In order to succeed in business leaders must learn to ‘foster employees who are responsible and can work on their own’ says leadership specialist Bruno Bruniquel. This is the underlying principle of successful leadership and one that is sorely lacking in South African organisations and according to Bruniquel trust is the missing ingredient.

A good reference can tip the scales during the interviewing process yet many candidates overlook the importance of solid references. Career coach Catherine Breet-Byers tells applicants how to protect, prepare and leverage referees to secure the job.

During a consultative dialogue on Women and Climate Change in Limpopo Minister, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane promised to make the role of women central to the climate change challenge as women 'are the propellers and carriers of development' she said.

Leaders who have a 'know it all' attitude can prevent new ideas and perspectives from taking root which stifles innovation and hinders the discovery of more efficient and effective organisational processes. 'An open mind, open heart and open will' is essential to the success of any 21st century leader.

This question was raised by Mutsa Chironga, who spoke at the University of Stellenbosch Business School (USB) on the McKinsey research paper entitled 'Lion’s on the Move: the progress and potential of African economies', highlighting the trends that have led to Africa's growth spurt.

Some leaders think that connecting with people is only necessary when there is a clear business purpose but Bradley Pandy speaks about the importance of connecting with people inside and outside the organisation to make the most of every business opportunity.

President Jacob Zuma has commended the country’s progress in addressing gender imbalances and emancipation of women, saying the country has made great strides to improve the status of women since attaining democracy in 1994.

A business is a complex phenomenon with many variables impacting on success, and a clear universally accepted definition of business success has not yet been found says Francis Wright, however 'entrepreneurial talent is still considered the most important factor leading to business success.'

Are you intimidated by panel interviews? Then it might surprise you that ‘the judges probably aren’t very excited to be there either’ says recruitment consultant Peggy Mckee. Discover the truth about the interview room and follow Mckee’s practical and refreshing advice and ace your next interview.

Des Squire discusses the functions and purpose of workplace forums and the correct way for employers to engage with employee committees about company policy,which can include anything from rules of conduct to the criteria for merits and bonuses.

A thorough knowledge of people and business processes and a demand for honesty in business are two traits that set good leaders apart from great ones. Hylton Bannon mentions several behaviours leaders should adopt to achieve success in their organisations.

We celebrate Woman's Day to commemorate the stand taken by women in 1956 when about 20 000 women marched on the Union Building to hand over a petition. These women, marching under the banner of the "Federation of South African Women" demonstrated a passion and committment we do not see today. Is there a reason for this?

Ever wondered what makes the one soccer or rugby team perform better than the other? Is it the quality of the coaching or the number of super-talented star players or perhaps maybe the level of teamwork and tactics they employ?

30 June has gone and Workplace Skills Plans have been submitted. Setas are reviewing the submissions but what is the quality of what has been submitted? Isn't it time that the human resource and skills development professional bodies finally delivered on a qualification for SDFs?

To say that the Employment Equity Act is failing to transform South Africa would be an understatement, especially in light of recent findings which has infuriated Cosatu members who are calling it a 'national disgrace' after 17 years of democracy.

Are you aware that as an employer you are responsible for the damage caused by your employees? A court can find you "vicariously liable", and this can result in you being sued for damages. Ivan Israelstam explains how this can happen, the employer's duty, and how to manage this risk.

When it comes to entrepreneurship, does tenacity trump intelligence? NowPublic.com co-founder Leonard Brody thinks so. He says entrepreneurial success depends on a willingness to take "ten punches to the stomach and [get] up for the eleventh," citing Google and FedEx as examples

Words such as accretive, accruals and accumulated depreciation can strike fear in the hearts of even the toughest executives, but can non-financial managers combat their accounting fears? According to Mark Samowitz the principles of Accounting Comes Alive ‘make accounting accessible and understandable to anyone.’

Minister Blade Nzimande was resolute in his message of promoting and institutionalising work integrated learning when he addressed major players in the higher education and training industry urging stakeholders to ‘ensure that every workplace becomes a training space with and for the workers and the youth of the country.’

Are recruitment agencies the solution to your unemployment woes? Follow these guidelines when approaching a recruitment company to make the most of your job search and improve your chances of getting that perfect job.

ManpowerGroup calls for increased talent mobility to bridge the skills gaps and boost employment levels in the country. According to the workforce solutions specialists moving people for work should be part of the coordinated response to ongoing talent mismatches in industry.

The Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) has called for men and women to play equal roles when it comes to dealing with issues such as gender based violence and human trafficking.

When resiging be sure to exit your job with grace cautions recruitment consultant Niteske Marshall, warning that those who fail to leave their managers or collegues on good terms may suffer later, especially in South Africa 'where industries tend to be smaller and people often work within the same sector for many years.'