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8 ways your middle management are killing your culture – and the 8 skills you need to develop - to transcend this
with Leesa Tongoulidis and Scott Henderson

10th August 2022 Wednesday
9:00 am - 11:00 am NSW | Zoom
Online event is held via Zoom. Access link will be delivered via email one day prior to the event.

Middle managers are the engine of the business, the cogs that make things work, the glue that keeps companies together. Especially as remote and hybrid work takes over — and the distance between employees increases — middle managers are more important than ever.

It turns out that high-quality middle managers are the keys to success for a majority, if not all, employers.

The top 8 ways your middle management are killing your culture and you don’t know it…

1. They lean towards command & control 😱

Managers need to be able craft messages that tap into people’s intrinsic motivators to create commitment, not compliance. Managers today must communicate with every employee as if they were a volunteer to truly utilise their strengths and fully capture their buy-in.

Learn the #1 skill that needs to be developed to overcome this.

2. Lack of Delegation 😱

However, many people have an inability to let go. They tell themselves that “it’s quicker and easier to do it myself”. This short-term focus creates bottlenecks, stress and usually results in managers working longer hours and creating inefficiencies.

Learn the #1 skill that needs to be developed to overcome this.

3. Transactional Relationships 😱

A recent research¹ found that only 40% of employees report having a good relationship with their manager. Managers need to have relationships with staff that build trust and inspire discretionary effort… and play the LONG GAME with their people (not the short game).

Learn the #1 skill that needs to be developed to overcome this.

4. Failure to develop people 😱

It’s crucial for middle managers to strategically help their team members grow, develop, and flourish. This can be achieved through day-to-day coaching conversations. Coaching combines the best bits of behavioural change, organisational psychology, adult learning and business principles.

Learn the #1 skill that needs to be developed to overcome this.

5. Tolerate Underperformance 😱

While C-suite executives create big-picture plans, managers are responsible for putting those plans into action. Every manager knows they must drive results, yet many are still tolerating poor performance through avoidance of feedback and performance conversations.

Learn the #1 skill that needs to be developed to overcome this.

6. Low performing teams 😱

While managing demands planning, budgeting, organising, performance managing, and staffing, it takes a true leader to understand the significance of setting direction, aligning people, empowering, motivating, and inspiring. Middle managers hold the key to team engagement and commitment, especially at times of unrelenting change.

Learn the #1 skill that needs to be developed to overcome this.

7. Lack of Emotional Intelligence 😱

Understanding self-awareness and social awareness begins with discovering more within oneself and others. They should use their emotional intelligence to improve their own communication, conflict management, and the communication with their team.

Learn the #1 skill that needs to be developed to overcome this.

8. Maintaining the status quo 😱

Being good at what you do no longer ensures success in the future. Companies must innovate and change. Yet many employees are currently exhausted and experiencing change fatigue. They need to build commitment to the new ways of working and build passionate change champions within their teams.

Learn the #1 skill that needs to be developed to overcome this.

EXPERT SPEAKERS:

Leesa Tongoulidis

With over two decades of experience in executive, leadership, HR, and complex change management roles across multiple sectors and operating circumstances, Leesa has become deeply attuned to the commercial and cultural realities that underpin success.

Leesa is a certified IECL- Level 2 Executive Coach, Career Transition Specialist, with accreditations in DiSC, SPQ Gold, Hogan, Psychological Safety and Mental Health First Aid. Leesa has been engaged many times as a speaker, panellist or sought out as a thought leader on topics such as Career Management, Women in Leadership, Diversity and Inclusion, Culture and Employee Experience. I am an active member of the NSW Learning and Development Committee with the Australian Human Resources Institute.

Scott Henderson (BSc, MA - Psychology)

Scott is a registered psychologist with a solid background as an educator. He has worked as a lecturer in psychology, behavioural science and research at the Universities of Sydney and Western Sydney. Since 1999, his work in the corporate sector has spanned the spectrum from industrial psychologist to corporate trainer. His unique perspective of inter- and intra-personal understanding complements the delivery of his training and ensures a rigorous and scientific approach to each participant’s growth and development. He has delivered training throughout Australia and New Zealand including courses in Customer Service, Team Building and Cohesive Teams, Communication, Leadership and Management, Performance Management, Coaching, Conflict Resolution, Sales and Business Development, Time Management, Resilience and Life Balance, Interpersonal Skills and Professional Presentation Skills. Additionally, Scott continues to work hard to dispel the stereotype that psychologists actually get people to lie down on couches!

YOU & THE #BBGTHINKTANK

Scott's "knowledge share" will be followed by the #bbgthinktank, where you will breakout into a group of 5-7 delegates and explore how you can implement the learnings from Scott into your organisation. These insights will be 'unpacked' and discussed.

I'm sure you will find this forum useful, informative and stimulating.

If you’re interested in learning, collaborating and growing with us, join us at this forum.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Onwards and upwards,
BSI Learning Forum Team

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