Research conducted over the past two years shows that UK managers are failing to demonstrate the leadership qualities employers and their team members want to see, according to the Chartered Management Institute.

It's reseach found that less than four in ten individuals claim to see the management and leadership qualities they expect in the workplace.

It identified three core characteristics to inspirational leadership including ‘genuine shared vision’ (79%), ‘real confidence and trust in teams’ (77%) and ‘respect for employees, colleagues and customers’ (73%). The lack of these management attributes were thought to affect employee motivation levels which, in turn, could impact on organisations performance.

Responding to this skills gap, the Institute’s has revised its Code of Professional Conduct and Practice, which outlines the key attributes managers’ need to be successful. It calls for individuals to ‘foster a culture of openness and transparency’ and to ‘communicate clearly, effectively and openly’. The code also requests that managers exhibit ‘mutual confidence and trust’, and to ‘respect matters of faith, conscience and diversity’ as well as ‘the customs, practices and reasonable ambitions of other’.

Jo Causon, director, marketing and corporate affairs at the Chartered Management Institute said: “In light of our research and the Leitch Review of Skills, it is clear that UK management and leadership abilities should be developed as a key priority to ensure UK operations remain globally competitive. Adopting the new Code will provide individuals with a framework of best practice management conduct with which to base their relationships and activities with colleagues.”

Research among Institute members prior to the launch of the new code revealed that the majority of managers (88%) would encourage its use within their own organisations. When asked about what should be included, integrity (79%), unlawful practices (68%) and personal accountability (67%) were cited as most important to management conduct and practice.

More information on the code of practice is available at: www.managers.org.uk/professionalpractice.