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Study Reveals that Strong Relational Skills Give Leaders a Clear Advantage
Added: (Thu Jan 12 2006)
A new leadership study conducted by the Center for Creative Leadership reveals that the definition of effective leadership has changed. Eighty-five survey participants were asked to identify five of 16 skill categories (from CCL's Benchmarks 360 Instrument) that they believed would be most important in becoming an effective leader in 2 to 5 years. The results revealed a number of changes compared to the Benchmarks database taken in 2002, but one of the most noteable changes was the importance placed on what are referred to as "soft skills," such as relationship building and participative management.
According to CCL, "Leaders with the capacity to build relationships, collaborate and effectively lead change will be critical to the long-term success of organizations." Researcher, Andre Martin states, "Those who fulfill those [leadership] roles through collaboration, participative management and other relationship-based skills have an advantage and a more prominent seat at the table."
Dr. Todd Linaman, President of Relational Advantage, Inc., states, "The [CCL] findings are consistent with what we are seeing in our work with corporate clients. The executives and managers who are able to strengthen their interpersonal skills through executive coaching and interpersonal skills training are generally more satisfied and effective in their leadership role."
It has long been understood that strong "people skills" are a significant benefit to those responsible for leading and managing organizations. However, in recent years it has become even more evident that relationship-based skills help leaders to better manage change, retain high performing employees and build more cohesive teams resulting in greater productivity and profitability. The study conducted by CCL helps to provide additional tangible data to support this ongoing change in leadership effectiveness.
To find out more about executive coaching, training and other professional services designed to help leaders and managers strengthen relationship-based skills go to www.RelationalAdvantage.com.