Put Leadership Training on the Front Burner

The recession forced corporations to cut down on training, especially leadership programs, creating a deficiency that will sooner or later show up in their performance. Leadership training is highly important for success – both long-term and immediate. There can be no justification for postponing it indefinitely, not even in these tough economic times. Even a paired-down program – a workshop or a seminar once in a while, dedicated to chosen key topics – can help boost morale, spur organizational growth, improve management/stuff relations, invigorate employees, and, overall, boost productivity and improve the bottom line. To this important issue is devoted my latest article on BusinessWeek.com. Please read a sample below:

A key to invigorating employees

Leaders must know how to motivate their teams to work for mutual success and the larger success of the company. Even with the economy still faltering, more progressive companies are considering restarting leadership training. They recognize it as a wise investment in creating an invigorated workforce.

Researchers from Harvard and McGill universities carried out a six-year global study of companies that sought improved working conditions at all levels of their business and managed to be profitable at the same time. The researchers found that these companies—ranging in size from small outfits of 27 employees to Fortune 50 corporations of 126,000—knew how to support leadership at every level and how to listen to employees.

One company, Costco, found that developing the skills and talent of its employees helped recruitment and improved the long-term quality of management.

Managers must include interpersonal intelligence in their leadership tool kit. They must demonstrate that they are trustworthy and transparent. In numerous studies conducted by our own firm, the “trust gap” between the boss and employee is clearly evident. But the trust gap can be reset.

Be sure to check the the complete article for more information and practical tips.