Diversity of representation in public appointments
Research commissioned by the Government Equalities Office in June
2009 to explore attitudes, motivations and barriers for public
appointments. We conducted an online survey of Common Purpose
alumni who have been on civic leadership programmes in the last six
years.
This study was designed as a pilot to explore whether there are
issues that diverse groups who are currently under-represented on
the boards of public bodies are more likely to face. Download a PDF...
Navigating the new waters of national leadership
A report by Common Purpose into the expectations, challenges and
hurdles of making the leap to a national leadership role. Feedback
from many senior leaders suggests that nearly everyone fears that
they aren't up to the task at some point. To understand what it
takes to rise to the challenge, Common Purpose has asked a diverse
range of national leaders about their experience of making this
leadership leap. Download a
PDF...
Taming the wolf at the door
Squeezing the training and development budget: the cost of not
developing your staff in tough economic times. That issue is
explored in a new study which warns of the consequences of cutting
training and development budgets during an economic downturn. Our
report, Taming the Wolf at the Door, found that almost half of
training and development professionals surveyed are expecting a
budget cut of 20% or more. Download a PDF...
Time for a change?
Over half of young managers are dissatisfied with their jobs and
are considering change. These are the findings of our survey - we
wanted to discover if there are career traps and barriers limiting
junior managers and keeping them from fulfilling their potential as
leaders of tomorrow. The report found that professional development
could make their roles more fulfilling, but while nearly all had
received training, only a third found it rewarding in terms of job
fulfilment. Download a PDF...
Local links
Common Purpose piloted "Local Links" to improve neighbourhood
networking, support, skills development and information sharing for
local decision-makers and active citizens in four Yorkshire areas
in the UK. The aim was to assist them to be better informed,
empowered and more effective in their community roles. Download a
PDF...
Trusting times
Nearly half (49%) of managers also have a leadership position
outside of their paid jobs, according to our survey. Furthermore,
another 17 percent of those surveyed said they planned to take-up a
leadership role outside of work over the coming year. Becoming a
school governor, sitting on a public board, becoming a special
constable, being volunteer councillor or getting involved in a
community campaign are just some of the ways leaders are giving
something back. Download a PDF...
Managers scared to manage
Each week contestants on The Apprentice have to summon the courage
to lead their team on a challenge that they have little or no
skills. To be successful in the modern world of management this
kind of dogged determination is essential. So why then do the
majority of managers admit to regularly dodging daunting
challenges?
These are the main findings of our report, called "Causes and
cures for timid management". Download a PDF...
Is there such a thing as a "Quarter-life crisis"?
Young people between the ages of 25-35 are in danger of being
caught in a career trap and are leaving their jobs in pursuit of
more fulfilling work. Debt, difficulties in combining work with
their wider life ambitions and employers who fail to listen are
cited as key reasons, according to our research. The report,
Searching for Something, shows that the danger age when employers
can lose their most talented young employees is 30. Download a PDF...
