Leadership Articles
Leadership Development – Invest and Avoid the Skills Shortage
The good news for the economy is that unemployment is unlikely to reach the projected rate of 8.5%; the question remains however, that as recovery looms will Australia have the skills capacity in the workforce to take advantage of the upturn?
Recent research from the National Institute of Labour Studies indicates that unlike previous recessions, the skills shortage of 18 months ago has influenced companies to hold onto staff, rather than hiring and training young workers to boast the skills pool.
Good Boss, Bad Times – Improving Leadership Effectiveness
Few industries have been spared from these tough economic times. Executives around the world are facing difficult decisions everyday involving lay-offs, pay cuts and managing a workforce that is constantly under threat. A McKinsey Quarterly opinion piece “Good boss, bad times” caught my interest with some useful tips for today’s leaders.
McKinsey interviewed Robert Sutton, noted author and management professor from the Stanford Graduate School of Engineering. Sutton discusses how tough times intensify the work environment and as a leader you are under even more spotlight. He speaks of a “toxic tandem” evident in current times where leaders tend to be more oblivious to the needs and actions of their subordinates. Further, subordinates have a heightened focus on trying to figure out what is going on.
Training Is An Investment Not An Expense
In a recent report by the Australian Institute of Management, 81% of companies said investing in employee development and retention will benefit their organisations in the medium-term. The question is … will they actually commit to the investment?
At the top of the list of budget cuts for most companies in these uncertain times is marketing and training. So, while companies may ‘believe’ investment in development will return a benefit, many are not laying the funds on the table to make it happen.
Leadership – Taking Your Brand to the Frontline
The importance of the role of manager’s play in infusing real change is under-estimated in most organisations. Whilst it’s true that perhaps certain leaders are borne, the significant majority are developed into becoming leaders. Your position as a manager or supervisor gives you the authority to accomplish certain tasks and objectives, this power does not make you a leader, it simply makes you the boss!
If you google the word leader or leadership, there are 487 million hits. That’s a lot of information which can only add to the confusion of what leadership really is. Leadership is not the sole responsibility for ‘people at the top’’ everyone can learn to lead by tapping into the abilities that lie within each of us. Leadership differs from management in that it makes the followers want to achieve high goals, rather than simply bossing people around.