Managing Transformation in a Recession

Developing the leadership skills of middle managers and equipping them to manage change are among the top learning and development priorities for organisations in 2010.  According to the Corporate Learning Priorities Survey 2010 carried out by Henley Business School, leadership development is the most important priority for all HR professionals.

The development of middle managers is considered extremely important with 67% naming it as their first or second priority, compared with only 35% rating leadership development for senior managers in their top five priorities.

More than two thirds of respondents (67%) see equipping managers for ‘managing change' as a specific development priority, though only 16% view it as an HR concern for 2010.  This inconsistency suggests the respondents - mainly HR professionals - feel they have dealt with the immediate aftermath of change, and may see responsibility for it now passing to managers, who need to be equipped to deal with it.

Respondents indicated a significant focus on leadership development in 2010 - particularly at middle-management level. They also anticipate focusing on high-potentials as they grow and develop to lead their businesses into an uncertain future. And 67% of respondents chose managing change as a specific development priority for managers.

It seems organisations are aligning their learning and development priorities with their business objectives more closely than they have ever done before.

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