As staffing experts in Kansas City, Morgan Hunter knows that middle managers are a vital part of your organization. You depend on them to oversee and motivate many of your employees. At the same time, it can be tough to manage your expectations for them, as well as those from the individuals on their staff. In fact, they can often feel stuck in the middle, so to speak, and become unhappy, as a result.
The good news is that there are steps you can take that can help inspire greatness in your middle managers, so you can get more from them. For instance:
Empower them.
If middle managers feel micromanaged, they’ll micromanage their employees. This can create a toxic work culture; one that leads to high turnover rates. That’s why it’s important to empower your middle managers to make decisions by themselves, without constantly being questioned. This is the only way you’re going to build trust between you and your middle managers, so they have the confidence to effectively lead.
Recognize them.
As KC staffing experts, we know that sometimes, middle managers can feel invisible within an organization. They’re not so high up on the ladder that they have constant visibility and recognition. At the same time, they’re not so low that they require a lot of attention. As a result, they can get lost within a company. That’s why it’s so important to call them out on a regular basis and recognize them. Show them that you truly appreciate all their hard work – and they’ll work even harder for you.
Develop them.
Just because someone is already a manager doesn’t mean they don’t need career training and development. Most middle managers want to continue to grow and acquire new skills. They just might not feel supported by their employers to do so. But when you offer your managers valuable opportunities to improve, you’re making a positive impact on their career satisfaction, as well as on your retention rates and bottom line.
Get to know them.
Want to know the secret behind motivating someone? It’s all about getting to know what’s important to each unique individual. Some are motivated by money, perks and other benefits. Others are looking for the intangibles, like more rewarding and challenging projects. It’s up to you to get to know your middle managers on a more personal level, so you know what’s important and what will work best to inspire them.
Talk to them.
Strive for an open relationship with your middle managers. This means touching base regularly to discuss what’s working and what isn’t on their teams and in their departments. Likewise, approach these conversations as a mentor. That way, your middle managers will feel more supported and like they have someone to talk to when issues arise.
Need more help hiring top-performing middle managers for your company?
Call in the trusted staffing experts in Kansas City: Morgan Hunter. We provide a variety of strategic staffing services to companies large and small all over Kansas City, including direct hire placements for middle management positions. If you’re ready to find your next best manager – and want professional help with staffing in KC – please contact us today.
