Most senior management lack essential leadership qualities and require training to bring them up to speed, according to new research from the Institute of Leadership & Management (ILM).

The research shows that 94% of respondents believe their senior management lack essential leadership qualities and require development in these areas.

The research also reveals that the ability to motivate (36%) and emotional intelligence (34%) are viewed as the most important characteristics for effective leaders, while 24% of employers  look for candidates who have experienced failure and bounced back from difficult challenges when choosing a leader.

Penny de Valk, chief executive of ILM, says: “Our research shows the value employers place on experiencing failure. A path of unbroken success on your CV suggests a manager hasn’t really been tested. But failure is not something we’re particularly comfortable with in the UK, it is not seen as a rite of passage.

“It is also a real concern that such a high proportion of HR professionals believe their senior teams are falling short. This leadership skills gap is holding UK businesses back. We need to get better at developing these essential people leadership capabilities, such as the ability to motivate, alongside the ‘harder’ technical, professional and commercial skills.”