Five Must-Reads for Middle Managers
Middle management is where the rubber meets the road.
-PETER DRUCKER
They're the bridge between the C-suite and the front lines, the strategic minds translating grand visions into daily tasks. They're the champions for their teams, the sounding boards for their bosses, and the glue that holds an organization together. Middle managers are often the unsung heroes who play a critical, yet arguably under-appreciated, role in any company's success.
Middle managers need to wear many hats, navigate layers of pressure, and reconcile competing demands. They're responsible for motivating and developing their teams, hitting performance targets, and navigating complex company politics. Middle managers often occupy a precarious space between supporting the strategic vision of upper management and directing the daily realities. This can lead to conflicting priorities and the feeling of being squeezed from both sides.
So, how can you rise to the challenge and lead effectively from the middle? We've compiled a list of must-read books that will equip you with strategies to more confidently lead in all directions.
1 - Power to the Middle: Why Managers Hold the Keys to the Future of Work by Schaninger, Hancock, and Field.
In "Power to the Middle: Why Managers Hold the Keys to the Future of Work," Schaninger, Hancock, and Field challenge the misconception that middle managers are expendable. Instead, the authors argue that they are the hidden gems of an organization, positioned perfectly to drive success in a rapidly changing world.
The book dismantles the idea of middle managers as simply cogs in the machine. It highlights their unique strengths as:
Bridging the Gap: They connect company strategy with daily execution, understanding both the big picture and the on-the-ground realities.
Championing Talent: They play a critical role in attracting, developing, and retaining top talent, a crucial factor in today's competitive landscape.
Navigating Change: They possess the agility and adaptability needed to guide teams through periods of disruption and technological advancements.
"Power to the Middle" doesn't just sing the praises of middle managers; it provides them with practical tools. Here's what you can expect:
A New Model for Empowerment: The book outlines a framework for senior leaders to invest in middle managers, fostering a culture of coaching and development.
Strategies for Value Creation: It equips you with methods to identify and unlock new value streams within your team and organization.
Compensation and Recognition: It addresses the often-overlooked issue of fair compensation for middle management roles, crucial for attracting and retaining top talent in this vital position.
If you're a middle manager looking to elevate your impact — or an executive leader determining how to reposition and empower your middle managers, "Power to the Middle" offers a roadmap and the tools to get you there.
Find it on Good Reads or Amazon.
In "Leading from the Middle: A Playbook for Managers," author Scott Mautz tackles the unique challenges faced by middle managers. Often referred to as the "messy middle," these individuals manage upwards (to their bosses), downwards (to their teams), and laterally (with colleagues).
The book equips middle managers with the mindset and skillset to thrive in this complex role.
Here's a breakdown of the key content:
Mindset: Mautz emphasizes the importance of adopting a winning attitude. He explores the characteristics of successful middle managers and how they approach challenges.
Skillset: The book dives deep into crucial skills like communication, coaching, and influencing others. You'll learn how to provide effective feedback, navigate disagreements with your boss, and build strong relationships with your team and colleagues.
Influence: A significant focus is placed on influencing all directions within the organization. This includes strategies for managing upwards (gaining buy-in from leadership), managing downwards (motivating and developing your team), and influencing laterally (collaborating effectively with peers).
Leading Change: The book provides tools and frameworks for leading change initiatives within your team and across the organization.
Practical Resources:
Real-Life Examples: The book is filled with relatable real-life stories and case studies, making the concepts easier to grasp and apply to your own situation.
Self-Assessment Tools: You will also have opportunities to assess your strengths and weaknesses, allowing you to target your development efforts.
Middle Action Plan (MAP): One of the most valuable resources is the "MAP" framework. This step-by-step guide helps you create a personalized plan for maximizing your impact within the organization.
With a variety of resources and strategies, "Leading from the Middle" empowers middle managers to become confident and effective leaders within their organizations, ultimately driving positive change and achieving significant results.
Find it on Good Reads or Amazon.
3 - Managing Up: How to Move up, Win at Work, and Succeed with Any Type of Boss by Mary Abbajay
"Managing Up: How to Move up, Win at Work, and Succeed with Any Type of Boss" by Mary Abbajay is a practical guide aimed at helping professionals navigate relationships with their supervisors.
The book emphasizes the importance of cultivating a strong relationship with your manager, a concept Abbajay terms "managing up." This isn't about flattery or manipulation, but about understanding your boss's communication style, priorities, and expectations.
She provides specific tips on how to:
understand different boss personalities, from the micro-manager to the hands-off leader, and tailor your approach accordingly
manage expectations, leverage strengths, and mitigate weaknesses
navigate conflicts or misunderstandings with success
advocate effectively for yourself, demonstrating your value as an employee your manager cannot afford to lose
Practical resources provided include frameworks for building strong relationships, tools for effective communication and feedback, and strategies for gaining support and advancing within the organization.
"Managing Up" equips middle managers with actionable advice and tools to enhance their leadership capabilities.
Find it on Good Reads or Amazon.
Feeling overwhelmed by challenging personalities at work? "Managing Narcissists, Blamers, Dramatics and More..." by Mark Murphy offers a valuable source of support to understand a range of difficult colleagues, from the self-absorbed narcissist to the drama queen and the chronic blamer.
Middle managers, who often find themselves caught between demanding employees and higher expectations, will find this book particularly valuable. Here's why:
Focus on Actionable Strategies: The book goes beyond simply identifying personality types. It arms you with "research-driven scripts" – specific phrases and techniques to de-escalate situations, manage conflict, and deflect negativity.
Variety of Personalities Covered: Murphy tackles a wide range of difficult personalities, allowing you to identify the specific challenges you're facing and find targeted solutions. This is crucial, as a one-size-fits-all approach won't work for a narcissistic colleague versus a chronically negative one.
Practical Tools for Everyday Use: The book provides clear and concise scripts that can be easily integrated into everyday interactions. This empowers managers to handle difficult situations with confidence, minimizing drama and wasted time.
Imagine having a toolbox filled with the right phrases to calmly redirect a drama queen or subtly deflate a narcissist's ego. "Managing Narcissists, Blamers, Dramatics and More..." equips middle managers with just that, providing practical resources to navigate challenging personalities and create a more positive and productive work environment for themselves and their teams.
Find it on Good Reads or Amazon.
In "The 360 Degree Leader" by John C. Maxwell, the core message is that impactful leadership isn't about your position in the hierarchy; it's about your ability to influence effectively in all directions. This is particularly relevant to middle managers, who often feel stuck between the C-suite and the front lines.
The book emphasizes the concept of "360-degree leadership," which means leading upwards (influencing your boss), laterally (among colleagues), and downwards (leading your team). Maxwell argues that by developing influence in all these directions, middle managers can create positive change and achieve significant results regardless of their title.
Here's a breakdown of why this book is valuable for middle managers:
Building Relationships Up, Down, and Across: The book provides strategies for understanding the needs and priorities of people above, below, and around you. It offers guidance on communication and building trust with all stakeholders.
Increasing Your Influence: It equips you with practical tools to become a more persuasive communicator and advocate for your ideas.
Leading Without Authority: Maxwell provides strategies for inspiring and motivating others, even without direct hierarchical authority.
Actionable Tools for Middle Managers:
Self-assessment exercises: Identify your strengths and weaknesses as a leader across the 360 spectrum.
Communication frameworks: Learn how to tailor your communication style to different audiences, be it your boss, colleagues, or team members.
Influence strategies: Gain practical tools to build consensus, navigate disagreements constructively, and get buy-in for your initiatives.
By applying the principles and frameworks outlined in "The 360 Degree Leader," middle managers can move beyond simply managing their teams. They can become influential change-makers who drive results, build strong working relationships, and ultimately contribute to the overall success of the organization.
Find it on Good Reads or Amazon.
