CorpComms Magazine

Confidence in management is falling as one in two employees believe they could do a better job and one quarter claim that standards are getting worse due to a lack of communication and people skills, according to new research.

When asked which single skill would improve the quality of management in the workplace, 45 per cent said there was a greater need for clear, honest communication from managers to staff.

Almost all the 500 opinion formers questioned highlighted a need for managers to receive formal feedback from direct reports, whether through 360-degree feedback or part of the appraisal process. But just four in ten employees are invited to provide this feedback.

Hannah Stratford, head of business psychology at ETS, who conducted the survey, commented: 'Line managers play a crucial role in the success of any business by driving the performance level of teams. One problem is that often high-performers are promoted into management positions without the skills, desire or support to manage a team.'

Broader survey data from ETS, encompassing the views of more than 450,000 employees over the past two years, reveals managers are adept at praising their teams with more than three quarters claiming they receive recognition from their manager for a job well done.

Stratford added: 'Communication skills and the ability to provide constructive feedback are widely recognised as key development areas for managers. Companies that fully understand the importance of a manager's role in driving performance prioritise training and development to help managers be more effective.'

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