What HR managers told us: Where managers need the most improvement
November 25, 2008 by Jim GiulianoPosted in: Communication, HR Training, In this week's e-newsletter, Latest News & Views, Management, What HR managers told us
We asked 655 HR managers: “If you could improve one skill of your company’s managers, what would it be?” Here’s how they answered.
73%: Communication skills
13%: Decision-making skills
14%: Other
Many of those who responded said that a lot of problems could be solved if their managers had better communication skills — with their employees, their bosses, other managers and HR.
A practical skill-booster: One HR manager said her firm had found a way to give managers “practice” at communicating. The company hooked up with a local vocational school that wanted to give its students experience at interviewing for their first jobs.
So the company agreed that new managers would hold simulated interviews with the students — giving students and managers the experience of interviewing without the risk of making a mistake. The HR manager observes those interviews and gives the manager feedback that can be used in actual interviews and other communication situations.
Tags: Communication, HR, interviews, Management
December 3rd, 2008 at 2:27 pm
Great idea! I may try to implement something similar if possible in our organization.
May 4th, 2009 at 12:35 pm
A lot of times in order to save money, companies are opting for “promoting from within”; good employees, yes; but, not the most qualified for the jobs, but just ready to grab the extra-buck; then the real “them” starts to show up. No sufficient communication skills, no organizational skills, no computer knowledge, etc. etc. In other words, great a as a lower level employees, but not great on a supervisory, managerial position. The most improvement needed is their own initiative to improve themselves. It really takes great deal from those who want to step up the ladder. No matter what the employer will do, they will not grab it if they don’t want to. My advise. Stay where you are if you are not going to have the “energy and time” it takes to defeat your current limitations.
August 3rd, 2009 at 11:40 am
This is the absolute truth! And Elia, you hit another nail on the head with your post about promoting within.
The problem in my organization is that Managers are being hired to do the technical and physical sides of their jobs without any concern for managing people. I am having a hard time changing this. Upper management does not see value in managing human capital.
December 1st, 2009 at 10:27 am
I tend to over-communicate, so I become very frustrated when I get no responses to my requests for assistance or for information from my fellow managers.