Study reveals business leadership path

A new study to help determine how New Zealand can develop leaders to commercialise and export science and technology has set out a development pathway for business leaders to follow.

The Royal Society, an independent national academy of sciences, was funded by New Zealand Trade and Enterprise to study 31 contemporary New Zealand business leaders.

Seven growth stages were identified in the study's pathway when potential leaders would benefit from assistance, starting at primary school and continuing through tertiary education and into the workforce.

"New Zealanders have demonstrated exceptional success on the world stage but as a nation we need to expand this success in commercialisation of our science and technology if we are to achieve our much talked of knowledge economy," said project initiator Dr Stuart Corson, a member of the Royal Society Council.

Project leader, Sir Ron Carter, said the 'Once Upon a Leader' study revealed some common influences for successful leaders.

"Immediately we recognised the unique qualities these business leaders had in common. Most importantly all 31 leaders had a determination to succeed and to overcome impediments and their careers all followed similar developmental stages," Sir Ron said.

He said the study was initiated after the Royal Society questioned why more scientific knowledge had not been evident in New Zealand's exporting businesses.

"We hope the resulting 'pathway' model will help others to prepare for the challenges inherent in forging a successful international technology business and that the stories these leaders have told will give guidance to others with leadership potential and to those who wish to promote this potential," he said.

The study found mentors were often instrumental in boosting leaders' determination.

- NZPA