Summary

In this episode of the Building Better Cultures podcast, Scott McInnes discusses the challenges faced by mid-management in organizations, drawing insights from the Mind the Gap research report. Guests Katy Lumsden and Neil O'Brien share their experiences and perspectives on the evolving roles of managers and leaders, the importance of culture, and the need for effective communication and training. The conversation highlights the significance of psychological safety, resilience, and the necessity for managers to engage in tough conversations while fostering a supportive environment.

Takeaways

• The mid-management layer faces unique challenges from both above and below.

• Commonalities in organizational challenges can provide reassurance and strength.

• Leadership and management roles are increasingly blurred in modern organizations.

• Managers need to be equipped with tools to foster culture and engagement.

• The say-do gap highlights discrepancies between senior leadership intentions and managerial actions.

• Tough conversations are essential for growth but often avoided due to fear.

• Psychological safety is misunderstood and misapplied in many organizations.

• Resilience in younger generations may differ from previous cohorts.

• Effective management requires understanding individual team members deeply.

• Training for managers should focus on practical skills for modern challenges.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Mind the Gap Research

05:04 The Role of Mid-Management

08:39 Leadership vs. Management

16:18 Culture Multipliers vs. Bottlenecks

21:58 Shifting Mindsets in Management

23:37 Navigating the Transition from Peer to Manager

29:42 The Importance of Role Modelling in Leadership

31:51 Addressing Difficult Conversations

38:47 Resilience in Leadership and Generational Differences

44:37 Skills for Modern Leadership in a Hybrid World

Mind the Gap Research: https://bit.ly/3WMlS4C

What People Get Wrong About Psychological Safety: https://hbr.org/2025/05/what-people-get-wrong-about-psychological-safety