Work Life Management
Bad manager rising
So-called ‘accidental managers’ are driving purposeful employees bonkers
By Jason Walsh
E ver wonder how someone
The goal of the survey was to study the effect bad management can have on businesses, public services and wider economies. Results were based on conversations with more than 4,500 workers and managers. Poor
with inadequate management training and experience
Here are 4 key findings from the CMI management study
got promoted to being your supervisor? Turns out they might be wondering the exact same thing. A recent study by the UK- based Chartered Management Institute
management can result in
a variety of ill effects on a company— from heightened stress and decreased morale
• 18% of managers say they aren’t confident in their own leadership abilities • Male managers (22%) are more likely than women (15%) to say they have learned enough to be effective managers • Female managers are more likely to be in a post with no management qualifications (55%) than male managers (48%) • Managers with formal management training are more likely to feel confident in their management abilities (83%) than those who have none (71%)
(CMI) notes a proliferation of untrained managers are promoted into their positions despite lacking the qualifications to assume such leadership roles. According to CMI, the majority of these promotions are made because the person is good at their current job, is popular, or happens to be available to take charge. Nearly 82% of these new managers have not had any proper management or leadership training, or prior experience in such roles, the survey reported. The study found these “accidental managers” are often promoted for immaterial reasons, “with nearly half of managers surveyed (46%) believing colleagues won promotions based on internal relationship and profile, rather than their ability and performance.”
of staff to the creation of a toxic workplace. One survey
respondent, a middle manager in the public sector, said, “These untrained managers are damaging organizational culture, productivity, staff wellbeing and, as a result, the national economy.” Among the key findings in the study is that the impact of a bad manager can lead to staff resignations—half of workers who rated their manager as “ineffective” said they plan to leave their organization in the next 12 months.
16 NorthBaybiz
August 2025
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