Creating a culture of support for managers

Creating a culture of support for all employees is important. However, supporting employees in leadership and management roles will largely depend on the outlook taken by the board. From professional and educational to mental health support, a supportive organisation is one in which staff at all levels of seniority can flourish professionally, perform exceptionally, and champion transparency to create a safe working environment and a supportive work culture. Why is a culture of support essential for business managers? Leadership staff at the governing ranks of a business are responsible for shaping work culture top down, but to be able to do this with integrity, it must first take root at the highest levels of the business. Management staff must be supported throughout their climb to the top, right from the moment of entering the business to reaching their end destination. As the 'Great Resignation' accelerated by the pandemic underlines the importance of working in a professional environment that’s fulfilling and values the needs of individuals, a supportive environment can help retain staff and build loyalty. The board must play their part in establishing a vision, inspiring values, and tending to the overall commercial needs of the business. As board interactions will be with other board members and company directors, the control of internal control systems will be delegated to management staff, such as building a supportive work environment. To achieve this, a combination of factors must be carefully considered, which Paul Williamson of Selling My Business, an experienced business transfer agent, explains. Humanising the business Businesses born out of dedication and commitment can often be trapped in corporate shells after reaching the height of success and experiencing steady growth. Sharing the birth story of the business, including the struggles and triumphs, will help humanise the company in the eyes of staff. Incorporating operational transparency Building a transparent bridge between staff at all management levels will incorporate transparency and establish a true sense of unity. According to the job review site, Glassdoor, a transparent workplace is ‘an organisation that operates in a way that creates openness between managers and employees. A workplace that values transparency empowers staff, imparts knowledge, and encourages open conversations. Professional certificate: The board’s role in organisational culture Offering enrichment opportunities The definition of enrichment in this context is injecting added value into the working lives of staff to improve their experience, increase satisfaction, and enhance the quality of work life. Staff can feel supported by creating an employee-first environment and investing in talent through personal development or providing training opportunities. Supporting mental health and financial well-being Mental health in the workplace is directly linked with job satisfaction and productivity. According to the Mental Health Foundation, addressing well-being at work increases productivity by as much as 12% from showing compassion and supporting the workforce. The latest health and well-being survey from the CIPD (Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development), the professional body for HR and people development, found that more employers are stepping up to provide mental health and well-being support in light of the coronavirus pandemic. Most organisations are taking additional measures to support employee health and well-being in response to COVID-19, most commonly through: providing more tailored support to address individuals’ needs and concerns (81%) an increased focus on employees’ mental health (81%) new or better support for people working from home (72%) providing support in the form of employee assistance programmes, a phased return to work, other reasonable adjustments, or access to counselling services The cost of living crisis is the latest challenge employees are battling, which many workplaces must strive to support employees through. Businesses can establish a secure work environment where staff feel supported by stripping away unnecessary bureaucracy and replacing this with transparency and the human touch. Strong ESG creates a happier workforce A strong ESG empowers workers to contribute beyond their scope of duties, leaving a lasting positive impact. Therefore ESG is an influential factor that improves overall employee satisfaction and retention. Companies with established ESG progress will likely attract prospective talents and an undisrupted flow/succession of talented people.

Rapidly acquire the skills and knowledge you need to lead.

Diploma in Corporate Governance

Certified Corporate Governance Professional

Certified Company Secretary Professional

Certified ESG Professional

ESG Strategy and Governance

Company Secretary

Overview of Corporate Governance

AI Governance

CSRD Reporting

Go Further With Membership

Join the largest global educator of university credit-rated and qualified directors in corporate governance.

University partnership

Attend online and in-person events to get the practical skills and insights you need to make an impact as a leader.

Webinars

Masterclasses

Information sessions

Webinars

Insightful and thought-provoking content to help you become a great board director.

eBooks

Case studies

Guides

Interviews

Lexicon

News analysis

Member spotlight

Thought leadership

Podcasts

Stay Relevant With Membership

Creating a culture of support for managers

About this author

Insights on leadership

Related Posts

Rapidly acquire the skills and knowledge you need to lead.

Diploma in Corporate Governance

Certified Corporate Governance Professional

Certified Company Secretary Professional

Certified ESG Professional

ESG Strategy and Governance

Company Secretary

Overview of Corporate Governance

AI Governance

CSRD Reporting

Go Further With Membership

Join the largest global educator of university credit-rated and qualified directors in corporate governance.

University partnership

Attend online and in-person events to get the practical skills and insights you need to make an impact as a leader.

Webinars

Masterclasses

Information sessions

Webinars

Insightful and thought-provoking content to help you become a great board director.

eBooks

Case studies

Guides

Interviews

Lexicon

News analysis

Member spotlight

Thought leadership

Podcasts

Stay Relevant With Membership

Creating a culture of support for managers

About this author

Insights on leadership

Currently trending

Related Posts

Linking strategy, risk and remuneration

Common governance reporting pitfalls (and fixes)

UK Corporate Governance Code 2026: What boards must do this year