Do your middle managers have feet of clay?

Dennis Kriel • July 17, 2023

Dennis Kriel • July 17, 2023

‘How do we fix a dysfunctional company culture? We start out with a very clear idea of the culture we want in our business, but somewhere it all goes wrong, and then our people start leaving.’

This is one of the most common questions I get at King Price’s legendary culture days. And luckily, it’s fixable. It’s not easy (it never is when you’re dealing with people) but it’s fixable. And the problem often lies in what I call the ‘layer of clay’, or middle management.

You see, culture starts at the top and radiates downwards. But often, it hits this ‘layer of clay’ and stops. And there are a couple of reasons for this.

Let me say right away that this doesn’t mean your middle management are bad people or need to be replaced. On the contrary, they’re probably very good at what they do. It’s what got them there in the first place.

But they’ve probably never been taught how to manage people, or how to model culture. And as a result, they’re so focused on proving themselves that they try to show no fear or vulnerability at work, and they punish their people for making mistakes or trying to experiment.

When you find a layer of clay in your garden that nothing wants to grow in, you add compost and fertiliser, and create the foundation for growth. It’s the same with your middle management.

When you spend some time coaching them and showing them how to live your company values and create a safe workplace for their people at the same time, you’re helping your culture permeate through to the rest of the organisation.

Suddenly, your people will start feeling safe. Having fun. Living your values. Delighting your clients. And your middle managers will have happier teams who deliver better results… And as a result, their own careers will thrive.

So, if you’re feeling there’s something off in your business, look at your middle managers. Maybe they need a bit of love and attention. Making the circle bigger could transform your business.

A big problem found in layer of clay (middle management) is the communication. It is important to communicate too and through them to make sure the message/water reaches the lower parts of your organisation.

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