IT workers downbeat about their managers

Look busy - here comes the boss

Almost 60 per cent of the UK’s IT workforce thinks the dominant management style within their organisation is negative, putting the UK’s economy at risk, according to figures published today by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI).

The survey of 5,000 adults by One Poll highlights the three most common management styles within IT workplaces as bureaucratic (according to 24 per cent), authoritarian (19 per cent) and secretive (15 per cent).

Only five per cent describe their bosses as empowering and just two per cent think senior staff within their organisation are trusting.

“It is an embarrassment for the IT sector that the management style of 58 per cent of companies is seen as negative by the people that know them best – their employees,” said Ruth Spellman, chief executive of CMI.

“And in case bosses think this doesn’t matter as long as they are turning a profit, think again. Goodwill and engagement among employees doesn’t only improve people’s working lives but it adds to the bottom line – in productivity, retention rates and customer loyalty.

"Negativity breeds negativity and if we are serious about pushing the UK towards economic recovery, we need more businesses that are innovative, accessible and empowering,” she added.

The negative perceptions people have of their bosses combined with the derogatory portrayal of managers by the media may also be adversely affecting the desire of individuals to occupy senior roles, says the CMI.

Twenty four per cent of those surveyed said the traditional stereotypical ‘suited and booted’ view of managers is a major turn-off. Celebrity managers, including Lord Alan Sugar and X-Factor’s Simon Cowell, also put off a further 17 per cent.

Sugar and Cowell came off badly in the CMI’s survey with only nine per cent of respondents saying they would aspire to work for Lord Sugar and and 12 per cent Cowell.

To encourage managers working in the IT sector to consider their strengths and weaknesses, as well as how they come across to colleagues, CMI has launched an online application.

By answering 12 quick-fire questions, managers will find out whether their primary management strength is providing direction, achieving results, working with people or managing themselves. Individuals will also discover which celebrity manager their management style is most like and have access to practical guidance and advice aimed at helping them to become better managers.

“The key to improving management is knowing what is wrong, and it’s time for managers to get serious about their development, play to their strengths and develop any weaker areas,” said Spellman. “We cannot allow substandard management to continue to damage UK plc.”