Study Uncovers "Management Misery Syndrome" in Midlands High Flyers
Posted on 03 November 2009
Midland's business coach Martin Dobbs has warned that the region's business leaders have their work cut out simply trying to enjoy their jobs.
A survey by Martin's organisation revealed nearly 64% per cent of those quizzed in the region - owners of small to medium sized businesses -- claimed to be "predominantly dissatisfied" with their professional life.
And climbers of the career ladder should beware - more than 58% per cent of those in management positions admitted they had been happier in lower-ranking posts, according to a nationwide survey.
The underlying reason for the "Management Misery Syndrome" was the increased stress levels, with 69% per cent confessing to feeling under pressure "most of the time."
Politics and employee relationships were major triggers, although longer working hours and a lack of support and appreciation were also identified as problem areas.
Nationally, male managers were the most miserable, with 72 per cent admitting to feeling "significantly" stressed, compared to 64 per cent of their female counterparts.
Overall, the least content bosses were in London and the South East, while the Midlands was home to the happiest and East Anglian-based bosses believe they have the best working relationships with their staff.
The online survey of 1,320 small and medium sized business owners, was carried out by Ology, a nationwide network of business coaches.
Said Ology coach Martin Dobbs: "These findings show a worryingly high level of dissatisfaction among management today. "As companies grow, the roles and responsibilities of the managers inside them change and not everyone is prepared for this.
BUSINESS SURVEY 2
"People can find themselves further and further removed from the parts of the job that they originally enjoyed… In a nutshell, they end up spending more and more time working in the business, but no time working on it, questioning how it's developing". "Without proper planning, you can find yourself in a situation where there's a huge gap between your dream for the business and the reality."
Ology business coaches provide expert third party support based on a process of diagnosing problems, profiling behaviour and identifying the challenges. And the concept is working.
COULD LICENSING BE THE ANSWER?
Business coaching is a boom industry in the UK and experts predict 2010 will be the busiest ever. Ology, Britain's fastest growing Business Coaching organisation, will double in size with a target of 25 coaches by the end of the year. Martin added: "We're all about delivering tangible results - whether a client has problems increasing turnover and bottom line profits or recruiting the right staff.
"More and more people in management positions are looking outside the business for an objective view on how to put it right.
[Return to our business coaching news index page]