Quote of the week
“Pride in public service is declining…”
— National Managers Community consultations
Editor’s Corner
The National Managers Community has posted the results of its 2012 consultations on its website (http://managers-gestionnaires.gc.ca/home-acceuil-eng.php). Called The Voice of Managers, it’s a snapshot of the concerns facing the federal middle manager community across the country.
Two of their concerns stick out, and both show that the group recognizes the importance of good leadership. Both also demonstrate, sadly, that much still has to be done to improve leadership capacity in the public service.
Three quarters of surveyed managers say that employee engagement is a worry. (Interestingly, 90% of them feel engaged themselves). And they are right: it should matter.
Their preoccupation with this issue speaks to two things. First, managers get that a workforce which feels part of the organization is a productive one. Second, it is an admission that the recent processes unleashed by Budget 2012 and DRAP were simply not done well. It is hard to get employees to function well in an environment characterized by a lack of clarity, unclear outcomes, and a lack of communication.
Which brings up their second point: lack of communication from senior management. Only half (54%) say their organization did a good job of communicating “around recent budget decisions.” It’s no secret that the main requirement of any change management initiative is communication – even if you have little to say.
Good communication in times of stress reassures employees. It can start a “conversation” about the changes required, and in doing so build employee engagement – and support.
The consultations speak to how much we have to learn about successful leadership through change. It shows that as leaders the middle managers get it…even if some of those who lead them do not.
Want to know more about what it takes to be an effective leader? You should check out CGE’s upcoming Leadership Summit at http://cgeleadershipsummit.ca/
