Highlights – 27 November

Given the looming upheaval in the US political landscape, next year is likely to deliver a backlash against diversity and inclusion. The concept is already being dismissed as part of a “woke agenda”. But that certainly doesn’t negate the need for continued openness, understanding and equality in the workplace.

Ann Francke OBE, CMI’s chief executive, has been quoted in the Financial Times in an article about diversity and inclusion at Rolls-Royce, in which she said that heavy engineering industries are still lacking opportunities for women to progress. Elsewhere, the National Union of Journalists has run an article calling for greater action on the gender pay gap, backing CMI calls for the mandatory reporting of employees’ socio-economic background.

In this week’s newsletter, you can learn why a culture of belonging is so important for inspiring “employees to fully engage, innovate and contribute meaningfully to their work”, courtesy of Dr Shehnaz Tehseen, associate professor in Sunway Business School’s Department of Management.  

The new way forward

We’re delighted to welcome Petra Wilton back into the CMI fold as our new director of policy and external affairs. Petra has wasted no time in presenting CMI’s take on the UK’s most pressing workplace matters – not least the importance of apprenticeships, and the effect that cutting funding to Level 7 apprenticeships may have on the NHS.

Indeed, anyone doubting the power of the degree apprenticeship may be convinced by the experience of Dawn Fletcher-Wilde CMgr MCMI. She had over 16 years of NHS experience before she sought to formalise her knowledge by enrolling on a degree apprenticeship at the University of Bolton. She loved the experience so much that she later went back to teach on the course. She shares her view that the Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship represents a “complete, positive journey”. 

Cutting funding may feel like moving decidedly backwards. It certainly won’t help the UK tackle the challenge of accidental management, an issue that continues to reverberate across the working world – whether that’s in UK articles about staff retention or Serbian discussions of how to succeed at work.

Books, blogs and podcasts

Management Publication of the Year is a new national prize CMI has launched in collaboration with the British Academy of Management and the Chartered Association of Business Schools. The award celebrates impactful works, cutting-edge research and innovative thinking – from books and blogs to podcasts – that address the critical business and economic challenges of our time. The shortlist has now been announced, so whether you’re after Christmas gift inspiration, or a podcast for your next long journey, take a look. 

Shaking things up

CMI’s research into sabbatical leave was featured last week in an article from Head Topics. The piece covered the importance of having a career break and flagged CMI’s findings that workers are prioritising employers that offer sabbaticals.

Not that everyone needs a complete break, nor a shorter working week, to be re-energised at work. A change was certainly as good as a rest for Tony Stonebridge CMgr FCMI, who leapt at the chance to visit Cape Town as part of his CMI-accredited studies at Aston University. In this week’s newsletter, he shares how he returned as an evangelist for sustainability, and set about applying his new ideas at work. 

Tony is a shining example of a manager who walks the walk. We can never have enough of those. Also in this week’s newsletter, Dr Rodney Toh, a senior lecturer at Sunway University, explores the power of keeping promises in business.

Here’s to proclaiming the need for better management – and doing something about it.

And finally...

Speaking of role modelling good management and leadership, the winners of this year's CMI Awards of Excellence are being announced today on CMI’s LinkedIn. Make sure to stay tuned for updates!

Best,

Matt Roberts CMgr FCMI

Director of membership and professional development, CMI

Image: Shutterstock / Smileus