LEADERSHIP IN THE PROFESSIONS - SURVEY

It would not be surprising to find that perceptions of the most urgent challenges for leaders change with the economy. A spring 1009 survey of over 200 business leaders and 700 accountants by Ajilon Finance and the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) found that some high priorities change from economic boom times to busts but others maintain their importance. Unfortunately, disconnects persist between employers and employees about which leadership skills are valued and how.

*    While a third of accountants surveyed think the ability to inspire and motivate talent is the most important leadership attribute for quality leadership, and it is followed by communication skills and people management skills (what I call human performance skills, better known as "soft" skills), those accountants think that it is the knowledge and expertise and keen decision-making skills that are rewarded. This state of affairs is true of other professions as well. I would add that as a consequence, the latter hard skills are the ones that are most frequently exercised.

*   On the positive side, just under a third of respondents say training is considered a non-discretionary expense, even when belts are being tightened. While I think that figure needs to be a lot higher to maintain high quality, productivity and growth, a significant number of companies/firms acknowledge the importance of training and professional development. Other non-discretionary items I am glad to see on the tough economic times list are succession planning (number 1), workforce flexibility and enhancing the brand.

*   And about what is needed to be a more effective leader themselves, the most frequently cited factor was "more time" - more than twice as many mentions as more money or more influence.

*  The 200 business leaders attending the 2008 World Business Forum  selected "recruiting and managing generations X and Y as their number two greatest workforce issue.

*   While recruiting and retaining talent was the number one challenge cited for good economic times, in downturns the main focus was said to be generating revenue. Pursuing growth opportunities was important in both good and bad times.

Phyllis Weiss Haserot    www.pdcounsel.com