Does your organisation hesitate when it comes to organising training for your managers? Is there an assumption that managerial skills will develop naturally over time? Or perhaps there’s a need to make some cost savings, and training drops down the priority list.
Unfortunately, postponing or cancelling management training can have profoundly negative consequences for your organisation. Here are six reasons why short-term savings can be costly in the long-term:
1. Prolonged skills gaps
One major impact of delaying management and leadership training is the prolonged existence of skills gaps. Managers who lack proper training may struggle with effective team management, conflict resolution and strategic planning. This can result in decreased productivity, low employee morale and higher turnover rates. Untrained managers may also unintentionally foster toxic work environments, leading to an increase in grievances, absenteeism and burnout.
Without formal training, managers are often left to rely on their instincts or past experiences, which may not align with best practices or the evolving needs of your organisation. This can also make it harder to maintain a consistent approach to decision-making and achieving organisational goals.
Did you know: most managers in the UK believe they are not up to the task of managing and feel overwhelmed and underequipped. Find out more.
2. Missed growth opportunities
The business environment is fast-paced and constantly evolving, with new technologies, methodologies and trends reshaping industries. Well-trained managers are better equipped to adapt to these changes and drive innovation, helping your organisation stay competitive.
Delaying training could also mean that managers fail to recognise and cultivate the potential of their team members. This can stifle crucial internal talent development, forcing the organisation to look outside for expertise that could have been nurtured in-house.
Discover six factors for business success.
3. Increased costs
Ineffective management can lead to inefficiencies, errors and missed deadlines, ultimately impacting the bottom line. In addition, recruiting and training new managers to replace those who’ve failed to develop or who have burnt out due to lack of training and support can involve significant costs.
Poorly trained managers may also lead to customer dissatisfaction or poor product quality, damaging your organisation’s reputation and requiring costly efforts to rebuild trust and client relationships.
4. Low employee engagement
Managers are key to fostering a positive work environment. Delayed training can result in poor leadership practices, which may lead to disengaged employees. When staff feel unsupported or undervalued, their productivity and commitment to the organisation can take a significant dip and staff turnover increases.
Investing in management training that focuses on emotional intelligence, communication skills and team motivation can significantly improve employee retention and satisfaction.
Discover five ways to elevate your emotional intelligence.
5. Stunted organisational culture
Training helps create and maintain a strong organisational culture. Without it, inconsistent leadership styles and unclear expectations can erode the organisation’s core values. Over time, this can result in a fragmented organisation where teams operate in silos, leading to miscommunication and reduced collaboration.
When culture is neglected due to a lack of leadership training, you risk fostering an environment where short-term thinking replaces long-term strategic vision, undermining innovation and growth.
6. Erosion of employee trust
Employees rely on their managers to guide them, provide clarity and resolve issues efficiently. When managers lack the proper training, they may falter in their decision-making or fail to support their teams adequately, leading employees to lose faith in their leadership.
Without trust, employees may be less likely to voice their concerns, share innovative ideas or collaborate effectively with others, ultimately affecting the overall success of the organisation.
Why train your managers?
Management training is a highly cost-effective investment in the ongoing success of your organisation. Don’t wait until it’s too late:
Discover our line management and senior management courses.
Find out how to get the results you want from your leadership and management and training.
