Companies concerned about losing leaders to competition

Also doubt strength of internal pipelines: Survey

More than one-half of employers worldwide are convinced other companies are looking to hire their top people, according to a survey by Right Management, the workforce consulting group of ManpowerGroup.

When asked if other organizations are actively trying to recruit their leaders, 13 per cent of 1,439 CEOs and HR professionals surveyed strongly agreed. Almost one-half (43 per cent) agreed while only 11 per cent disagreed and four per cent strongly disagreed.

“As aggressive competition becomes increasingly adept at replicating products, services, operating models and marketing strategies and worldwide demand for certain skills sets rises, senior and operational leaders are realizing that talent is the last remaining source of competitive advantage. So, it is no surprise that there’s a global war being waged for talent,” said Michael Haid, senior vice-president of talent management at Right Management.

“No organization today is immune from the stresses of effective retention or competitive recruitment. CEOs and HR staffs are right to feel enormously vulnerable and many are stressed seeking ways to hold onto their rising leadership.”

Respondents were not necessarily positive about their own leadership pipelines. Nearly one-half (47 per cent) expressed doubts about the strength of their middle-level pipeline while 27 per cent said their company had a sufficient number of qualified internal candidates who are ready to assume senior manager or executive positions.

Latest stories