Highlights – 21 August

When CMI says we’re helping managers become more confident leaders, we really mean all managers – even those who may not immediately appear to qualify. Take our handbook for newly elected MPs, which has been catching people’s attention lately. 

Around half of newly elected MPs are entering Parliament for the first time, and they are likely to experience the same management challenges as the rest of us. These include the need to have difficult conversations, and ensuring their shoes are filled with the minimum of fuss when they change roles. 

In an article highlighting the guide last week, the Financial Times spoke to Labour MP Chris Curtis, who said he was enrolling in CMI training to “fill in the gaps” in his knowledge. Chris added that management was “just like any other skill — such as public speaking or being good at chess — you have to hone and work at it over time”.

We’d be surprised if you disagree. But if you do, read this piece on “quick quitting”. As well as citing figures from CMI’s Better Management report, it describes how 52% of professionals who left their role in the first six months blamed their swift exit on issues with management. 

Broaden the pool

One of our authors’ tips for effective succession planning is to make sure your talent pool is as wide as possible. In part, that means working hard to equip the people coming into the workplace. In this week’s newsletter, two Chartered Managers offer their top career tips to new graduates.

But recruiters also need to cast their net beyond those coming through higher education. Our succession planning experts suggest interviewing former military and sports professionals, and offering apprenticeships. Managers should also ensure that no demographic is excluded. Back in 2022, a CMI poll found that 71% of black employees felt overlooked for opportunities because of their identity. These problems haven’t gone anywhere: our research was quoted last week by Arab News, in this timely article. 

Healthy habits

This week’s newsletter also has a health focus. Regular exercise can boost people’s wellbeing, helping to lower anxiety and stress, increase energy levels and reduce the risk of disease. The challenge for managers is how to help their employees access these benefits while at work. We hear from two Chartered Managers who share their tips for getting teams moving – even when they’re working remotely…

 The option to work from home has blurred the line between working hours and downtime. Ann Francke OBE, CMI’s chief executive, has described this as “the new age of ambiguity”, with a grey area around whether people are well enough to work, or ill enough for time off. “Who decides?” Ann asks. 

With Covid-19 and other illnesses making a comeback, that’s becoming a pertinent question once again.

Finally, to happiness, one of the key drivers of health in the workforce. Mark Price CMgr CCMI CVO, the managing director of Waitrose, deputy chair of the John Lewis Partnership and former CMI president, has written an insightful new book on the subject, Happy Economics. 

Mark has kindly shared with us six key steps for building happiness at work. Follow these tips and you won’t just benefit the health of your employees; you may well boost the performance and productivity of your organisation – and make your talent pipeline healthier too. 

And that certainly gets our vote.

Best,

Ian

Image: Shutterstock / eamesBot