What support do managers need most in today’s economic climate?

We need to be supporting our managers, not least because 82% of UK managers are promoted into their roles with no formal training at all. 

Managers also face pressure due to economic conditions, fast-changing technology, demographics and, in some cases, the impacts of climate change. All of these factors can dramatically affect managers’ ability to do their job. 

The question is, how best to support managers?

We recently polled the CMI community on the question: what support do managers need most in today’s economic climate? 

What support do managers need most in today's economic climate?

Just over a fifth said crisis leadership training is the most vital form of support. Meanwhile, 30% said mental health support was most important, a nod to the psychological pressure facing managers and their teams today. 

But the clear winner of the poll wasn’t a form of training at all. It was a management fundamental: clearer communication, with 46% of the votes. Senior teams need to be supporting their managers by conveying their needs and expectations, by showing them the roadmap and rationale for where the organisation is heading and what they must prioritise in order to get there. 

What did the comments say?

Typical of our LinkedIn polls, the comments section was lively and full of insight. Bryan Pang CMgr MCMI was among those pressing for clearer communication, setting out what can go wrong when there’s no strong instruction from above. 

“Operational managers are often left guessing how to prioritise between cutting costs, investing in innovation or managing workforce morale,” he wrote. “A clear and well-communicated direction from the board and senior leadership could unify purpose and confidence in execution.”