S3:E8: Why Middle Managers Are Critical To The Future of Work

Emily Field is a Partner at McKinsey & Company, and a Co-Author of the book: Power to The Middle: Why Managers Hold the Keys to the Future of Work. 

As a Partner in McKinsey’s Talent and Organization Practice, Emily works with companies to implement best in class talent management strategies, and as a Co-Author of this book, has spent a great deal of time researching the state of the manager in today’s workplace, what is challenging, and what needs to change.

During our conversation, we spoke about the challenges of the modern manager today, as well as some of the realities that Emily and her co-authors uncovered in their research, including a time study of how managers spent their time each day.

Emily also shared some strategies for companies who want to fix the role of the manager, why we need to re-think the manager experience like we might revamp a customer experience, as well as sharing some of her thoughts on how in the future of work, empowering the middle manager will be a key lynchpin to success. 

Links:

• Book: https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/mckinsey-on-books/power-to-the-middle
• McKinsey Research: https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/people-and-organizational-performance/our-insights/stop-wasting-your-most-precious-resource-middle-managers 
• Emily’s Profile: https://www.mckinsey.com/our-people/emily-field