Insight.

Middle managers are the bridge between strategy and frontline execution. When execution fails, the cause is often weak support, unclear authority, or insufficient capability at this level.

CEOs who strengthen middle management significantly improve execution outcomes.

Key Strategies:

1. Clarify expectations and decision authority.

2. Invest in leadership capability development.

3. Ensure senior leaders support middle managers.

4. Align incentives with execution outcomes.

5. Eliminate role ambiguity.

CEO Leadership Actions.

• Reinforce the importance of middle management roles.
• Provide targeted development and coaching.
• Remove obstacles that hinder execution.

Actionable Tip.

• Review one strategic initiative and confirm that middle managers have the authority to deliver.

Why This Matters

Strong middle management multiplies execution capacity.

About the Author.

Ernest De-Graft Egyir, CEO advisor, Thought Leader and Founding CEO of Chief Executives Network Ghana, convenes the Ghana CEO Summit and served on Ghana’s Economic Dialogue Planning Committee.