Power to the Middle - by Bill Schaninger & Bryan Hancock & Emily Field (Hardcover)

About the Book

"'Middle manager' The term evokes a bygone industrial era in which managers functioned like cogs in a vast machine and bureaucracy ruled. In recent decades, midlevel managers became a favorite target for the chopping block-underappreciated, often considered a superfluous layer of the organization. This view is so widespread that it has seeped into the identity of the managers themselves. Not only does this outdated perspective need to change, the future demands it.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 what middle managers can and must be able to do. They explain how middle managers are uniquely positioned close to the ground but with a crucial connection to company strategy-enabling them to guide organizations through the current period of rapid and complex change, as well as help to shape the new world of work. The authors compellingly articulate this profound shift in the workplace, showing how: As the war for talent escalates, managers are an organization's first line of defense, requiring strong people skills to attract and retain the best talent; middle managers possess the granular knowledge and perspective necessary to lead the realignments resulting from digital disruption; managers must shift from merely enforcing rules to challenging them, serving as the critical stopgap for rules that are ineffective or obsolete; and 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 most valuable asset: managers, the true center of the organization"--

Book Synopsis

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Not only does this outdated perspective need to change, but the future demands it.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.

Review Quotes

"In this timely book, the authors describe the value that middle managers provide in organizations that are complex and adaptive to disruptions. This book integrates best practices in management for the new workplace." -- TD magazine (Association for Talent Development)

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

About the Author

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.