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Middle managers are the key to success
02-Jun-2011
A study published by Wharton University
shows that leaders need to pay closer attention to getting the right
middle managers. The front line supervisor has a greater impact on
company performance than any other role.
The study focused on companies in knowledge industries like computer
games, software, consulting, biotech and marketing. These emerging
industries rely more on knowledge and innovation, than on process and
assembly lines.
Contrary to common belief, it is not the highly-skilled creative
individuals who make the biggest difference in these knowledge
industries, nor it is the CEO. In fact, it is the abilities of the
middle managers which has the largest impact on company performance.
This stems from the key role that middle managers play in project
management and supervision of deadlines. For sure, this is not the most
glamorous side of business, but it is where the key to higher
performance lies. Middle managers coordinate the work of others and
play a key role in fostering innovative and creative team environments.
Unfortunately when companies downsize, the much-maligned middle
management roles are usually the first to go. This is a mistake.
The study also followed talented middle managers who switched employers
and found they had a profound impact on performance in their new firm.
Their transferable skills are useful anywhere. It is clear that
companies need to pay more attention to getting the right people in
middle management roles and rewarding them appropriately.
We’ve probably all experienced working for bad middle managers – like
the ones you see in the Dilbert cartoons – but that is the fault of the
company for not hiring the right people to fill these critical roles in
the first place, and not providing them with appropriate training in how
to effectively manage their people.
While the business media loves to make heroes out of the top leadership,
interestingly, the impact of CEO’s and other top level executives
accounts for less than 5% of the variation in performance between
firms. Yes, the top leaders set the strategic direction and the overall
tone of how the company is run - but it seems they account for
relatively little of why some companies perform better than others.
Middle managers have a tough job. They are the meat in the sandwich.
They have to execute the strategic direction of the company, and
implement change – even if it may be unpopular with their people. They
manage a finite set of resources. They have boundaries to the types of
decisions they can make. They have to make sure information flows up
and down the company. But, ultimately they are the ones who make sure
the company achieves its goals.
As our RESULTS.com CEO Ben Ridler says, “Getting the right front line
managers in place is critical to success. When it comes to managers, I
have 2 jobs; I’m either coaching and developing the manager, or I’m
looking for their replacement.”
How effective are your front line managers?
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34531334269947::RESULTS.com | The Missing 98%
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| Date | 21-May-2012 |
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