More in the Middle
-- Focusing leadership development on your middle Managers

Why the Focus on Development of Middle Managers

Life Work & Politics; at the centre of our machine is the Middle Manager making it happen. Yet, most of us focus our attention on development of senior leadership and/or line staff, with the middle layer getting not much more than ignored. 

Studies have shown that this large group of potential leaders and entrepreneurs will determine a business' success or failure.  A weak or non-functional middle management could be the demise of your company. A strong and prepared middle manager will guarantee growth and profitability of any entity.

The projected retirement rates for 2020 show a significant increase in the Middle Management sector – this will cause a vacuum in the ranks of middle management. If we expect our organizations to thrive; to compete and develop, we must figure out how to devote our development attention to the middle.

Who Are the Middle Managers of Enterprise?

Middle managers are the hub of enterprise; the players responsible for delivering organizational results. They manage people, budgets, operational processes, and support senior management's strategic initiatives. Middle managers face unique challenges and responsibilities including:

• A workforce whose skills and desires are not necessarily aligned with management objectives;
• Organizational objectives that cannot be implemented with current processes and supporting technology; and
• Strategic goals that seem to contradict one another, for example: "cut overhead costs" and "reduce turnover of high performers". 

Yet, until recently, little, if any, development attention was devoted to them. Today, high-impact organizations are recognizing the invaluable contributions of the middle layer, and the risk they face in a shallow pool of ill-prepared middle managers, and are committing to their development. Similarly, mid-level leaders themselves are taking matters into their own hands and charting their own course for leadership development.   And finally, leadership development providers are doing the same.

Value of Investing in Middle Managers

Development and performance of middle managers are not just nice-to-do’s.  The investment provides expected increases in the bottom line.  Organizations that focus on developing their middle managers – specifically, in the areas of communications, managing change, and coaching --- can expect improved impact on their engagement, retention and teamwork.

Mid-level managers are critically important to your organization’s success.  As organizations restructure and flatten today, more so than ever, they need to invest in the development of their middle managers. Furthermore, because of the loss of loyalty or trust, many middle managers don’t feel compelled to stay at an organization even though they may have been there for years. If the organization is not willing to make a development investment in them, they’re more willing to look outside.

Furthermore, helping middle managers to set and manage their performance goals is a critical step in the process.

Development Solutions for Middle Managers

Jacqueline Coke-Lloyd, Managing Director of Make Your Mark Consultants; former CEO of the Jamaica Employers’ Federation has developed an initiative; to address the needs of organizations and the middle managers' significant role in adding value. The annual Make Your Mark conference will be held this year over 2 days at the Jamaica Pegasus on April 27-28, 2011. 

Middle managers represents the largest management group in Jamaica making them the hub of the organization; Make Your Mark Consultants are inviting all Managers, Supervisors, Middle Managers, Aspiring Managers, S.M.E Managers, Store Managers, N.G.O Managers, Acting Personnel and persons preparing for promotion.  The conference will be holding session in various areas over the two days:

Conference Sessions include:

• Making the case for Investment in your Department
• Communication Strategies that Work!
• Effective Interface with Other Departments
• Understanding Fiscal Prudence and Business Budgeting
• Taking you to the Top with those Presentation Skills
• Your Role as the Hub of Enterprise
• Continuous Improvement: a Team Approach for Enhancing Workplace Productivity
• The Role of Middle Management in Unionized Environments
• Social Professional Etiquette for You and Your Organization
• New Trends in Project Management
• Managing and Planning Change with Limited Resources
• Women & Men in Leadership
• Ten Signs that your Performance Management System might need a Makeover

Presenters Include:

For more information email Make Your Mark Consultants at: info@makeyourmarkconsultants.com