Perceptyx Report: 1 in 4 Managers Are Flat-Out Miserable Right Now
July 16 2024 - 9:00AM
America’s managers are not all right, according to new data from
Perceptyx, the global leader in employee experience (EX)
transformation.
Perceptyx’s latest panel survey found many corporate managers
feeling stressed, in need of coaching, and worried they aren’t
leading effectively.
Despite their popular image as TPS report-dispensing tyrants of
the regional office, mid-level managers say they’re eager to get
better at their jobs and improve the experience of their direct
reports. In fact, 70% of managers have taken action based on
employee feedback, showcasing their attempt to do better in their
role. However, while 81% have had formal training, about 60% say
they could use more ongoing coaching to improve their skills, and
24% have not been coached at all.
To make matters worse, many say the job is getting harder. These
managers said they were increasingly caught between demands from
above and below, with 39% saying pressure from leadership has
increased since last year and 37% saying pressure from direct
reports has increased since last year.
“When managers are hurting, it’s bad news for everyone,” said
Emily Killham, Senior Director and Head of the Center for Workforce
Transformation at Perceptyx. “Mid-level managers are the ones
working face-to-face with other employees. They have a huge impact
on overall employee morale, engagement, and productivity.”
The view from below is similarly grim. Nearly 25% of employees
say they’re working for their “worst boss ever,” the same as in
2023.
Employees reporting to the “worst manager” note a lack of
specific behaviors that differentiate them from other managers:
integrity, effective communication, expertise, taking action, and
customer focus.
On the plus side, Perceptyx found evidence that coaching has
clear, cascading benefits for teams as leader skills improve, but
it also generates benefits for the managers themselves. Those who
receive coaching are 1.3x as likely to be fully engaged in their
jobs, 1.3x as likely to say stress levels at work are manageable,
and 1.3x as likely to be able to manage their workloads.
“Organizations that support their mid-level managers can greatly
improve employee engagement, boost productivity, and achieve
sustainable success,” said Killham. “Giving managers the tools and
training they need fosters a culture of success and continuous
development that pays dividends across the organization.”
In response to these findings, Perceptyx has developed Grow, a
revolutionary manager development solution that directly addresses
these challenges. Grow leverages AI to assist managers with
development planning based on 360-degree feedback and delivers
scientifically-backed nudges, providing managers with targeted,
actionable guidance throughout the year. Beginning with objective
insights from 360 peer feedback, people leaders gain a holistic
view of their performance where both their strengths and areas for
improvement are identified. Grow's AI-driven approach then tailors
the development process for each manager aligned to key
organizational competencies, as well as personalizing it according
to the individual's own growth priorities. Next, by directing
Intelligent Nudges to deliver timely, practical, and
context-specific advice specific to their personalized development
plan, Grow helps managers adopt new behaviors and skills in
real-world scenarios.
This innovative solution not only meets the urgent need to
better support managers, but also drives organizational success by
fostering more engaged, skilled, and resilient leaders who in turn
contribute significantly to employees’ overall engagement and
success.
To download the full report, “How to Build a Better Boss: What
Leaders (and Their Teams) Need Now to Thrive,” click here.
About PerceptyxPerceptyx is the Employee
Experience (EX) transformation company, providing enterprise-grade
employee listening, analytics, and behavioral science that
activates people and delivers business impact. More than 600 global
enterprises, including one-third of the Fortune 100, use
Perceptyx’s multi-channel employee listening, AI-powered
recommendations, and personalized coaching to close the loop
between insights and action. With an unrivaled technology platform
and an in-house team of EX Experts, Perceptyx makes it easy for
managers, HR executives, and business leaders to align their key
business and talent priorities and drive positive organizational
change.
Media Contact:Brianna BruinsmaFirebrand
Communicationsperceptyx@firebrand.marketing415 848 9175