The British love to complain - they aren't called 'whingeing Poms' for nothing - and, the rotten weather aside, one of their favourite subjects is 'the boss'. And given the financial mess that we're sliding into, you'd think that our business leaders would be taking some flack. Apparently not.
In a poll of 750 people by international leadership development organisation Common Purpose, 'business leaders' were picked by 45% of those asked who their leadership role model was - ahead of politicians (no surprise there), historical figures, religious figures and teachers. Although perhaps this says more about the people polled - and today's society in general. All hope is not lost, however, as sporting figures came last, with just 3% of the vote.
And the business leaders who were singled out as potential role models? Marks and Spencer chief executive Stuart Rose, Birmingham City Football Club's managing director, Karren Brady, and Virgin boss Richard Branson.
Says Julia Middleton, Common Purpose's chief executive, 'It is great that our belief in business leaders has not been dented. It will be them that accelerate us out of recession. But if it is to be swift and strong, it will take a combined effort and a great ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams to deal with the challenges that clearly spill over boundaries and connect us all'.
At the risk of sounding like the voice of doom, perhaps we need to revist this topic in six months' time - I've a feeling that some of those business leaders may have fallen off their pedestals by then ...
Comments (4)
Posted by Maeve Sheehy | October 31, 2008 11:55 AM
There is no doubt that the next year will be a seminal one for business leaders. In good ways and bad, we are all going to see them in a new light.
Posted on October 31, 2008 11:55
Posted by Steve Miller | October 31, 2008 2:30 PM
With businesses struggling times are certainly about to change thank goodness. Out will be the leader with the touchy feely style that often reinforces poor performance and in will be the commercially driven leader who performance manages tightly, empowers only when time is available, and isn't afraid of being unpopular. Perhaps the recession will deliver a back to basics for Britains leadership capability which is long overdue!
Posted on October 31, 2008 14:30
Posted by Alwyn Welch | November 3, 2008 3:41 PM
It takes a strong leader to steer a company through a recession, but it also takes the support, cooperation and trust of the workforce. If respect doesn’t exist from the ground up, the resulting shaky foundations will bring a company to its knees.
Being a good boss is more than just commanding the respect of your staff. It’s about understanding what makes your employees tick and investing in them accordingly, whether this be through training schemes, incentives or cultural innovation.
When times are tough, people need to be motivated, and that motivation needs to be driven from the top. If a business leader can inspire and stimulate through the good times and bad, their reputation, and the company has a much better chance of survival.
Posted on November 3, 2008 15:41
Posted by Rob | February 5, 2009 9:41 AM
This is a nonsense. Business leaders and government are considered the corrupt people in society, where greed and power dominates over productivity.
England used to be a great country with innovators, inventors producing fantastic products. This was achieved by promotion within the company to work your way to the top so a business leader had the respect of his staff and good quality products were produced.
Nowadays business leaders come from business school or from common purpose training, thats why the NHS, the Police and local councils are so badly run these days with millions of pounds being squandered.
Posted on February 5, 2009 09:41