Power to the Middle: Why Managers Hold the Keys to the Future of Work by Bill Schaninger, Bryan Hancock and Emily Field.
Bill holds a PhD in Management from Auburn University. He is a Senior Partner Emeritus at McKinsey focusing on organizational culture and change. Bryan holds a JD from Harvard University and is a Partner at McKinsey specializing in talent management and organizational development. Emily holds a BA in Political Science from Georgetown University and is a Partner at McKinsey focusing on data-driven organizational strategies.
Power to the Middle is one of the best books to read if you’re organization is even thinking of cutting midlevel managers in the new world of work. The real goal is to help leadership understand “Middle manager” in a post pandemic, AI driven world. The term is from our industrial era.
Yet Bill, Brian and Emily certainly reveals how this outdated term needs to change as our digital future demands it. They are also revealing how middle managers are closer to your workforce, and understand how to link them to your company strategy while also having the skillsets to engage your senior leadership.
Focus on the middle
They really advocate for empowering middle managers regardless of organizational markets to challenge outdated practices within your organization. This can indeed lead to more agile and responsive work environments which is key now more than ever before. They even propose that successful middle managers should not be promoted out of their roles, but rather recognized and provided pathways for advancement within their positions.
I would also recommend HBR’s 10 Must Reads on Leading Digital Transformation:
In conclusion, this is a wonderful read and a must have for senior leaders to absorb in order to understand the value of your middle managers. Without them many realize your organization will struggle. Today there is little room for error, so embrace your middle managers and together your organization can thrive. A true must read.