Military service, formerly a key stepping stone in the career of ambitious young leaders, especially in Switzerland, is no longer a prerequisite for today's managerial elite, reports
PME magazine. According to
Philippe Hertig, head of Egon Zehnder International Switzerland, the globalisation of today's workplace has created fresh challenges for leaders, which in turn call for a far wider range of competences. "One key aspect is multicultural sensitivity," notes Hertig. In dealing with clients and international partners a military background doesn't really offer any advantages, he adds. Moreover, the regular periods of absences caused by military service in Switzerland are often considered disruptive to today’s executives,who work longer hours and spend more time travelling, Hertig concludes.
