Pamper Your Middle Managers

There is an epidemic of exhaustion and frustration in today’s workplace. Employees come to work carrying the weight of modern life, while organizations face relentless pressure to deliver results amid uncertainty and a frenetic pace of change.

So how do we, as OD practitioners, help our organizations stay focused, healthy and connected to what is really happening?

Our answer: pamper your middle managers.

Middle managers sit at the intersection of almost everything happening in an organization. They hear the frustrations employees may never tell senior leaders. They feel the pressure coming down from above and the anxiety coming up from below. If you want the real pulse of your organization, this is where you should be listening.

In today’s episode, we make the case for connecting with, supporting—and yes, pampering—middle managers more than ever. Listen to them. Learn from them. And make sure their voices reach the people making the decisions.

Because in the chaos of today’s workplace, your middle managers may be your best early-warning system for what’s really going on.