January 17, 2025

Do your middle managers have the skills to lead?

by Mindtools

Good middle managers are the backbone of your organization’s resilience, agility and competitiveness. They juggle a complex and multifaceted role – they’re your problem solvers, decision makers, relationship builders and the glue that holds teams together. Yet, too often, they feel overlooked and overwhelmed, caught between meeting team needs and achieving company goals.  

Why do organizations fail to upskill middle managers? 

Upskilling these key players can be a complex learning and development challenge, especially for organizations with large, diverse workforces. Here’s why: 

  • Self-perceived skills awareness: Our Building Better Managers research with YouGov found that 86% of middle managers with line-management responsibility said they already “know what skills they need to be a good manager.” Yet, many struggled to articulate or define “good management” when interviewed​.  
  • Time pressures: “Too many competing priorities” are a barrier to development, according to 50% of the managers in our survey. Operational demands can lead to learning programs being sidelined and even perceived as an interruption instead of an opportunity. 
  • One-size-fits-all learning: A lack of personalization in development programs diminishes engagement and leaves skill gaps unaddressed. Learning content is perceived as “uninspiring” by 19% of the managers in our survey​. 
  • Evolving skill requirements: Rapid changes in technology, hybrid work, and global markets demand constant updates to development programs – something many organizations struggle to keep pace with. 
  • Proving ROI: Demonstrating the tangible impact of L&D efforts can be challenging, risking budget cuts for critical initiatives. 

Don’t leave your managers stuck in the middle   

Neglecting to upskill your middle managers comes at a steep cost: 

  • Leadership gaps: Poorly equipped managers fail to inspire teams, leading to disengagement and talent attrition. 
  • Stagnation and rigidity: Outdated leadership practices hinder agility and innovation, leaving your organization vulnerable to market shifts. 
  • Cultural erosion: Ineffective leadership creates unproductive environments, damaging morale, retention and reputation. 

Investing in middle management upskilling is not just about improving individual performance. It’s about securing your organization’s growth, resilience, adaptability, and competitive edge. 

How can Mindtools help L&D teams upskill middle managers? 

At Mindtools, we understand these complexities. That’s why we created the M: Suite, a comprehensive set of content, products and customisable solutions designed to tackle these challenges head-on. From diagnosing skill gaps to creating tailored, ongoing learning journeys, the M: Suite empowers middle managers to lead with confidence, empathy and impact. 

M: Suitea proven system to build a skilled, confident and resilient management team:  

  • M: Diagnose: Start with the Manager Skills Assessment, a powerful tool that provides a detailed individual and organization-wide evaluation of essential management skills such as goal setting, coaching and emotional intelligence. 
  • M: Accelerate: Equip managers with tailored learning paths to build critical skills that align with your organizational goals. 
  • M: Evolve: Create ongoing learning journeys that support continuous development and adaptability.  
  • M: Customize: Partner with us to design bespoke management and leadership development solutions that reflect your unique organizational culture and objectives.  

Learn more about our new products and services

Mindtools brings 30 years of expertise, paired with market-leading digital tools and resources, to support your management community and deliver measurable results.  

If you would like to know how you can apply the M: Suite to your learning and development strategy, our experts would be more than happy to help you. 

Book your free consultation now.

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