The Ken Blanchard Companies have released the 2008 Corporate Issues Survey. This report "pinpoints the needs and issues of organizations seeking to develop their people to their fullest potential. The findings in 2008 represent the feedback from more than 1,800 executives, line managers, and training and HR leaders from a range of companies, industries, and countries. Since 2003, almost 4,900 leaders have participated in this ongoing study."
Reading through the survey, I didn't find many surprises. The organizational and management challenges that keep me awake at night are very similar to the ones that rank at the top of the Blanchard list. I did find one piece of data very interesting: "creating an engaged workforce" ranked #1 in the Top Management Challenges list. Then I read that this particular issue has increased in importance every year since 2003. It ranks higher than "managing change," "developing potential leaders," and "selecting and retaining key talent." That seems to contradict the leadership buzz that has been growing louder and louder over the last year: the retiring Baby Boomers and the leadership shortage that they will leave in the wake of their mass exodus. It looks as though most HR leaders are more interested in the proverbial bird in the hand. I wonder if this is a good thing (it's certainly good for current employees who want to be engaged!) or if this group is not spending enough time "envisioning the future." Your thoughts?
Posted by Lisa Shannon
Interesting question for HR!
Perhaps the engaged workforce will create the future rather than HR?
Great site!
Posted by: Scott McArthur | July 19, 2008 at 01:11 PM