Middle managers sit at the center of execution and influence, yet many lack clarity around expectations and how to succeed in the role. In this episode, one key takeaway is the importance of proactively asking your leader for alignment on priorities and success metrics. Another is learning how to balance being both a contributor and a coach without burning out or defaulting to micromanagement.

Today’s guest, Chris March, brings a global leadership perspective shaped by senior roles across the travel industry in London, Australia, and Canada. He shares why middle managers are critical to organizations and unpacks a surprising reality that many spend a significant portion of their time developing others while still being held accountable for performance. We explore how leaders can shift from telling to coaching, why active listening matters more than most realize, and how trust impacts the level of oversight required with team members.

The conversation also dives into relationships, both up and down the org chart. Chris explains how to support your team without crossing personal boundaries and how to advocate for your work with senior leaders without feeling like you are bragging. We also touch on generational differences in leadership, particularly what millennials and Gen Z value as they step into management roles, along with lessons learned from coaching across cultures.

To close, Chris offers practical guidance middle managers can act on immediately. Seek out one-on-one coaching to sharpen your leadership skills, practice active listening to empower your team to find their own solutions, and make your impact visible to your leaders. These small but intentional actions can significantly improve clarity, trust, and performance in the middle management role.

Follow Chris on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopherrmarch/

Visit Chris’s Website: https://chrismarchcoaching.com/

Links & Resources:

Follow Suken on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sukenjain/

Email Suken at: [email protected]

Synergy Sync Solutions Website: https://www.synergysyncsolutions.com/

This episode was brought to you by Pivot Ball Change.