INTHEBLACK August 2025 - Magazine - Page 10
FAST FOCUS
Human skills matter most
Technology is reshaping the accounting and finance
industries, but human skills are in demand more than ever.
Results of the Hays 2025 Skills Report shows communication
and critical-thinking or problem-solving skills are highly
prized among hiring managers across the sector.
However, these skills are also among the top three
competencies that accounting and finance professionals
believe they need to improve. More than 90 per cent
say they need to elevate their communication skills,
89 per cent say they could improve their approach
to teamwork, and 86 per cent believe they need to
elevate their critical-thinking or problem-solving skills.
The discrepancy has been noted, with more than
85 per cent of hiring managers reporting a skills gap.
Read the report
Managers hold the key to productivity
Investing in employee engagement may deliver a sizable
return. Gallup’s 2025 State of the Global Workplace
report shows that if the world’s workplaces were fully
engaged, US$9.6 trillion (A$14.7 trillion) in productivity
could be added to the global economy.
The report shows managers may hold the key to
increased employee engagement. To achieve a global
productivity boom, here is what the report suggests.
1. Ensure all managers receive training to reduce
manager disengagement: Gallup’s research shows that
managers who receive training are more engaged than
those who are not trained.
10 INTHEBLACK August 2025
2. Teach managers effective coaching techniques:
Effective coaching on how to inspire and develop
employees was found to increase engagement
in both leaders and team members.
3. Increase manager wellbeing through ongoing
manager development: Gallup found that if managers
have training and someone at work who actively
encourages their development, manager engagement
increases even further.
Read the report
