanding of relations
they assist. Leaders of the present times
use their intuition to make decisions in the
transformation processes.
Technologies help put businesses on the
same (or very similar) level. What makes a
difference among individual companies is the
people. Different people with their dreams,
their drive to achieve victories, and to live their
meaningful lives. That is the challenge. Each
leader must find the way to work with their
people and assist them on the road to success.
Average leaders are viewed
as business executives; the best
leaders are viewed as great
human beings.” Mike Myatt.
There are many companies in the
Moravian-Silesian Region, too, who
carefully think about their people. I
asked Mr Petr Mohelník, Ferrit s.r.o. CEO
what his perception of leadership is.
“I see a true leader in a person who is capable
of leading a team even without being
officially in charge. True leaders manage
their people by being a good example, by
giving inspiration, and by making the people
enthusiastic in a common and meaningful
goal. This helps to motivate the team to an
excellent performance and positive results.”
Which Czech leaders inspire you and why?
My great inspiration is the manager, coach
and mentor Jan Mühlfeit. His ideas on
positive leadership and his motto “Success
is not the way to happiness; happiness is the
way to success” helped me move a great
deal ahead.
Which leadership skills would you list as
your top three and why?
The capability of listening to people
and of inspiring; to approach everyone
individually; and to apply proper
leadership style. An extremely important
skill is to help people see sense in their
work. I have quite often met applicants at
job interviews who were quite indifferent
to attractive salaries, yet keen when
informed about our company’s vision and
interesting projects.
What are the main tasks of leaders
nowadays? What are the best ways to lead
people?
Seeking the answer to the question how to
keep the most efficient people. These tasks
will be easiest for those managers with the
best leadership skill set. Those who actually
show people sense in what they do, and
focus on their potential, invest their time
and attention in them.
Text a foto:
Radka Šušková
POSITIV ǀ 3/2018 35