Why business leaders must empower managers to get the very best from their teams - HR Magazine

Editorial verdict

Opinion-based commentary with limited evidence — the 82% statistic from CMI adds credibility, but the article is largely prescriptive advocacy for management training with no empirical methodology or original research.

Executive summary

This article addresses the widespread phenomenon of undertrained managers in UK organisations, arguing that insufficient investment in management and leadership development is a primary driver of underperformance at both the team and organisational level. The author's central argument is that business leaders bear responsibility for equipping managers with the skills necessary to lead effectively, rather than assuming functional expertise translates into management capability. The key evidence presented is a 2023 Chartered Management Institute statistic indicating that 82% of individuals entering management roles have received no formal management or leadership training — a group the article labels 'accidental managers.' The article contends that this training deficit undermines employee engagement, team productivity, and broader business recovery in the post-Covid economic environment. The implied conclusion is that closing this training gap would enable managers to develop emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and adaptive communication styles, ultimately producing more effective leaders and stronger organisational outcomes.

References

1. Chartered Management Institute (CMI) (2023).2023 Management and Leadership Training Statistics.