The BBC is launching a multi-million pound leadership programme in a bid to
improve line management and boost creativity across the organisation.
Nigel Paine, head of BBC training & development, told Personnel Today
the corporation is introducing a comprehensive, compulsory leadership programme
for the 7,500 BBC employees who manage more than three people.
He said every manager will undertake the course over the next four years and
it will then continue under a rolling programme. "It will prepare people
for stages of leadership from junior management to the most senior," he
said.
Earlier this year, BBC employees told director general Greg Dyke the
corporation was full of management bullies and "Bafta bastards" –
badly behaved programme makers who are only interested in winning awards.
Due to start in September, the programme took nine months to develop and
will be taught in partnership with Ashridge Business School. It incorporates face-to-face
learning, online modules and one-to-one coaching. It will incorporate BBC
values, including having respect for colleagues and striving for quality.
Paine said the programme was developed after staff called for more
consistent management.
Earlier this year, exclusive research by Personnel Today, Computers In
Personnel and Richmond Events, revealed signif- icant skills gaps at line
manager level in areas critical to productivity and competitiveness. Only a
quarter of the 700 HR professionals polled felt their managers have the
necessary skills to take their company forward.
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Exclusive, By Quentin Reade
