Over-reliance on self-help books could cause a UK leadership skills shortage.
This is according to Diane Ingham-Cook, director of training company Effective Training & Development.
“Leadership skills are more prized in other countries than in the UK and there is a huge skills gap,” she said.
“UK managers turn to self-help books because they are perceived as more convenient and more discreet, whereas business people in other countries are happier to invest more in personal and interactive advice.”
She added: “UK managers could contribute much more to their own growth and education if they avoid gimmicky self-help books and took effective leadership courses.”
Online retailer Amazon lists almost 49,000 books in its business management section.