ATD Blog
Recent Study Finds Managers Ethical and Professional
Wed Oct 17 2012
Content
Nearly nine out of 10 managers are seen by workers as both ethical and professional, according to a recent survey by management consulting firm Healthy Companies International . But managers rate somewhat lower at motivating employees in times of adversity.
Nearly nine out of 10 managers are seen by workers as both ethical and professional, according to a recent survey by management consulting firm Healthy Companies International. But managers rate somewhat lower at motivating employees in times of adversity.
Content
“Ethics is a complicated issue,” observed Stephen Parker, president of Healthy Companies International. “Unless a boss has done something really serious or obviously criminal, employees will generally give the person the benefit of the doubt. But where feelings come into play, or when business is off or a conflict arises, it then becomes a harder test for the boss, and our findings bear out the difference context can make.”
“Ethics is a complicated issue,” observed Stephen Parker, president of Healthy Companies International. “Unless a boss has done something really serious or obviously criminal, employees will generally give the person the benefit of the doubt. But where feelings come into play, or when business is off or a conflict arises, it then becomes a harder test for the boss, and our findings bear out the difference context can make.”
Content
Healthy Companies International surveyed 2,700 employees throughout North America to explore the behaviors of immediate supervisors. Survey results find that just six out of 10 managers are regarded very capable in such key respects as earning trust of employees or keeping promises.
Healthy Companies International surveyed 2,700 employees throughout North America to explore the behaviors of immediate supervisors. Survey results find that just six out of 10 managers are regarded very capable in such key respects as earning trust of employees or keeping promises.
Content
Here’s a breakdown of respondents who agree/strongly agree to the question “How do you rate your boss’s performance?”
Here’s a breakdown of respondents who agree/strongly agree to the question “How do you rate your boss’s performance?”
Content
Acts in an ethical manner, 86%
Acts in an ethical manner, 86%
Content
Behaves professionally toward employees, 84%
Behaves professionally toward employees, 84%
Content
Expresses values and personal belief in work, 81%
Expresses values and personal belief in work, 81%
Content
Is open to suggestions and new ideas, 81%
Is open to suggestions and new ideas, 81%
Content
Encourages employees to excel, 79%
Encourages employees to excel, 79%
Content
Listens to employees’ work concerns, 77%
Listens to employees’ work concerns, 77%
Content
Performs well under pressure, 77%
Performs well under pressure, 77%
Content
Is willing to undertake the hard jobs, 76%
Is willing to undertake the hard jobs, 76%
Content
Finds ways to show appreciation for a job well done, 72%
Finds ways to show appreciation for a job well done, 72%
Content
Is collaborative and works well with others, 71%
Is collaborative and works well with others, 71%
Content
Sets a good example for employees, 71%
Sets a good example for employees, 71%
Content
Does not let emotions get in the way of decisions, 70%
Does not let emotions get in the way of decisions, 70%
Content
Is even-handed in dealings with employees, 69%
Is even-handed in dealings with employees, 69%
Content
Delivers on promises made, 68%
Delivers on promises made, 68%
Content
Earns the trust of employees, 66%
Earns the trust of employees, 66%
Content
Communicates a clear vision of success, 65%
Communicates a clear vision of success, 65%
Content
Looks for ways to improve leadership skills, 64%
Looks for ways to improve leadership skills, 64%
Content
Is open about own strengths and weaknesses, 63%
Is open about own strengths and weaknesses, 63%
Content
Motivates employees during adversity, 59%
Motivates employees during adversity, 59%
Content
Deals capably with workplace conflicts, 59%
Deals capably with workplace conflicts, 59%
Content
According to Parker, the findings indicate that employees may be more critical of what a boss does when they are in a position to observe it directly, or where it affects them personally. “But what surprises me is the wide spread of results among the 20 behaviors—some 30 points—which means there are substantial differences in how managers or supervisors act with employees, particularly in stressful situations.”
According to Parker, the findings indicate that employees may be more critical of what a boss does when they are in a position to observe it directly, or where it affects them personally. “But what surprises me is the wide spread of results among the 20 behaviors—some 30 points—which means there are substantial differences in how managers or supervisors act with employees, particularly in stressful situations.”