| Dealing with Performance Tops List of Leadership Initiatives | BOSTON, May 6, 2006 — Coaching a performance problem, communicating performance standards and other tactical initiatives are the most common components of leadership development programs, according to a study by Novations Group, a global consulting organization based in Boston.
A good deal less frequent are key strategic skills such as communicating vision or delegating responsibility, reported Novations, which surveyed more than 2,500 senior HR and training executives throughout the U.S. and Canada. In fact, the top five leadership development initiatives are entirely operational in focus.
The high priority given day-to-day management problems should not take anyone by surprise, said Novations CEO and President Mike Hyter. "Dealing with performance issues or handling conflict is of course fundamental to what managers do, and managers surely benefit from training in how to resolve these situations constructively, especially when differences are involved. What is disappointing is the relatively low emphasis given to the strategic dimension. At the very core of developing new leaders is getting people to look beyond the tactical stuff and to engage on the bigger issues."
Which of the following management situations or initiatives are addressed by your organization's leadership development program (please select all that apply)?| | More | Same | Less | Supervisory/management skills | 42% | 43% | 6% | Leadership/executive development | 41% | 39% | 8% | Diversity/inclusion | 26% | 41% | 8% | Sales/customer service | 22% | 43% | 7% | Interpersonal/teamwork | 20% | 53% | 2% | IT skills/systems | 19% | 45% | 1% | Communications | 19% | 51% | 12% | Technical training (related to specific industry) | 19% | 52% | 7% | Cross-cultural competencies | 18% | 42% | 5% | Strategic planning | 17% | 47% | 7% | Project management | 16% | 44% | 8% | Change management | 16% | 46% | 11% | Business practices | 15% | 48% | 8% | Basic skills | 8% | 62% | 12% |
Supervisory and leadership content both topped the list a year ago as well, but this year diversity/inclusion jumped seven points, the largest increase anticipated in the survey.
"Training & development budgets shouldn't and don't change dramatically from year to year," said Novations CEO and President Mike Hyter. "To the degree that training is regarded by senior management as a fundamental strategic tool and the planning is based on business objectives, priorities may shift modestly but are generally consistent over time. Nevertheless, we see greater emphasis on building management bench strength as baby boomers begin to retire."
The anticipated hike in diversity & inclusion budgets comes as no surprise to Hyter. "Diversity content today has less to do with addressing past grievances than with giving middle-level people greater opportunities for growth. In effect, D&I is increasingly an extension of mainstream supervisory and executive development programs."
Hyter expects more employers to build alliances with training organizations in order to leverage resources more effectively. "Outside trainers will be asked to develop specific competencies, while basic needs will be met by in-house staff."
Hyter expects more employers to build alliances with training organizations in order to leverage resources more effectively. "Outside trainers will be asked to develop specific competencies, while basic needs will be met by in-house staff."
Generational issues will also draw greater attention as employers address the gap between baby boomers and their replacements, said Hyter. "Succession planning will rise to the top of the T&D agenda. And organizations will expand talent management efforts that look at an employee's entire life cycle in an integrated way."
Equation Research conducted the Internet survey of 2,556 senior HR and T&D executives in December 2007.
Novations Group is a leading provider of consulting and training services on four continents. Novations is recognized for its expertise in diversity & inclusion, employee engagement, talent management, employee selection, leadership development, organization communications, sales training and customer service. |
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