Leadership and Communication Trump Knowing Stuff

Posted on 24. May, 2006 by Wayne in General

Okay, maybe that’s not what this article says. Still, Folks, it’s becoming more and more apparent there’s a screaming need for good managers and book learnin’ and technical competence are only parts of the big picture. Here’s the start of an article that was on Management Issues this morning: 

 Leadership Skills Rated More Highly By City Than Qualifications

 Getting ahead in the cut-throat world of financial services requires excellent communication skills, attention to detail and leadership, but professional qualifications are considered less important, a survey by a British recruitment consultancy has found.

A poll of more than 300 financial services staff by Badenoch & Clark found those were the top three qualities required to progress a career in the City.

Excellent communication was considered the number one factor by 34 per cent of those polled, with more than half placing it first or second out of the eleven qualities they could choose from.

A total of 47 per cent ranked attention to detail in either first, second or third place, with leadership scoring 45 per cent.

Technical competence was put in the top three spots by 39 per cent of those polled.

The least important qualities were a mixed bag of soft and hard skills as well as other factors.

Strong networking and a propensity for good self-publicity were deemed less important factors in advancing careers.

Being politically aware, contrary to many surveys which suggest “who you know” as crucial to securing an internal step-up, was also not given value by those polled either.

Honesty and cultural fit were only averagely ranked too, with most placing them 6th or 7th.

More surprisingly, perhaps, 41 per cent of respondents believed that achieving professional qualifications had little or no impact on career growth, placing this as 9th, 10th or 11th place.

You can read the whole article here

Why do I tell you this? Because that’s what we try to do at The Cranky Middle Manager Show; talk about the 4 disciplines of Management that really make an effective manager and leader. 

What can we do on the show to help prepare you and your team better? Let us know and we’ll oblige.