Middle management has a lot of stereotypes thanks to pop culture.
From misconceptions of what middle management is about to cartoons, like Dilbert and shows like The Office, showing work-related blunders – they depict that middle management is up in flames for the most part but it’s not all bad.
According to 10 Tips to Succeed in Middle Management, middle management is where many people are in the thick of their careers on this professional proving ground – and that much more will remain there for the duration of their careers.
“Because the truth is, most of us are in middle management and always will be. So, rather than languishing in it — which only bolsters the lousy reputation — lean into it,” according to the article.
Author Scott Mautz had a two-decade career in middle management at The Procter & Gamble Company. He currently writes for Inc. Magazine, and wrote in a new book, Leading from the Middle: A Playbook for Managers to Influence Up, Down, and Across the Organization.
Here are some of his tips:
How do you Come Across to Your Boss?
- When speaking to your boss and you have to talk to them about something they did wrong, it’s all in the approach. Mautz suggests that it’s best to always discuss intent before content. He suggests that employees preface the content of their disagreement with your intent in sharing it. “That way they know the disagreement is coming from a place of respect and desire for mutual success, as opposed to a result of animosity or desire to see the boss fail.”
Giving Feedback to the Masses
- When giving feedback to employees it is important to give specific feedback without being generic and “bland,” along with options for how to correct it. “Telling someone they’re too analytical isn’t actionable,” according to the story. Giving specific reasons for what they did good and not so good is helpful. “You probably spent too much time and effort analyzing the ABC project and as a result, most of what you did never even got shared with management because it wasn’t very helpful.”
Make it Count
- When correcting employees and helping people better themselves it’s helpful to think in proportion: For every piece of constructive criticism, people want five pieces of positive feedback. Although that is not always realistic, it can be helpful to take the compliment sandwich approach: where there is a compliment, constructive feedback, and a compliment.
How to Manage Throughout the Organization
- When attempting to sway peers, and others, who you might not directly manage, think about the people in your work realm who have influenced you the most, according to the article. Even if these same people have no direct authority over you, Scott says these individuals more than likely did one of the following things:
- Cared about you and showed it
- Listened to you at crucial periods
- Gave or taught you something
As a middle manager, or even on your journey toward becoming C-suite professionals, investing in employees and fellow coworkers in this manner can go a long way. When people see that you are invested in them, they can typically trust you more and respect you more, which is an open invitation to following your advice and leadership – even if they’re not obligated to. That’s doing middle management right.
For more information visit scottmautz.com.
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