Just one in five UK workers think their boss has good communication skills, according to research from global executive search firm Korn/Ferry Whitehead Mann.

The research also shows UK workers rate communication skills as most important in a good business leader with team motivation skills ranked second. However, just 13% of employees think their boss is a good motivator.

Having a good moral compass also ranked highly, but just 14% of workers think their boss has integrity.

Tony Vardy, managing director, Korn/Ferry Whitehead Mann, says: “As a business that has been assessing and placing company bosses for over 40 years, we have a wealth of knowledge of what leaders need to be successful.

“However, our research shows that many employees think their boss doesn’t have the necessary leadership attributes. Our experience tells us that in reality most business leaders do have these qualities, certainly in large companies, but some demonstrate these more effectively to shareholders or the media than to their employees. The best company leaders succeed in proving their leadership characteristics to all stakeholders: shareholders, customers, the media, colleagues and employees alike.”