Middle managers often get a bad rap, seen as roadblocks to change and innovation. But Emily Field flips this narrative on its head. As a McKinsey partner, Emily saw firsthand how empowering middle managers unlocks an organization’s potential. In this insightful interview, Emily Field, McKinsey & Company partner and coauthor of Power to the Middle: Why Managers Hold the Keys to the Future of Work, debunks the middle manager myth. Hear why managers, not senior execs, hold the keys to the future of work. Emily shares research on the untapped power of middle managers to drive strategy, culture, and innovation. With compelling stories and data, Emily reveals how organizations can rethink the manager role for the future. You’ll learn how to remove bureaucracy, rebundle work, and achieve the “yin and yang” of performance and people.

By listening to this conversation, you will

• Discover how managers, not senior execs, execute strategy day-to-day through their teams. 
• Learn why managers are burning out from misaligned priorities and administrative burdens. 
• Find out how to measure and incentivize both performance and people leadership. 
• Hear how managers can “rebundle” roles to navigate automation and AI. 
• Get Emily Field’s framework to eliminate bureaucracy. 

Recommended Resources

McKinsey & Company Power to the Middle 

Power to the Middle: Why Managers Hold the Keys to the Future of Work on Amazon 

Connect with Emily Field

Emily Field McKinsey & Company 

Emily Field LinkedIn 

Connect with Mahan Tavakoli:

Mahan Tavakoli Website

Mahan Tavakoli on LinkedIn

Partnering Leadership Website