Policy makers, organisations and individuals are struggling to adapt to the post recession economy but taking the time to assess your current position is central to the recovery process according to Ruth Spellman, CEO of Chartered Management Institute.

Fools rush in

‘The role of leaders and managers has never been more challenging than it is today’ and during these high pressured times leaders should take the time to learn from mistakes before taking the next big step according to Ruth Spellman author of Managers and leaders who can .

Spellman urges leaders to think, reflect and learn from past experiences as opposed to rushing in. ‘Most of us don’t have time to reflect ….in today’s busy, time-pressured environment’. However hasty decisions and thoughtless actions can lead to the downfall of both leaders and business.

In order for business to change and grow managers must consider the contributions of all stakeholders. ‘We can draw from people around us, on the senior level and in the marketplace but this requires the time to assimilate the information.’

Once again Spellman shows that good managers listen to the ideas and thoughts of others and take the time to assess and incorporate useful suggestions.

Similarly she believes that leading people successfully requires a combination of management and leaderships skills. ‘You’ve got to have those core disciplines like people management, risk management and financial management’. It is becoming more challenging for those in leadership positions to operate effectively without the necessary training or experience in these key areas, as Spellman says ‘it’s very hard to wing it’.

Ethics and values in business operations should not be overlooked in the current erratic economic climate. ‘Business can no longer get by with saying one thing and doing another’. According to Spellman ethics are central to the success of the business. During high pressured moments leaders may be tempted to abandon values but ‘when times get tough you need to hang on to your ethics and values’. For more practical advice and case studies watch Spellman’s interview as she explores the main issues affecting all managers and leaders including managing yourself, managing change and risk and business continuity.

---

Share this article