Leadership

Survey Finds More Trust in Execs Than Line Managers

By Jessica Stillman

Updated on: February 23, 2009 / 7:33 AM EST / MoneyWatch

The Find: Despite recent examples of glaring incompetence at the top of some companies, a survey of HR professionals finds much higher confidence in executives than in those on the lower rungs of the career ladder.
The Source: TalentWatch, Bersin & Associates' quarterly analysis of trends in corporate talent management and training.

The Takeaway: With venerable giants like GM and Chrysler and banks by the dozen on the brink of collapse, one would be forgiven for a lack of confidence in many CEOs right now. But when Bersin & Associates talked to HR executives in a wide spectrum of industries this winter, what they found wasn't frustration with the c-suite, but instead, "a startling lack of confidence in the ability of first-line managers, sales representatives, customer support representatives, and entry-level employees to successfully execute their jobs."
As an explanation for the findings, John Bersin, president of Bersin & Associates, cites the huge stress the troubled economy is placing on front-line employees:

The pressures and stresses of downsizing and reorganization are definitely felt most acutely at the bottom of the corporate ladder. Supervisors and first-line managers are typically thrown into situations for which they're ill prepared and required to make very difficult, often life-changing decisions about the people they manage.

For those interested in more detailed numbers, the complete report is currently available for free download.

The Question: Who's performing better in this economy line managers or execs?

(Image of trust sign by powerbooktrance, CC 2.0)