We all know that businesses need good leaders if they are to thrive in today’s difficult economic conditions, and we at Fuse Learning are frequently asked by clients about leadership development skills. And not before time, if a new survey is anything to go by, as it underlines the fact that there is an overall lack of leadership in UK organisations.
The findings, from talent management company DDI and the CIPD, reveal that only about a third of UK leaders and about a fifth of UK HR professionals rate the quality of leadership in the organisations as ‘high’.
Yet less than one in four rate their own organisations’ leadership programmes as ‘highly effective’. In fact one in five leaders say their programmes are ineffective, with even more HR professionals having the same view!
According to the survey, the most important leadership skill needed over the next three years is driving and managing change, with other skills identified as making difficult decisions and executing organisations strategy.
Change management in itself is a particularly tough challenge, given that it is the people element and not the process element that is most likely to fail. This really does call therefore, for people with first class leadership skills who can ensure that due emphasis is placed on getting people ‘on board’ with change.
Perhaps too many UK organisations are still too focused on structures, hierarchies and the ‘them and us’ mentality to see that they really do need more people with excellent leadership and interpersonal skills. Time to take a fresh look at their learning and development programmes?
Visit the Fuse Learning website: www.fuselearning.co.uk
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