The Power Between
If the themes in these podcasts resonate, and you sense your mid-level managers could benefit from deeper reflection and peer exchange, consider joining our monthly online community. Hosted by Roddy Millar, it’s a relaxed yet purposeful space where leadership challenges are unpacked with insight and camaraderie. Each session offers structure without rigidity, and conversation without jargon. To learn more or explore joining, drop us a line at: admin@ideasforleaders.com [admin@ideasforleaders.com] __________________________________________ In this episode of The Power Between Podcast by Ideas for Leaders [https://ideasforleaders.com/], host Roddy Millar [https://www.linkedin.com/in/roddymillar/] speaks with Gary Cookson [https://www.linkedin.com/in/garycookson/], Author of book “The Squeezed Middle [https://amzn.eu/d/0eOeM0UA]” and expert in people management and hybrid work. Gary is the Director of EPIC [https://www.linkedin.com/company/epichr/], where he helps customers with Learning and development, Human resources, Organizational design, Business transformation, & Digital delivery. Gary shares his career journey of over 25 years, focused on improving work environments and supporting middle managers. He discusses the importance of clear role definitions for middle managers, the challenges they face, and the need for organizations to provide better support and development. Gary also emphasizes how middle managers can drive change, foster trust, and improve organizational culture through coaching, empathy, and visible labor. Gary explains how his work focuses on helping organizations improve the role of middle managers, especially in today’s changing work environment. He shares how clear role definitions, strong relationships, and emotional intelligence can help middle managers navigate complexity and support their teams. Gary emphasizes the importance of building trust, managing performance fairly, and reducing ambiguity. He also highlights how consistent development, open communication, and recognizing the invisible work of managers lead to improved productivity and a stronger organizational culture. Key Topics: -Career Journey in People Management: How Gary’s 25+ years of experience shaped his focus on improving work environments and supporting middle managers. -The Squeezed Middle: Why middle managers are critical to bridging gaps in organizations and driving culture, productivity, and change. -Navigating Hybrid Work: How hybrid work presents both opportunities and challenges for managers and organizations. -The Value of Emotional Intelligence: Why empathy, reflection, and coaching are essential for middle managers to succeed. -Clarifying Middle Manager Roles: How defining clear roles and responsibilities for middle managers improves focus, reduces pressure, and drives better outcomes. 📘Learn more about the challenges and strategies for supporting middle managers in Gary’s book, “The Squeezed Middle”. 👉Grab your copy today: https://amzn.eu/d/0fa7zwZz [https://amzn.eu/d/0fa7zwZz] Timestamps: [00:00] Teaser [01:53] Gary's journey into writing books on work culture [04:13] The tension around middle management in organizations [07:58] Defining clear roles for middle managers in organizations [09:44] Building upward influencing skills for middle managers [12:26] Case studies of organizations that fail to support middle managers [15:38] How middle managers can prevent organizational breakdown [17:47] The role of middle managers in managing change effectively [21:41] Storytelling and its value for middle managers in conveying messages [24:06] The potential of AI to assist middle managers with routine tasks [29:26] Shifting middle management focus towards coaching and mentoring [31:24] The duality of middle management satisfaction [33:22] The challenge of realistic expectations for middle managers [35:05] The role of senior leaders in shaping middle management success 📚 Resources: 👉 Subscribe to DLQ just for $3 for 3 months - https://developingleadersquarterly.com/ [https://developingleadersquarterly.com/] 👉 Read this article from DLQ46 for free on ‘From Compete and Compare to Collaborate and Care’ - https://developingleadersquarterly.com/from-compete-and-compare-to-collaborate-and-care/?share=ccyoGhQUZSYB [https://developingleadersquarterly.com/from-compete-and-compare-to-collaborate-and-care/?share=ccyoGhQUZSYB] 👉 The Squeezed Middle - https://amzn.eu/d/064Keg8w [https://amzn.eu/d/064Keg8w] Follow our guest, Gary Cookson: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garycookson/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/garycookson/] Follow our Guest’s Company, EPIC: EPIC: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/epichr/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/epichr/] Website: https://epichr.co.uk/ [https://epichr.co.uk/] Follow the Host, Roddy Millar: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roddymillar/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/roddymillar/] Follow Ideas For Leaders: Website: https://ideasforleaders.com/ [https://ideasforleaders.com/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ideas-for-leaders/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/ideas-for-leaders/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ideasforleaders.dlq [https://www.instagram.com/ideasforleaders.dlq] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ideasforleaders/ [https://www.facebook.com/ideasforleaders/] X (Twitter): https://x.com/ideas4leaders [https://x.com/ideas4leaders] Listening Links: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2NHgbWdUlJS8z1aSTgcIYt?si=d4f19ce12516420f [https://open.spotify.com/show/2NHgbWdUlJS8z1aSTgcIYt?si=d4f19ce12516420f] Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-power-between/id1842080646 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-power-between/id1842080646] Podcast site: https://ideasforleaders.com/ [https://ideasforleaders.com/] Subscribe for more insights on people management and leadership during change. 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