en

Candidates

Together, we’ll map out career-defining, life-changing pathways to achieve your ambitions. Browse our range of services, advice, and resources.

Learn more

Find us on WeChat

Visit our WeChat Official Account for more Career Advice

Read more

Services

We understand that no two organisations are the same. Find out more about how we've customised our talent solutions to help clients in China meet their needs.

Read more
Jobs

Our industry specialists will listen to your aspirations and share your story with the most prestigious organisations in China. Together, let’s write the next chapter of your career.

See all jobs
Candidates

Together, we’ll map out career-defining, life-changing pathways to achieve your ambitions. Browse our range of services, advice, and resources.

Learn more

Find us on WeChat

Visit our WeChat Official Account for more Career Advice

Read more
Services

We understand that no two organisations are the same. Find out more about how we've customised our talent solutions to help clients in China meet their needs.

Read more
Insights

Whether you’re seeking to hire talent or seeking a new career move for yourself, we have the latest facts, trends and inspiration you need.

See all resources

Find us on WeChat

Visit our WeChat Official Account for more Market Insights.

Read more
About Robert Walters China

Since our establishment in 2008, our belief remains the same: Building strong relationship with people is vital in a successful partnership.

Learn more

Work for us

Our people are the difference. Hear stories from our people to learn more about a career at Robert Walters China.

Learn more

4 key traits of a 21st century leader

Global mega-trends such as globalisation and digitisation have raised the speed, scale and interconnectedness with which our world operates. Organisations today require a new breed of leaders to tackle these complexities. We take a look at 4 key traits a 21st century leader should ideally possess.

Lead by inspiration, not rank

"The greatest leader is not necessarily the one who does the greatest things. He is the one that gets the people to do the greatest things." - Ronald Reagan

Inspirational leaders of today lead not by the virtue of their position but by inspiring their employees to challenge themselves for a greater cause – a vision. In the book, “Built To Last”, authors Jim Collins and Jerry Porras discovered that visionary companies paid particular attention to cultivating excellent cultures and adhering to an ideology that transcends the pursuit of profits. As a 21st century leader, you should strive to align the aspirations of your employees to the vision of your company. Start doing so by listening to employees’ aspirations and cultivating an authentic work culture at your company.

Communicate

"The art of communication is the language of leadership." - James Humes

As a leader, you may have an extraordinary vision for the employees you lead. However, if you are unable to articulate this vision effectively, you will not be able to inspire the people who work for you. Effective communication these days does not only refer to speaking and writing clearly. It is also about learning how to integrate new forms of communication such as social media and online collaboration tools into the organisation’s DNA.

No matter how successful you may become, always remember that your success could not have been achieved alone.

Embrace the VUCA environment

“We are moving from a world of problems, which demand speed, analysis, and elimination of uncertainty to solve, to a world of dilemmas, which demand patience, sense-making, and an engagement of uncertainty.” - Denise Caron

Leaders today are expected to thrive in volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous (VUCA) environments. Stakeholder relationships and processes within and around organisations have become increasingly dynamic and unpredictable. In order to thrive in the VUCA world, be consistently aware of the changing trends around you and plan your strategies early to remain flexible and agile. Do not be afraid to take intelligent and calculated risks. Cultivate a collaborative work environment with multi-disciplinary teams to tackle issues that may require creativity and innovation.

Stay grounded

“I have just three things to teach: simplicity, patience, compassion. These three are your greatest treasures. “ - Lao Tzu

As you embrace the VUCA situations around you, do not lose touch of what matters most – relationships. No matter how successful you may become, always remember that your success could not have been achieved alone. Build, maintain and deepen your relationships with your employees. Nurture the basic values of trust, compassion and humility in all your interactions with your co-workers.

Useful links

Read more on WeChat
Looking for a job?
Looking for a job?
Career Advice
Get in touch

Find out more by contacting one of our specialist recruitment consultants

Related content

View All
Managing an increased workload

As you progress along your career path, it is only natural that you will be trusted with increasing job responsibilities. Once you are able to prove you can handle the extra workload, many more options will become available to you for advancing your career. If you were hired at a junior level but ar

Read More
Having the full remote work conversation with your manager

After several months of working from home, have you come to realise that working remotely greatly improves your work performance and quality of life? Perhaps fewer distractions allow you to focus better on your tasks and less time commuting means more time for family or hobbies. If you’re wanting to

Read More
Igniting passion for your career

Have you ever wondered how some of the best musicians in the world can produce amazing performances in their recitals and concerts, over and over again, as though it was their first time? Or how an actor can perform the same play in a theatre day after day? It comes down to the fact they have passio

Read More

I'm Robert Walters Are you?

Come join our global team of creative thinkers, problem solvers and game changers. We offer accelerated career progression, a dynamic culture and expert training.