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Pandemic inspires new generation of compassionate leadership
Heralding the age of a more compassionate type of leader , almost eight in ten ( 76 %) UK business leaders consider their employees to be friends , not just colleagues , with three quarters ( 74 %) admitting they want their employees to like them , new research from global recruitment specialists , Michael Page , shows .
The findings come as the new survey of over 1,000 UK business leaders reveals that leaders ’ attitudes towards their employees have significantly changed since the pandemic began . Over seven in ten ( 74 %) admit that they are more considerate of their employees ’ needs now than they were pre-lockdown , even prioritising health and wellbeing ( 45 %) over financial profitability ( 41 %).
Almost eight in ten ( 76 %) business leaders claim to have become better at encouraging employees to look after their own health and wellbeing and have embraced flexible working as a result . In fact , nearly three quarters of business leaders ( 74 %) support a split between remote and office-based working as a permanent move , saying that hybrid working could offer employees the ‘ perfect balance ’.
Many have plans in place to support employees as they slowly make their partial return to the office . Half ( 50 %) will allow staff to leave work earlier for personal needs , including caring and parental duties , while 47 % are providing training to help employees return to office lifestyles . There is even an acknowledgement from business leaders that financial support may be necessary to encourage workers back to the office . As such , 42 % are looking to subsidise the cost of commuting or even increase wages to support colleagues return to the office .
However , when it comes to their own wellbeing , the findings show that lockdown has taken its toll on leaders . Three quarters ( 74 %) say that they find it much harder to lead a team remotely than in person , and over two thirds ( 67 %) admit vulnerability by saying their confidence as a leader has been impacted as a result of the pandemic .
Nick Kirk , Regional Managing Director UK and North America at Michael Page , said : “ We are so used to thinking of leaders as powerful , untouchable and occasionally intimidating – but it ’ s encouraging to find that ’ s not the case at all . It ’ s inspiring to see that other leaders also find it important to prioritise their employees ’ wellbeing , with many offering things such as mental health and wellness time off , as we do at Page .
“ Lockdown has presented leaders with personal challenges of their own , but their primary focus now is making sure that their employees feel happy and supported
THE PANDEMIC HAS OPENED UP POSSIBILITIES FOR LEADERS TO BECOME MORE APPROACHABLE AND HUMAN .
during a period of transition that is inevitably going to pose challenges .
“ The fact that so many are placing an emphasis on employee health and wellbeing and opening up about their own insecurities
sets a positive precedent for other people in senior leadership positions who are yet to do so . The pandemic has opened up possibilities for leaders to become more approachable and human , which will be business critical as we navigate the uncertain path towards the future of work .” x www . intelligentcxo . com
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