Highlights – 26 November

With the long nights now upon us, the run-up to the Christmas break can begin to appear like a golden opportunity to wind down. But to do so would mean missing a trick. As a recent article in The Times explained, it’s better to use this period, now known as the ‘winter arc’, to boost your prospects and opportunities. 

The article borrowed a phrase from CMI, calling these winter months “the sweet spot for ambition”. 

Petra Wilton, CMI’s director of policy and external affairs, is quoted in the piece, saying “great managers use this burst of energy to support new ideas, give people space to show what they can do through stretch projects, and turn late-year motivation into something lasting”.

Marching towards net zero

If you’re searching for new ideas, stretch projects and lasting impact, look no further than the sustainability transition. Last week saw the launch of Leading the Pathway to Net Zero, our latest thought leadership report. At the launch event, a panel of experts shared their top sustainability tips for managers. These include: knowing which of your current activities need to change; balancing the impact of technology with human intelligence; and offering proper training. You can read the advice in full in this week’s newsletter. 

Workplace monitoring

Our other research keeps gaining traction, too. The Register reported on the booming market for ‘bossware’, software that’s used to monitor remote employees. The piece cites CMI research, which found that, among the organisations that are using such tools, 36% track browser history and 35% monitor email.

Meanwhile, an article in IT Pro exploring the ethics and effectiveness of employee monitoring cited our findings that two in five managers we surveyed believe surveillance doesn’t work and instead damages morale. 

A more effective approach would be to create a culture of trust. Indeed, while tougher times may drive many managers to tools that track employee productivity, such moments are actually an opportunity to define great leadership. That’s according to Amélie Leroy CMgr FCMI, who contributed an article for this week’s newsletter on how to lead through redundancy periods in a way that rebuilds trust and culture. 

Accidental managers

On a related note, Business Matters has published a blog by Jules Bennington, senior policy officer at CMI, on the importance of building essential skills for a productive economy. Jules argues that while the government’s focus on technical expertise is essential, it’s “only part of the puzzle”. The blog cites CMI research showing that 82% of managers were promoted without formal training and calls for a system that allows employers to access “high-quality, modular, accredited training”.

The importance of management development was central to another recent blog post that cited CMI’s research into accidental managers. Author Anna Phipps, a leadership and organisational development consultant at the professional services firm AAB, argued that without coaching or development, these managers often struggle, leading to falling productivity and rising stress.

In this week’s newsletter, we meet Sewell Advisory’s Dayle Lynch CMgr FCMI, who says she’s had an accidental career – and shares how CMI’s qualifications and accreditations have helped her progress. We also eavesdrop on a fascinating conversation between two professionals – clinical pharmacist Katie Joyce and her chief executive Samantha Allen CMgr CCMI – who both began their leadership careers as accidental managers. They discussed the value of professional standards, accreditation and continual learning in the NHS.

Overcoming ‘sick-note Britain’

Finally, in her latest column for The Times, Ann Francke OBE CMgr CCMI, CMI’s chief executive, advised a manager struggling with employees who use sick notes to avoid contact from their bosses.

Ann wrote that the best way to overcome the “firewall of fear” surrounding sickness is to encourage “genuine communication between the unwell employee and their line manager”. 

“The core issue is often managers’ unpreparedness for these vital human conversations,” Ann added. She then highlighted CMI research showing that, while 97% of managers agree they need training to support staff returning to work, only a third receive it. 

Let’s send training to the top of that Christmas wishlist. 

Best,

Matt Roberts CMgr FCMI

Director of membership and professional development, CMI