LONDON, March 6, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --
*National Business Awards research shows that 86% of bosses think they are good leaders*
*Alan Chambers, MBE for leadership supports white paper revealing good leaders encourage loyalty and motivation*
*Sir Richard Branson voted most inspirational business leader*
*Dame Helen Alexander announces National Business Awards open for entries*
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130306/600604-INFO )
The National Business Awards has today revealed a white paper study that demonstrates the importance of strong leadership to British businesses. The research shows that both bosses and employees appreciate good leadership with over 90% of those surveyed saying that it's the most important influence on the success of an organisation. Over 80% of employees agree that having a good leader will have an impact on their own career progression, and they also believe that having a good boss inspires greater loyalty and motivation in them.
Dame Helen Alexander, National Business Awards Chair of Judges said: "Leadership is important for every business. Good leadership can inspire a team and therefore the whole organisation. The research shows the importance of strong leadership to employees, with leaders themselves also appreciating how vital it is to success. It's interesting to see that individual employees are motivated by their own success, but bosses see that success as a way of gaining for the whole business. The National Business Awards celebrate great leadership. I'm looking forward to seeing what this year's entries bring."
Britain's workers believe the top five personality traits of a good leader are honesty, good communication skills, being hardworking, trustworthiness and intelligence, which was similar to those also chosen by bosses. Both groups also said their top business leader of all time was Sir Richard Branson, followed by Bill Gates. When asked to attribute specific traits to top leaders, Branson again shone through coming top for qualities such as good communication skills, competitiveness, confidence and being hardworking, although Lord Sugar came top for his deal making skills.
Different perspectives around leadership begin to show when asked how good actual bosses are - 86% of bosses think they are good leaders, but a third of workers think their leader is ok and a similar number say their leader is good with one in 10 rating their boss as poor.
The top five personality traits of bad leaders according to employees are untrustworthiness, a patronising attitude, poor communication, instilling fear in workers and overconfidence. Leaders themselves rated poor communication, untrustworthiness, instilling fear in workers, indecisiveness and being patronising to staff as the worst traits - the main difference being that workers saw 'overconfidence' as a poor trait, but leaders thinking that 'indecisiveness' was a bigger problem. Employees are much more critical of patronising behaviour, with almost half saying this is something that bad leaders do and more women thinking it's a fault compared to their male colleagues.
Alan Chambers, former Royal Marine Commando, was awarded an MBE for 'exceptional leadership in extreme adversity' for his successful unsupported British expedition to the North Pole. He commented: "One style does not fit all situations and teams, but to reduce it to one style or model of leadership is to over simplify it and will ignite team dynamic complications; this is evident because not every style of leadership fits every personality. Every leader has their own style, but a good leader can adapt dependant on what they see. There is no one holy grail to leadership styles."
The nation's business leaders did point towards altering their leadership style if they thought it would improve business morale and profitability (93%). More than 70% of leaders say they have listened to staff feedback to help improve their leadership style, with 44% going on leadership courses and 39% modelling themselves on, or learning from other leaders. The majority (85%) of leaders also thought it would inspire them and their team to win an award, like a National Business Award, with the majority of employees agreeing it would be inspiring.
"Aspiration sits at the core of a successful business culture," commented Professor Chris Bones, Manchester Business School. "Being recognised for what you do is a key motivator for everyone. Putting yourself and your business forward lets you hear from others what they think you do well and where you could do better. Aspiring to be the best you can and being recognised for your achievements is a very positive act of leadership."
The study comes as the 2013 National Business Awards opens for entries to organisations of all sizes from all sectors across the UK. Recognising excellence, innovation and ethics in UK plc, the twelfth annual National Business Awards will celebrate a range of achievements through accolades including Leader of the Year, the Leadership Diversity Award and the Smith & Williamson Entrepreneur of the Year.
Organisations from all regions across the UK, from SMEs and social enterprises to FTSE 100s and large family firms, are invited to register for the Awards - which have distinguished themselves by the quality of businesses taking part and the robust judging process. Led by Dame Helen Alexander as Chair of Judges, nearly 100 multi disciplinary CEOs and senior directors participate as judges, bringing their expertise and insight to the three-tier judging process.
Alex Evans, Programme Director of the National Business Awards said: "The biggest motivator for entering the National Business Awards is validation for an approach and model that can be used to attract talent, investment and new business. This research not only demonstrates the importance of visible and effective leadership but a powerful endorsement to set you apart from your competitors."
To register your interest in the National Business Awards and to see the full white paper visit http://www.nationalbusinessawards.co.uk
About the National Business Awards
Open to organisations of all sizes from all sectors across the UK, the National Business Awards is the UK's most prestigious independent business recognition platform with its particular emphasis on excellence, innovation and ethical business. Now in its twelfth year, the National Business Awards connects the nations' professionals through its annual awards ceremony; year-round thought leadership and round table events; and is UBM plc's flagship awards programme. Visit http://www.nationalbusinessawards.co.uk for further information or follow us on Twitter @businessawards.
The full list of categories includes -
The Daily Telegraph Award for a Decade of Excellence in Business
The New Business of the Year
The BlackBerry Business Enabler of the Year
The Smith & Williamson Entrepreneur of the Year
The International Growth Business of the Year
The Digital Business of the Year
The Customer Focus Award
The ICAEW Sustainable Business Award
The Leadership Diversity Award
The Social Enterprise of the Year
The Innovation Award
The Growth Business of the Year
The FTSE 100 Business of the Year
The Corporate Citizenship Award
The Croner Employer of the Year
The Santander Small to Medium-Sized Business of the Year
The Leader of the Year
About UBM Awards & Partnerships
UBM Awards & Partnerships is part of one of the largest event companies in the world. They create, design and deliver Awards ceremonies that reach thousands of people globally across every sector. Their Awards publicly celebrate excellence, highlighting what is best, what is effective and what is valued.
For further information or interview opportunities contact:
Rachel Branigan
PR Manager
UBM Awards & Partnerships
Tel: +44(0)207-955-3843
Email: Rachel.branigan@ubm.com
Annelle Botha
Head of PR & Marketing
UBM Awards and Partnerships
Tel: +44(0)207-234-8753
Email: annelle.botha@ubm.com
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