Talent management is now the top business priority for leaders, surpassing
growth as a commercial objective, according to a new international study.
The survey, by global HR consultancy DDI, found almost eight in 10
organisations continue to have difficulties finding qualified leadership
candidates.
The study, Leadership Forecast 2003, which follows research conducted in
1999 and 2001, determined perceptions of leadership strengths and capabilities
by both HR departments and line managers.
The research of more than 3,000 managers, employees and HR professionals,
found that fewer than half (38-46 per cent) of those surveyed have confidence
in leaders’ abilities, although this has increased slightly since 2001.
Almost two-thirds of the study’s respondents reported that they plan to
increase spending on leadership development over the next year, with the
greatest increase going towards middle managers.
