Help for unemployed managers

I was invited as a guest to a seminar run by the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM)a few days ago and was impressed by the high standard of content in the session we had on "Crucial Conversations" in the workplace.

As a career coach I have several clients who are managers and are finding themselves at risk of redundancy.  With the prospect of competing in the open market for a senior management role, they are often aware that they haven't the qualifications to bolster their CVs (and confidence).

Its not all about qualifications, but they can help.  The ILM recently surveyed CEOs from 50 UK companies on what management skills they look for in the current recession.

The research focused on two main areas: personal characteristics, and management skills and knowledge.

Personal characteristics most sought after were:

• A strong purposeful approach. Over a third (35%) of CEOs said that it was most important for their senior managers to have a strong purposeful approach and be resilient, tenacious, disciplined, committed and driven. These qualities are essential to overcome barriers, move the business forward and make the most of new opportunities.
• Innovating out of a recession.  Almost a quarter (23%) of CEOs said that it was most important that senior executives are quick to adapt to changing circumstances and can develop innovative and effective solutions to problems. They list characteristics such as innovation, flexibility, creativity and problem solving as highly desirable.
• Maintaining a positive outlook. 17% of CEOs said that they want managers to be confident, optimistic, positive and have a can-do attitude, and believe that there is a strong association between positivity and solution-driven hard workers with a winning mentality – people more likely to fight for a company’s survival.

Management skills and knowledge they look for are:

• People management skills.  Encouraging a positive, innovative and motivated workforce requires sophisticated people management and communication skills, and 27% of CEOs rate these as the most important skills for senior managers. CEOs need senior managers who can motivate, empathise and inspire others.
• Controlling costs and budgets.  CEOs want a financially literate senior team that can exercise financial control and discipline, and demonstrate excellent financial management and budgeting skills. The ability to control costs and budget was considered most important by 22% of CEOs.
• Building client relationships.  11% of CEOs surveyed want managers to understand the markets they operate in and how the recession is affecting their customers. The ability to seek out and capitalise on new business opportunities is crucial. CEOs need senior managers who can deliver, when the opportunity arises.

If you are a manager and facing redundancy, then the ILM is offering a free 6 month membership to help you to sharpen up on your skills.  Well worth taking a look.

As a people and career management specialist, Recrion is actively facilitating Response to Redundancy funding to help people to find new employment quickly.  Visit www.recrion.co.uk/free for more information or call Katherine Wiid on 01780 484910 for a chat.