Work-life balance may stop future business leaders stepping up - University of Limerick study

EMPLOYEES are reluctant to step up to senior leadership roles over concerns over their work-life balance.

That's according to research led by the University of Limerick (UL) Kemmy Business School.

The research found approximately one-third of employees will never step up to a senior leadership position – despite believing they have the requisite skills and ambition to do so.

Concern around work-life balance was cited as the number one reason why this is the case.

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The study of more than 550 professionals also found that the concept of work-life balance has become less gendered than before, with men in the workplace now as concerned about family life, health and wellbeing as their female counterparts.

Participants expressed apprehension around the “dark side of leadership” – perceived organisational risk as well as politics and conflict, especially at the leadership table.

Seven in 10 believe answering the call to lead is “risky” due to concerns around the professional, reputational and personal risk they will inherit.

And, 90% believe they will ‘rise or fall’ based on their team’s performance, there was a shared belief that life at the senior leadership table is “unbearably stressful, political, risky, lonely and unhealthy”.

The report also outlines how organisations can support future leaders to advance into senior roles.

Also highlighted is the responsibility of organisations in supporting their employees’ ambitions as best they can – and ensuring organisational barriers don’t disable these ambitions – to enable successful transition into leadership while also nurturing those who are not quite ready yet.

Professor Finbarr Murphy, executive Dean of UL’s Kemmy Business School, said: “This research is an important piece of the picture in understanding the criticality of leadership today. Moreover, it ensures Kemmy Business School can respond with Executive and Professional Education upskilling in key spaces – supporting Business Leaders where they need it most, in the ways they feel work best.”

Sarah Kieran, assistant Dean, executive and professional education at Kemmy Business School added: "The decision to step up to lead should be more exciting than daunting. Future leaders should feel ready and willing, but that is not always the case. Understanding why some people feel ready and others do not, why some know they can do the job but chose not to right now (or not yet) is important for Ireland and its international competitive positioning. The need to rethink leadership sits at the leadership table, and time is of the essence.”

The study was launched this Thursday at an event hosted by ICBE Business Excellence Skillnet and the Kemmy Business School, UL in the Radisson Blu Hotel in Limerick.