Challenges of being a manager in the corporate world

 A recent survey on "Employee Engagement" by Gallup measures employee engagement 

"Employee engagement is the involvement and enthusiasm of employees in both their work and workplace. Highly engaged teams outperform the rest in business outcomes critical to the success of your organization."

The survey highlights that only 1 in 3 American workers say they are engaged with their job. Less than half say they know what is expected of them at work. Let's look at the challenges of being in middle management in the corporate world.

In the recent Youtube post, Tech executive Mohan Krishnamoorthy shares his views on Middle Management 

Being a middle manager comes with its own set of challenges. Here are some common challenges that individuals in middle management positions often face:

1. Balancing Act: Middle managers are caught in the middle of the organizational hierarchy, responsible for implementing higher-level decisions from top management while also addressing the concerns and needs of their team members. Balancing these different expectations can be challenging. 
2. Limited Decision-Making Authority: Middle managers may have limited autonomy in decision-making compared to top executives. They often need to adhere to organizational policies and strategies set by upper management, which can be frustrating when trying to address specific team issues. 
3. Communication Challenges: Middle managers must effectively communicate upward to senior management and downward to their team members. Miscommunication or incomplete information can lead to misunderstandings and hinder the successful implementation of strategies. 
4. Pressure from Above and Below: Middle managers may feel pressure from both their superiors and subordinates. They are accountable for the performance of their team and the successful execution of organizational strategies, which can be stressful. 
5. Limited Resources: Middle managers often have to operate within tight budgets and resource constraints. This can make it challenging to meet performance expectations and deliver results, especially when facing resource limitations. 
6. Resistance to Change: Implementing changes within a team or department can be met with resistance from both team members and upper management. Middle managers must navigate this resistance, facilitate change, and ensure that their team adapts to new initiatives. 
7. Role Ambiguity: Middle managers may find themselves in roles with unclear expectations. They might be expected to wear multiple hats, leading to role ambiguity and difficulty in prioritizing tasks. 
8. Work-Life Balance: The responsibilities of a middle manager can be demanding, often requiring long hours and high levels of dedication. Achieving a healthy work-life balance can be challenging, leading to burnout if not managed effectively. 
9. Lack of Recognition: Middle managers might not receive the same level of recognition as top executives, even though they play a crucial role in the day-to-day operations and success of the organization. This lack of acknowledgment can be demotivating. 
10. Navigating Office Politics: Middle managers often find themselves navigating complex office politics. They need to build relationships with both higher-ups and subordinates while avoiding conflicts and maintaining a positive work environment.

Success in a middle management role involves developing strong communication skills, effective leadership abilities, and the capacity to navigate organizational dynamics. The ability to adapt, delegate, and foster collaboration can help middle managers overcome these challenges and contribute to the overall success of the organization.