Bosses need to get their priorities right, say office workers

A new poll carried out in the US and UK claims that almost all office workers (93 percent) believe business leaders’ priorities need to shift in the current economic climate. the traditional role of leadership – as the future priority. The proportion is 98 percent of those aged 18-24. The study, Work Remastered, surveyed more than 1,000 office-based workers across the UK and the US and was carried out by consultants United Culture.

Nearly half (43 percent) think leaders should focus more on employee wellbeing, notably more than the 36 percent who say their time should be focused more closely on business growth.

In fact, more than a third of respondents (37 percent) suggest the key role leaders need to play in the future should be to focus on the employee experience, including wellbeing, diversity and empowerment. This is almost double the number (22 percent) who see meeting business goals and market success.

The poll suggests the traits employees want to see from their leaders are shifting from hard-edged business skills to perceived ‘softer’ qualities: 34 percent prioritised better listening skills, 31 percent want communications skills and 29 percent value empathy.