Key DDI findings include:

Leaders are struggling to see purpose–Despite the fact that purpose plays a critical role in driving engagement and financial performance across the company, most employers are failing in translating purpose to leaders. While 90% of HR respondents say their company has a mission statement, only 28% say their company has one.
Coaching is in high demand–57% say they want more coaching from external coaches. Furthermore, half say they wish their manager would coach them more.
Failure is not an option–"Failing forward" has become a buzzword as employers are pressured to deliver greater innovation. But only 7% of leaders say that their organization greatly embraces failure in pursuit of innovation.
A lack of training in all things digital–While HR identified digital skills–including digital literacy, leading with digitalization, and leading virtual teams–as among the most important skills for leaders in the next three years, frontline leaders report that they are not very confident in their digital skills. As noted, help is is not happening, with digital skills are getting short shrift in most manager development programs.
Classrooms are still in demand–Technology and learning seem an inevitable pairing, yet 59% of leaders say they want more traditional classroom learning. Among millennials, it's higher, as 65% of whom said they wanted more formal workshops and seminars.

What can HR do to respond? DDI's Neal says one of the key ways HR can help alleviate stress for front-line leaders is to foster a coaching culture. She explains that half of leaders are looking for more coaching from their own bosses, so it's critical to train and encourage your mid and senior-level leaders to be strong coaches. In addition, leaders strongly desire coaching from outside sources, Neal says, so HR needs to make it a focus to set up external coaching relationships for front-line leaders, whether for general leadership advice or for specific areas of help, such as tech-related issues.

Here's How to Help Your Front Line Lead a Digital Transformation

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