Advertising leadership levels have declined

Very few inject energy and enthusiasm instilled by the likes of Nkwenkwe Nkomo, Reg Lascaris, and Willie Sonnenberg. There are always exceptions, and the Harry Herbers and Mike Bosmans of today drive their teams with personal vigour, rather than position power.

When colleagues and industry peers get together, lack of leadership is always a subject of discussion - the decline has been increasingly bad over the past ten years. Leadership that propelled clients to recognise us as professionals also attracted skilled individuals of colour is speedily diminishing.

Blacks demean the industry as being unattractive, lacking stature and career opportunities. So few leaders exist in agencies today, it is easy to point them out - they are driven to recognise employees who love the business and use their skills to add value to all stakeholders.

In general, managers attend to their companies' profitability seldom factoring in the value of satisfied employees. They tend to adopt the attitude that if employees don't like working for them, they can move elsewhere. If only they could understand we work for managers, but strive for leaders. Managers always do things right, but leaders do the right thing - a huge difference.

Unsettling setbacks emerging in our industry are the irrational rush for international alignment, which puts agencies in a compromising position and eventual control by offshore shareholders, and the fading recognition of our international peers as world class. Has the industry benefited, or is it about instant gratification for those with shareholding?

'Window-dressing' blacks without vision, passion, and drive is a frustrating issue. The terms affirmative action and black empowerment are bandied about to no avail. Our industry communicates to more than 80% of South Africans but has declining black leadership. Where are they? Do they exist? Why are so many only passengers?

Our future belongs in attracting skilled people, young entrepreneurs and offering proper, sustainable training managed by experienced and fervent leaders. If we fail to recognise and recruit fresh young talent and the infusion of superb leadership, we are in danger of a self-fulfilling prophecy of doom.