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Companies Rate One-Third Of Their Employees Unqualified For Promotion |
One-third of companies said their middle managers are unqualified to be promoted to higher-level positions, according to a survey by ClearRock, an executive coaching and outplacement firm headquartered in Boston.
While almost two-thirds of employers rated their middle managers qualified for promotion, only 6 percent rated them "very qualified," according to the survey of about 100 organizations by ClearRock.
The skills that middle managers most need to develop to be ready for promotion are:
strategic thinking, leadership, communication, and developing direct reports, according to the survey.
"More than five times as many employers feel their middle managers are unqualified for promotion than those who said their middle managers are very qualified," said Greg Gostanian, ClearRock managing partner. "At best, most companies rate their middle managers as being in the middle of the pack - and sorely in need of the strategic thinking and leadership skills that will help raise them to the next level."
Organizations today are starting to prepare employees earlier in their careers for future leadership positions, instead of waiting for them to become middle managers, according to Annie Stevens, ClearRock managing partner. Only 25 percent of companies are providing middle managers with more coaching and management development than two years ago, according to an earlier ClearRock survey. Half are providing the same amount, and one-quarter are giving them less management preparation.
"More employers have shifted their focus to developing high-potential employees into future leaders, and are offering them coaching, mentoring, and management development at earlier stages in their careers," Stevens said. "Companies are seeking to improve the retention of their high-potential employees by developing them earlier as future leaders."
According to the results of the most recent ClearRock survey:
- About one-third of companies (32%) said their middle managers are unqualified to be promoted to higher-level positions, while about two-thirds (62%) rated them as qualified. Only 6% of organizations rated their middle managers as very qualified.
- The skills middle managers need to develop most in order to be suitable for promotion are:
| Strategic thinking |
(82%) |
| Leadership |
(78%) |
| Communication |
(62%) |
| Developing direct reports |
(60%) |
| Motivating people |
(53%) |
| Vision |
(52%) |
| Change management |
(50%) |
| Building teamwork |
(42%) |
| Decisiveness |
(39%) |
About ClearRock
ClearRock focuses on executive coaching and outplacement. The coaching process helps link business objectives, vision, and direction with individual development of key leaders in the organization. The outplacement process helps individuals and groups successfully navigate through the career transition process, and clarify and implement career and life goals and objectives. For more information, please visit our website at www.clearrock.com .
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