26/08/2011 Calling time!
It’s time for managers to reconnect with their teams.
Recent research from the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) paints a rather worrying picture of the lack of trust and confidence in managers today. Their survey of 2,000 employees across the UK reveals that over half (55%) don’t think their manager possess sufficient ability to do their job, while managers believe they are good at what they do. This has led to a ‘competence gap’ which is undermining the productivity of UK workplaces.
Data like this raises all sorts of questions. As employers, what are we doing to ensure managers are qualified to lead? And are we giving them the skills to engage and get the buy-in they need from their teams?
Our own research concurs with this apparent lack of confidence in management ability.
When we asked 2,500 employees across Europe who they prefer to work with for their on the job training, the resounding answer was a coach or tutor. In fact, managers are the last person employees turn to today, with just 14% of learners turning to their manager compared to 48% preferring support from a coach or tutor. Managers could and should be more involved.
Clearly, somewhere along the line during the recession, employees lost faith in their managers and it’s time now that we do something about it. It’s amazing how training can reenergise managers and give them the focus, motivation and confidence they need to reach out and reconnect with their teams.
Management and leadership skills were certainly a casualty of the financial crisis and more resources need to be directed into coaching and relevant training programmes to boost performance, morale and loyalty. Companies who ignore management skills, do so at their peril!
