The times of “command and control”, when managers saw their task as giving orders and controlling employees, are over: This is a central statement of the management report published by the Hernstein Institute for Management and Leadership. 1500 executives were surveyed. According to this, nine out of ten respondents in Austria and Germany agree that the main task of managers in the future will be to support employees in developing their own potential. 80 percent of those surveyed are of the opinion that they at least partially realize this role as “coach” in their own management area.
The reason for this role change is the past two years, which have been shaped by various crises. Twelve percent said it had become significantly more difficult to lead their own team. 39 percent rate it as “somewhat more difficult”. Only ten percent see relief.
Independent employees
Remote work, i.e. working from a location other than the office, has become normal in many companies. This calls for new concepts. “Leadership through spontaneous instructions is practically impossible to carry out,” says Michaela Kreitmayer, head of the Hernstein Institute. Therefore, employees must be enabled to a high degree of independence.
One reason is probably the shortage of skilled workers: 18 percent said that due to this shortage, more consideration is given to the personal needs of employees. 52 percent “rather agree” with this statement.
Source: Nachrichten
