Home > News > April 2005 > 26-Apr-2005

UK bosses fail as role models, claims survey

Only one third of UK employees (34%) see their manager as a role model, with many seeing their boss's failure to involve them when developing new ideas or making decisions as a real turn-off. That's the finding of a recent MORI survey commissioned by Investors in People.

The research found that nearly a quarter of employees (24%) feel that their line manager takes little or no account of their views or does not consult them when making decisions. Notably, managers working in SME organisations (under 250 staff), are the worst culprits with only 49% of employees saying their manager works with other staff when developing new plans or ideas, compared to 64% in larger organisations (over 1,000 employees).

The research suggests that more inspirational managers tend to be those who are team players, and involve employees when making decisions or developing new ideas, rather than those managers that simply issue orders from the top. Of those that saw their manager as a role model, over four in five (81%) said that they worked with them to develop new plans and 85% agreed that their boss worked with them to reach decisions.

Ruth Spellman, Chief Executive of Investors in People UK, said: "Our research will make uncomfortable reading for many UK managers, who are failing to inspire the very employees on whom they rely - the people whose motivation levels make all the difference to the bottom line. The UK's employees are clearly not impressed with managers who fail to communicate effectively or choose to ignore their opinions and ideas.

"Employers invest significant time and money in recruiting the right people, but many are then failing to make the most of their skills and experience. Businesses need to realise the impact management styles can have on how employees contribute and ultimately on the bottom line. Employers who don't evaluate managers' performance within this context are missing a trick."

The research also found that very large organisations (over 1,000 employees) are most effective at communicating with staff. Two-thirds of employees (66%) within these organisations said that their manager regularly shares information and takes feedback on board. Fewer than half (49%) of employees working in SMEs (under 250 staff) said the same.

These latest findings follow research released last year by Investors in People which found that 56% of UK bosses think substandard management skills are a major contributory factor in the UK's productivity gap.

Investors in People have recently launched a revised version of the Standard, which includes additional guidance on employee involvement and management skills. A specific model on Leadership and Management in the workplace has also been developed.

External link

For further information about Investors in People or the Standard, please visit www.investorsinpeople.co.uk

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