Power to the Middle: Why Managers Hold the Keys to the Future of Work

The term "middle manager" conjures up images of a bygone industrial age, but McKinsey thought leaders argue that this perspective needs to be reimagined and that middle managers are uniquely positioned to guide organizations through change and shape the new world of work. They emphasize the importance of strong people skills, challenging rules, and not promoting managers out of their jobs.

Format: Hardback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 18 July 2023
Publisher: Harvard Business Review Press

The term "middle manager" conjures up images of a bygone industrial era, where managers were mere cogs in a vast bureaucratic machine. However, in recent decades, midlevel managers have become a frequent target for layoffs, often being underappreciated and considered a superfluous layer within organizations. This outdated perspective needs to be challenged and transformed, as the future demands it. In their book "Power to the Middle," McKinsey thought leaders Bill Schaninger, Bryan Hancock, and Emily Field advocate for a radical reimagining of managers and their roles. They argue that middle managers are uniquely positioned, close to the ground but with a vital connection to company strategy, enabling them to guide their organizations through periods of rapid and complex change and shape the new world of work.

The authors vividly illustrate this profound shift in the workplace, showcasing how:
Managers are the key to winning the war for talent, which requires strong people skills to attract and retain the best talent.
Managers must shift from merely enforcing rules to challenging them, serving as critical checkpoints for ineffective or obsolete policies.
Crucially, good managers should not be promoted out of their roles. Instead, their title and compensation should reflect their high value and provide opportunities for advancement within their current roles.

"Power to the Middle" offers a groundbreaking new model for companies to revamp their hiring, training, and reward practices for midlevel managers. Through rich stories and cutting-edge research, the book provides valuable insights and strategies for organizations to harness the full potential of their most valuable asset. By empowering middle managers and recognizing their critical role in driving organizational success, companies can create a more agile, adaptable, and competitive workforce that is ready to face the challenges of the future.

Weight: 554g
Dimension: 166 x 241 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781647824853