"Middle management" needs a refresh

Break out of the management mindset.

Welcome to Future-Proofed Leadership Month, a time to focus on the impact of the?Leaders?in your organisation.?

In this edition, we explore…

1. Middle ‘Management’ vs Middle ‘Leadership’
2. The six skills needed to make the shift
3. Two pathways organisations can take to develop their leaders: Leadership Cultivator or Insights Prospector?

The rise of the middle leader.

They might be typically coined 'middle management', but they are far more than that.

This group of leaders are, in essence, the critical link that brings together organisational strategy and day-to-day operations.?

Their pivotal role influences every aspect of our businesses, creating ripples of change that resonate through every layer of the organisation.

Now, we are witnessing the rise of the middle leader. Middle leaders are stepping up, growing beyond their roles as managers to become influential people who inspire, motivate, and guide their teams towards great business and great impact.

?"Now, we are witnessing the rise of the middle leader."

Their journey from managers to leaders is marked by the development of six critical skills:

1. Creating Mattering:?Showing people they matter every day.
2. Unearthing strengths:?Recognising and nurturing the strengths of their team members, even before they do.
3. Lighter, greater relationships:?Fostering relationships across teams, acting as a conduit for positive collaboration and communication.
4. Empowering independence:?Allowing their team members to take charge, providing guidance and support while encouraging individual ways of working.?
5. Mastering change:?Knowing the dynamics of change and what it takes to navigate change effectively, learning from both setbacks and successes.
6. Creating meaningful work:?ensuring that every team member is engaged in work that is rewarding, challenging, and above all, meaningful.

Choose your path: Leadership Cultivator or Insights Prospect

There are two key paths you can embark on as an organisation before you begin the journey.

Here's an overview of each one.?

Choosing the?Leadership Cultivator?path means investing in leadership training and skill enhancement actively and inclusively. It's about taking action to build a strong foundation for your organisation's future by enrolling your leaders in an ongoing 'curriculum' you've designed through a mix of programs, masterclasses or workshops. Our?6-part Modern Leaders program?is designed to help you hit the spot across several pillars of leadership.

The?Insights Prospector?path, on the other hand, is a slow and steady approach that embraces more data inputs. In essence, Insights Prospectors conduct a Leadership Capability Assessment before co-designing their curriculums and formulating a tailored action plan. This approach is a more steady-as-she-goes way to understand the individual capabilities of your leadership team. Learn more about the?why and how of capability assessments.

"Whichever path you take, you're overcoming the intent-and-action gap, which is half the battle."

If you're unsure of which direction to move in, reach out.

Modern People's purpose is to humanise the new world of work.

Find out more at www.modernpeople.com.au