Australians disengaged at work due to poor leadership styles

Managers using the wrong leadership style are one of the key reasons that over 80 per cent of Australian workers feel disengaged from their jobs, a leadership expert said at the Recruitment and Consulting Services Associationís (RCSA) recent International Conference on the Gold Coast.

Dr Margaret Wheatley, an expert and thought leader on organisational structure and development, told recruitment business owners and managers at the Conference to engage their workers if they want to achieve real business success.

ìResearch shows that 82 per cent* of Australians feel disengaged in their workplace and are not contributing to their full potential,î Dr Margaret Wheatley, said.

ìThis is a direct consequence of imposing poor leadership styles such as the ëfollow me,í ëheroí or ëcommand and controlí type.

ìIt is also caused by a climate of stress and fear in the modern workplace and from treating people like machines,î she said.

Dr Wheatleyís motivational speech stressed the importance of bringing out other peopleís intelligence and believing in their ability if an organisation plans to move forward.

ìThe dominant response by leaders in times of turbulence is to ëcommand and controlí- people think they have to become strong, armed leaders to solve problems and progress.

ìIn fact a good leader is one that engages people, who listens and is willing to be disturbed and one who can work as a team,î she said.

Dr Margaret Wheatley is an internationally acclaimed speaker and writer and has been an organisational consultant and researcher since 1973. She is also President of The Berkana Institute, a global charitable leadership foundation and has worked for a range of clients across, corporate and government agencies, healthcare institutions, schools and the armed forces.

ìAs leaders of the industry, it is imperative that we constantly re-assess the way we run our businesses and empower our future managers in order to help move the industry forward, CEO of the RCSA, Julie Mills, said.

ìThe RCSA is pleased to have someone as knowledgeable as Dr Margaret Wheatley make this Conference all the more worthwhile,î she said.