CIPD survey finds little confidence in leadership development programmes

A recent survey from the CIPD and talent management consultancy DDI has found that while a third of leaders in the UK rate the quality of leadership as ‘high’ in their companies, 20% of leaders and almost a quarter of HR professionals rate their organisations’ leadership development programmes as ineffective. Only 38% of those who responded to the UK Highlights: Global Leadership Forecast survey rated the leadership development schemes at their businesses as highly effective.

The poll questioned both leaders and HR professionals in UK companies, and based on the responses the report identified the key leadership skills needed to ensure success over the next three years, they were; driving and managing change, making difficult decisions and executing organisation strategy. Leadership development, talent management and management culture were also highlighted by the survey as the three drivers of leadership quality.

Other findings from the survey point towards training preferences and trends among leaders in the UK compared to their counterparts in other countries. Coaching from internal mentors is more common among UK leaders than leaders from across the globe, whereas computer-based learning is far less commonplace in the UK. Leaders from the UK and around the world both agreed that formal workshops were the most effective development method.

Head of HR practice development at the CIPD, Vanessa Robinson, said that while leadership development budgets remain tight in the UK, “effective leaders make a real different to the success of organisations.” She added that for companies in the UK to remain competitive in the global market, leaders need to be trained in the key skills identified by the survey.