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But room for improvement when it comes to innovation

Scottish workers think their bosses are courageous, according to a new study from University of Edinburgh Business School.

In a survey of more than 500 Scottish employees, 63% said their bosses acted with courage in their day to day management and decision making.

Close to three-quarters (71%) also thought their managers were resourceful, while 58% said their boss was adaptable.

However just 28% said their managers had experience working outside the UK, and less than half (49%) thought they had enough experience to manage a crisis.

Close to two-thirds (65%) said their managers were good at financial management, less than half (44.8%) thought they were innovative enough.

Almost (18%) thought their boss lacked people management skills, while 15% said their communication could be improved. Meanwhile one in ten thought their manager lacked empathy.

Professors Susan Murphy and Richard Harrison from the Business School’s Centre for Strategic Leadership led the research. Professor Harrison said:

“Judged on these results, Scotland’s workforce has a great deal of faith in its leaders which will come as good news for many organisations.

“However, it also shows the nation’s bosses have room for improvement when it comes to their responsiveness and creativity – with many identifying the need to gain experience outside the UK as a priority.

“With the challenges of leadership becoming more complex each and every day, our findings suggest Scottish managers could learn valuable lessons from their workforce to become more competitive and future-oriented in their approach.”