The vast majority of UK business leaders believe their role has become significantly more complex in the past six years amid the rise of AI and rapidly changing risks and opportunities.
As many as 73% of senior decision-makings within UK businesses feel that their roles have become more complex since 2020, according to a study by Alliance Manchester Business School (AMBS).
In its survey of 500 managers, directors and C-suite executives in UK businesses, it found that the emergence of new technologies, most notably AI, was the main reason for their jobs becoming harder, with 31% of respondents citing this.
Other key factors mentioned was an increased cybersecurity and data privacy risk, mentioned by 28% of respondents and the wider performance of the UK economy as well as new regulation and legislation, both of which were said by 27%.
“Over recent years, significant new pressures have been placed on business leaders, and evidently this has translated into the vast majority feeling as though their roles have become far more complex,” said AMBS managing director of executive education Stuart Wells.
“The rise of remote working since Covid, the proliferation of AI tools, scrutiny over DEI, cyber threats and data privacy, and turbulence within the broader economic climate – senior decision-makers are needing to navigate all these changes as they lead their teams and perform in their roles, and that is hugely challenging.”
Wells said that regardless of a managers experience or competence, those in leadership roles are in need of greater support, whether in the form of additional formal training or peer-to-peer learning.
“It is imperative that organisations consider which issues are impacting their leadership team and take action to ensure individuals are suitably equipped to lead effectively in this rapidly changing business world.”
