An alarmingly high number of skilled executives – 86% – say they’re willing to leave South Africa for greener pastures, according to a survey run by executive recruitment specialists, Jack Hammer.<\/p>\n
The group has published its latest Jack Hammer Executive Report, which investigates the leadership landscape in South Africa and the rest of Africa.<\/p>\n
This year, the research focused on the management makeup of SA\u2019s Top 40 listed companies (totalling 373 executives and 41 CEOs), as well as a random selection of 40 other large to medium sized organisations with offices in the country.<\/p>\n
In addition, the group polled senior managers of local and multinational companies across the retail, financial services, professional services, education, FMCG and telecoms sectors on a number of issues, such as business sentiment and outlook for the future.<\/p>\n
“Over the past three years, there has been a consistent year-on-year increase in the number of professionals who would consider leaving the country,” the group said.<\/p>\n
“This year, an unprecedented 86% of top South African executives polled indicated that they would take seriously an offer to move abroad.”<\/p>\n
The results show that the percentage of executives willing to relocate abroad has significantly jumped from 47% in 2016, and 78% in 2017, showing an upward trend.<\/p>\n
“These statistics support the findings of other independent surveys and research projects across a number of other sectors this year,” said Advaita Naidoo, COO at Jack Hammer.<\/p>\n
“Unfortunately, this also bodes ill for transformation, as 49% of those interested in relocating to \u2018greener pastures\u2019 were black respondents,” she said.<\/p>\n
According to Naidoo, the trend of senior professionals from all backgrounds who are willing to consider a future outside of the country is likely to persist in coming years.<\/p>\n
What makes the trend particularly concerning, is that the people who will leave are those best positioned to effect meaningful change in the country.<\/p>\n
South African managers are held in high regard wherever they land, and boast a reputation for being hard workers.<\/p>\n
“Given the prevailing combination of push and pull factors, it’s merely a matter of time before international opportunity knocks for suitably qualified and experienced candidates, and the pool of top talent contracts a little bit more for each executive opening the door to a life abroad.<\/p>\n
“So we have an unfortunate situation, where the number of top professionals committed to a career future in SA is diminishing, while the demand for their expertise is not,” Naidoo said.<\/p>\n
Organisations must urgently start thinking creatively about how to approach the current and future building of strong teams that can drive growth, she said.<\/p>\n
“In times of difficulty, it is more important than ever to convince professionals with a strong track record that despite the current climate, your organisation will continue to offer opportunities worth staying for.<\/p>\n
“Although there is not much an organisation can do to retain valuable employees whose reasons for leaving are based on socio-economic-political concerns about the future, they are not completely powerless.<\/p>\n
“If things are going really well for someone professionally, and the company is acknowledging them with career opportunities and financial rewards, the inclination to look abroad might be a little less enticing.”<\/p>\n
However, Naidoo noted that when people are continuously overlooked for promotions, don\u2019t get the bonuses or financial incentives they deserve, or don\u2019t feel a connection to the work that they are doing or the people they work with, their reasons to stay rapidly dwindle.<\/p>\n