It is not the role of HR to fix leadership

The case for leadership has never been so profoundly highlighted by observers and participants.  We should expect a lot more competition for our best people. We should not look to HR for solutions, instead we should look to our managers.

What are they doing to engage all of their people?

What leadership strategies are they putting in place to ensure that talented people are recognized for contributing significantly to team output.



 The research, based on in-depth interviews with approximately 70 CEOs of UK organisations, found some areas of weakness have been highlighted by the recession and the majority (85%) of CEOs expect to overhaul the way their organisations manage people during change as a consequence of the economic crisis.


Attending to staff morale was highlighted by four in five (81%) CEOs, as an area also in need of reform and increased investment. Some 59% said they would make changes to flexible working, while 55% will revise global mobility arrangements - looking at factors such as staff travel or international secondments. 



"Despite the stagnant labour market, there are always opportunities for the best people and some organisations have used the downturn to poach from competitors that failed to ring-fence top performers. As the population ages, organisations' and countries' prosperity will depend on an increasingly limited number of talented people producing wealth so CEOs are right to be concerned about having the right people in the business."


Approximately three-quarters (72%) of respondents see having a talented, well-skilled and well-educated workforce as critical to the future competitiveness of the UK but almost a third (32%) think the Government has been effective in helping to create a skilled workforce.

Previously released findings showed that CEOs recognise the importance of having the right people in the right place - with over a third 42% hoping to increase headcount over the next 12 months.  That said, 62% stated they had reduced headcount over the past year. Perhaps in recognition of the new skills required of the emerging business environment, approximately two-thirds (65%) plan to increase investment in training and development.





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