The UK Lacks Inspiring bosses

Statistics recently released highlight the urgent need for managers to develop inspiring leadership skills, if they want to get the best out of their teams … or they risk losing key staff.

Having a manager that fails to stimulate engagement is directly affecting the productivity levels of staff according to a recent survey.

More than half of UK employees say feeling inspired and engaged makes them work better and it seems our peers, rather than our managers, are the ones making a positive impact on our levels of engagement.

When those surveyed were asked who negatively affects employee engagement, 19% said senior leadership team and 11% line managers. That means that 3 in every 10 employees are demotivated by their bosses!

The study by Investors in People showed that some 7.2m people don’t feel motivated by their managers, and almost as many say they don’t get enough appreciation for their work.

57% of employees said they would prefer more proactive, regular interactions with their managers and only 26% currently get this offered at their place of employment.

42% of those surveyed believed that their peers had the highest impact of workplace positivity. This was followed by line managers (21%) and business unit managers (seven per cent).

Only three per cent of respondents said that HR has the biggest positive impact on their levels of engagement.

53% want recognition of achievements to be management’s biggest priority. 35% want to understand their contribution to the company, and 34% want the chance to work on exciting projects.

Large businesses, with 1,000 employees or more, are worst affected, as a full third of employees at these companies complain they don’t feel motivated by their managers.

The results of the survey mirror what we are seeing in organisations every day – that is, many employees are feeling frustrated in their roles due to poor management. These findings should be a wakeup call to senior leaders … and to any organisation that is looking to improve performance and results. 

Let me ask you – how is it possible for unhappy, unmotivated and disengaged employees to go beyond the call of duty, offer exceptional customer service or develop exciting, innovative products that move your brand forward? They can’t and that’s why it is up to you as a leader to inspire your whole team to be what they know they can be.

Strong and inspiring leaders are critical in business … and the majority of managers can learn effective leadership techniques that will improve engagement, and transform performance and results.