Power to the Middle: Why Managers Hold the Keys to the Future of Work
If you're thinking of cutting your midlevel managers in the new world of work, think again.
"Middle manager." The term evokes a bygone industrial era in which managers functioned like cogs in a vast bureaucratic machine. In recent decades, midlevel managers became a favorite target for the chopping block--underappreciated, often considered a superfluous layer of the organization.
Not only does this outdated perspective need to change, but the future demands it. In Power to the Middle, McKinsey thought leaders Bill Schaninger, Bryan Hancock, and Emily Field call for a profound reimagining of managers and their roles. They explain how middle managers are uniquely positioned close to the ground but with a crucial connection to company strategy, enabling them to guide their organizations through periods of rapid and complex change, as well as to help shape the new world of work.
The authors compellingly illustrate this deep shift in the workplace, showing 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 stopgaps for rules that are ineffective or obsolete.
- Crucially, good managers must not be promoted out of their jobs. Instead, their title and compensation should reflect their high value and allow them to advance within their roles.
With rich stories and cutting-edge research, Power to the Middle offers a new model for companies to radically alter the way they hire, train, and reward their midlevel managers--their most valuable asset.
Earn by promoting books
Earn money by sharing your favorite books through our Affiliate program.
Become an affiliate
Bill Schaninger is a senior partner emeritus in McKinsey's Philadelphia office. He is an international speaker, author, and adviser to senior leaders and government officials on the topics of talent, culture, values, and the broad impact of "how you run the place" on performance.
Bryan Hancock is a partner in McKinsey's Washington, DC, office and one of the global leaders of McKinsey's talent work. Through his research and client service, he has focused on connecting workers to opportunities, building their skills, and improving their day-to-day experience on the job.
Emily Field is a partner in McKinsey's Seattle office. She advises organizations globally across industries to deliver on their performance goals and people aspirations, with the role of the middle manager front and center.
Connect with the authors at mckinsey.com.
Named one of the Ten Best Business Books of 2023 by Forbes
Named one of the Top 23 Leadership Books of 2023 by The Next Big Idea Club
"This is a surprisingly sprightly book, full of personal insights, experiences and regrets." -- the Financial Times
Advance Praise for Power to the Middle:
"Now more than ever, we at Walmart are underscoring the critical role our managers play in communities around the world, and we continue to invest in their growth and development. This welcome research from McKinsey reinforces how critical these investments are." -- Donna Morris, Executive Vice President and Chief People Officer, Walmart
"Delta's success is driven by our ninety thousand people worldwide, and our leaders and managers play a critical role in maintaining that momentum. This book provides practical ideas on how to support midlevel managers and celebrate their important impact." -- Ed Bastian, CEO, Delta Air Lines
"A playbook to unleash the power of your talent, drive strategy execution, and elevate your business performance." -- Mona Malone, Chief Human Resources Officer and Head of People & Culture, BMO Financial Group
"An illuminating and inspiring read on why investing in your people managers matters now more than ever, with actionable insights for leaders navigating the evolution of the workplace and workforce." -- Michael Fraccaro, Chief People Officer, Mastercard
"Middle managers are the key to driving sustained value creation in organizations. Power to the Middle demonstrates why and provides business leaders with the tools they need to optimize the performance of these mission-critical people." -- Eric Kutsenda, cofounder and Managing Partner, Seidler Equity Partners
"Our talent strategy helps us to reach more patients more quickly with life-changing thera-pies. Middle managers are at the center of this process, and this book helps CEOs understand why and how they should reimagine the role of managers in their organizations." -- Tim Walbert, Chairman, President, and CEO, Horizon Therapeutics
"It's inspiring to read this recognition and celebration of middle managers and to have a guide to their engagement. They are the leaders who hold the keys to deep customer and front-line employee relationships." -- David Baiada, CEO, BAYADA Home Health Care
