Being in middle management is a tough job. Middle managers are also vital to the success of your business, translating the business goals and strategy into day to day activity and performance to reach those goals. 

Businesses with their middle managers in the top quartile of performance on average delivered 3 to 21 times more shareholder value than middle managers in the other quartiles. A massive reason to invest to make your middle managers more successful.

I share 4 vital ways to make your middle managers successful, each with practical tips of how to implement and get the best from your middle managers.

How to make middle managers more successful starts with be really clear about what you want from them. Explain very carefully the goals and invest time to ensure your middle managers understand the company strategy and how the company will achieve success. 

Make middle managers more effective by working with them to develop the projects and activities needed to implement the strategy of the business. They will appreciate your time and you will know more about what is happening in the business. Clarity of direction is very valuable – a perfect way to invest in the success of your middle managers.

Second, undertake management skills training with your middle managers. They will develop management skills a lot quicker, which means delivering more value quicker. Great news for the business and you. Develop their leadership skills through coaching and mentoring. Management is one of the few professions with little or no training given, yet managers are expected to perform and deliver great results. This is crazy. Getting management skills in business does not happen quickly by osmosis. 

Next provide responsibility and flexibility to your middle managers. If you drown you managers in rules, processes, administration and bureaucracy, how can they do a good job. Every person and situation they face will be slightly different. The real value of middle managers is their skills and knowledge and ability to effectively deal with a massive range of people issues – give them the right tools for success. Give them responsibility and flexibility. 

Finally, work at measuring success and accountability. Visibility increases accountability on its own. No-one wants to let colleagues and team members down or be bottom of the pile. Creating visibility and measuring success and accountability will give you the confidence to free up middle managers from rules and regulations. Cutting down the bureaucracy is a great way for how to help middle managers set teams up for success.

Successful teams = a successful business. Just what everyone wants!

If you have any questions on “4 Vital Ways To Make Your Middle Managers Successful”, please email me at [email protected]  and I will get back to you.

Jess Coles
Enhance.training