UK workers champion ‘approachable’ leaders

UK workers have named approachability as their top trait in a chief executive, yet the majority have never met their company’s leader, according to new research.

In a survey of 800 employees by financial wellbeing firm Wagestream, 40 per cent felt that approachability was the most desirable CEO characteristic, although 55 per cent revealed that they had not yet met their boss.

Acting with integrity (36 per cent), being a good communicator (33 per cent) and leading by example (32 per cent) also scored highly. Seven in ten respondents felt that a CEO’S reputation is as important as employee satisfaction when looking for a new role.

Wagestream chief executive and co-founder Peter Briffett, said: “If CEOS want the backing of their workforce, they can’t afford to be helicoptering in and out of the day-today business, they need to be properly involved with their employees and take a genuine interest.”