The Middle Management Dilemma
Managers in the middle of hierarchy often have the most complex position: They must fulfill their managers tasks, get instructions, often not very specific, called freedom to operate, and often as well in contradiction to other tasks, and other colleague´s instructions and targets. In addition, the have to manage and motivate teams sometimes cross organizational teams, sitting in different time zones, sites, and even floors can make a difference.
Managers in middle hierarchy may have the feeling whatever they do, they can only mess it up. Various tasks hammer on the door, from QM to production, maintenance, procurement, HR, R&D, and – last, but not least – customers and their demand, just to name a few. In the daily chaos they may just wish to survive somehow while focusing on what they believe is most relevant. And most relevant in by nature not necessary the not-so-clear target and the even-more-away company strategy. And when they go home the story may continue…
Some studies believe that managers are spending 60-80% of their individual time with documentation, defending, attacking, working on alliances, polishing data, repeating meaningless exercises…
…whether such figure is true of not – one may take for granted it´s far too much time. This is why we developed the 5P Principle. Most people are born as normal individuals. When they get strange at work, there are reasons which may have to do with leadership, clarity, and trust. Feel invited to start a conversation.