Do senior-level executives need to improve their leadership skills? Two-thirds of companies think so. In all, more than half agree that senior management needs to sharpen their strategic thinking and communications abilities. So says a survey by ClearRock, an outplacement and executive coaching firm headquartered in Boston.

"Companies want their senior-level executives to succeed in a more intensely competitive environment,” says Annie Stevens, managing partner for ClearRock. “Employers are hiring outside coaches to help senior managers further develop their leadership, strategic thinking, communications, motivational and employee engagement skills to better run the business side while keeping employees engaged in their jobs in a tough economy.”

Almost half of companies say senior managers must improve their team-building, vision. However, employers are supplying their senior-level management with plenty of help, including outside and in-house coaching and training.  Three-quarters of surveyed companies provide their senior-level leaders with outside coaching; almost half give them outside training and education, and about 4 in 10 coach them within the organization.

"Strategic thinking is critical in determining how to best capitalize on business conditions and differentiate from the competition,” says Greg Gostanian, managing partner for ClearRock. “Communications skills are essential to building teamwork and engaging, motivating, and managing others. Leadership strengths enable leaders to tie everything together and move the organization forward.”