Why Are Line Managers So Critical?
Posted by Eve Bulman on April 14 2009 @ 12:49
I've always been interested in the area of management development and leadership but particulary since January of this year, I've been thinking about this area a lot, in light of current market conditions and responses of industry to these.
Typically, the word on the street seems to be that companies are cutting back on medium to long term development activities - cutting budgets and activities there in a bid to stay afloat. I really do understand why this is happening - from both an economic and CSR perspective, but I'm still not really getting it - surely organisations (especially the large corporates!) realise that letting go of medium - long term focus now and thinking, resonding and leading out of just the 'here and now' will put them in anything but good stead over the long term.
- What will happen when the economy begins to recover?
- What will happen when the focus shifts from survival to growth?
- Where will these organisations be then?
I'm guessing that these organisations will lack fundamental management (not even leadership!) skills that will enable them to move forward quickly and respond to the changed conditions.
I'm a real believer and supporter in the concept of Recession + Opportunity. I'm currently observing lots of business leaders from various sectors and size organisations who are all taking advantage of the current climate to build, regroup, learn and redevelop. I believe that these leaders will soar forward when conditions pick up again because they will be the innovators - they will be the knowledge leaders.
In my article Why Line Managers are so Critical to Success in the Current Climate (a long title I know - sorry!) I've pointed out why we need to be developing our line management and leadership talent right now - NOT pushing the pause button.
I'm interested to hear the thoughts and ideas from others out there too?