Thirty-six per cent of workers believe their organization’s reputation and performance have improved over the past 12 months, according to a study by human resource consulting firm Kenexa. The report, which surveyed employees in six countries including Brazil, China, Germany, India, the United Kingdom and the United States, links leadership quality and a positive perception of the company by employees. Without overestimating the importance of quality leadership, the study shows that teams that win over the long term are those guided by good leaders who see their troops as a source of strength and ideas.
Across all six countries, employees who said their company’s reputation and performance have improved also have more favourable opinions of their senior management. Most of them consider that their senior managers show employees are important to the success of the company. They believe that good human resource managers involve their staff in the challenges facing the company and provide employees with a clear picture of the company’s direction. Finally, these employees believe that senior management supports and practices high standards of ethical conduct and is more trustworthy.
For all employees studied, a strong reputation and good performance have a favourable impact on their degree of pride in the organization, their desire to recommend it and their overall job satisfaction. They also have greater confidence in the company’s future and are less likely to mention an intention to leave.
The study also reveals certain disparities between the various countries. Chinese workers are more likely to say that their company’s reputation and performance are improving (50%) than those in the U.K. (12%). The analysis does not say whether one should conclude that managers are more effective in China than in the U.K. . .