BE GREAT LLC Research Enables New Insights On Frontline Manager Effectiveness
The paper titled “Leadership among Front-Line Managers: What are the Leadership Competencies desired by Front-Line Employees?” was presented at the International Research Conference in Asia held in at the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad India. The paper was co-authored by John Rovens, CEO of BE GREAT LLC; Andrew Rovens, COO of BE GREAT LLC; Darlene Russ-Eft, Professor of Adult and Higher Education at Oregon State University; and Laura Boehme, a doctoral student at Oregon State University.
The paper, presented by Professor Russ-Eft, PhD, discussed leadership among front-line managers (FLM) with specific emphasis on the issue of what leadership competencies are desired by front-line employees. It elaborated on the critical role of front-line managers within their organizations as the individuals who oversee the day-to-day operations and develop their employees. The literature review revealed that little research has been done on FLM performance, as viewed by their subordinates. The findings indicated that employees want more effective leadership from these managers in specific leadership competency areas such as coaching, communication, teambuilding, and recognizing achievements. Furthermore, employees desired managers to focus on granting them more autonomy and setting clearer expectations.
Recommendations and implications of this study outline the leadership competencies desired of these front-line managers and provide training and development recommendations to improve front-line manager and front-line employee effectiveness and performance.
