In cricket, middle order batters are considered to be the core and core is strength.
The world of management is also not far different from the world of cricket. In management also, middle is the core – that stabilizes and controls any system of management order. Apart from being the core, middle managers are also the layer which balances the fundamentals of management – Control and Confrontation. Management is all about planning, organizing, implementation and control. Where there is control, there is confrontation – overt or covert. Middle managers are shock absorbers who absorb the tremors from top and bottom layers in their cushion of resilience, competence, and sense of role.
As we stand on the cusp of a new era of business dynamics, where the pace of change is relentless, and the demands for innovation are ever-increasing, the role of middle management becomes even more central. It is incumbent upon top executives to harness the rich reservoir of insights, experience, and capabilities that middle management brings to the table, fostering strategies that are not only robust but also deeply rooted in the operational realities of the business. How does engaging the middle layer help? Let’s look at 4 outcomes, particularly in the context of organizational strategy and it’s execution.
- Succession Planning
By engaging middle management in strategy formulation an organization serves a dual purpose: enhancing strategy efficacy and acting as a crucible for enterprise-level succession planning. The middle layer is essentially the leadership incubator for future top management roles. By actively involving them in strategy formulation, they acquire a nuanced understanding of organizational dynamics and develop strategic thinking capabilities which is essential in nurturing competent and adept leaders for the future. It is noteworthy that many leadership development programs in India and Asia actually help in developing and nurturing competencies at the middle level.
- Execution Excellence
The top management, despite their expertise, cannot match the execution prowess of middle management. Positioned closer to the operational epicenter, middle managers harbor a nuanced understanding of the challenges and opportunities present at the ground level. Their ability to tailor execution strategies to suit the specific needs of their units enhances the effectiveness of strategy implementation, fostering a culture of adaptability and responsiveness.
- Flaws manifestation
An active involvement of top management in strategy execution, although necessary, should be approached with caution. Overemphasis on their role in the execution phase might signal underlying organizational flaws. It could indicate a lack of trust in middle management’s capabilities or a failure to delegate responsibilities efficiently. Such scenarios can lead to operational bottlenecks and inefficiencies, impeding the smooth transition from strategy formulation to execution.
- Derailment prevention
To foster a resilient organizational structure, it is imperative to identify and mitigate potential enterprise derailment factors early on. These factors might encompass strategy-culture misalignment, inadequate communication and collaboration channels, resistance to change within the workforce, insufficient resources allocated for strategy implementation, and an inability to adapt to changing market dynamics and customer preferences. Recognizing these factors early allows organizations to initiate corrective actions to avert potential derailments, ensuring a smooth and successful strategy implementation.
In fostering a culture of collaboration and inclusivity, top executives can facilitate a seamless flow of knowledge and insights across organizational levels, nurturing a dynamic and adaptive strategy formulation process.
Through the adoption of a collaborative approach that bridges the hierarchical divide, organizations can navigate the complexities of the modern business landscape with greater agility and foresight. In doing so, they carve a path of sustained growth and success, positioning themselves as resilient, adaptable entities in a fiercely competitive business arena. By championing the active involvement of middle management in strategy formulation, organizations not only enhance the richness and applicability of their strategies but also foster a nurturing ground for the development of future leaders, ensuring continuity in vision and leadership. Several leadership development programs in India and Asia features key competencies that middle managers need to develop. Additionally, many times, top leaders undergo leadership coaching to develop the skill of facilitating the above mentioned seamless flow. Finally, Growthsqapes, through it’s world-class leadership development training programs in India and Asia, is ably positioned to develop the middle managers.
This blog has been written by Satyakki Bhattacharjee, the Managing Partner at Growthsqapes.