The
UK’s business leaders are failing to inspire the next generation of directors
and chief executives.
Research
by the Institute of Management reveals that more than a third of all executives
and half of junior managers think the quality of leadership in their
organisation is poor.
Very
few junior managers rate their leaders highly, according to the institute’s
report, Leadership: the Challenge for All, which includes responses from 1,500
managers.
More
than 50 per cent of managers believe the ability to inspire is a vital part of
leadership, but only 11 per cent of respondents say their leaders provide this.
Sir
John Egan, chairman of the advisory panel for the research project, believes
employers must become more proactive in developing their leaders.
He
said, "Today’s senior people have a new accountability to the people they
lead. Good leadership is not elusive to describe nor to develop, but many
companies have yet to rise to the challenge of creating programmes of
leadership for their mangers."
Almost
half of the executives surveyed say flatter organisational structures and the
resulting lack of career opportunities are the main career barriers.
In
organisations where managers believe leadership potential is developed
effectively, nearly 60 per cent of managers rate leadership highly, compared to
only 21 per cent in other organisations.
The
other most important attributes that executives believe are often lacking among
their leaders are the ability to provide a vision, to look to the future and to
handle change.
Mary
Chapman, director general of the Institute of Management, commented, "This
research reveals a strong consensus about what constitutes good leadership and
gives clear recommendations on how organisations can bring out the potential of
their leaders. A significant minority already have an excellent approach to
leadership development, but the challenge is for the majority to recognise and
adopt these good practices."
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