Leadership Challenges for International Aid Organizations

BRUSSELS and LONDON, Nov. 23, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Aid and development organizations are experts at logistics and mobilization, but their impact is often limited by weak leadership capacity and communication problems, according to a new survey.

Leadership and Talent Development in International Humanitarian and Development Organizations, a report from the Center for Creative Leadership (CCL) and People In Aid, is based on interviews with organizations around the world. It gives a snapshot of  leadership and talent management issues within this important sector.

"The report is written in the words of the people who see the problems, face up to the issues and try to make their organizations a little better every day," says Rudi Plettinx, VP and Managing Director EMEA at the Center for Creative Leadership: "It reveals that they are already rethinking who they are and what they do in the face of global economic upheaval, wars and natural disasters."

Report findings include:

• Although technically sound, aid and development operations often struggle and fail because of "people issues." In other words, leadership is lacking, or concentrated in too few individuals with the wrong skills and training.
• The No. 1 failure of leadership at every level was lack of communication, including failure to have "courageous conversations" with poor performers.
• There was also an issue of too much communication facilitated by social networking media, making it difficult to convey accurate messages and prevent damaging rumours.
• Leadership recruitment and retention challenges were also top concerns.

"This moment in time is critical," warns Ben Emmens, People in Aid's Director of HR Services. "There is a closing window of opportunity for organizations to address leadership development in response to the uncertain economic outlook and a challenging operating environment."

Report available:

Center for Creative Leadership: http://www.ccl.org/leadership/capabilities/europe/index.aspx

People In Aid: www.peopleinaid.org/publications/leadershipandtalent.aspx

The Center for Creative Leadership (CCL®) is a top-ranked, global provider of executive education. Founded in 1970, CCL's mission is to advance the understanding, practice and development of leadership for the benefit of society worldwide. www.ccl.org

People In Aid is a non-profit, global network of more than 180 member organisations dedicated to improving organisational effectiveness within the humanitarian and development sector worldwide by advocating good practice in leadership and people management. www.peopleinaid.org

SOURCE Center for Creative Leadership