Leadership Does not Necessarily Start At The Top

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Leadership Does not Necessarily Start At The Top
Fremont: Peter Drucker once said, "No institution can possibly survive if it needs geniuses or supermen to manage it. It must be organized in such a way as to be able to get along under a leadership composed of average human beings." For organizations which feel that just the top executives are capable of leading the others, have not done a good job while hiring resources into the organization. It is a known fact, that middle level managers are the critical link between the stakeholders of a company and the customers. They serve as the communication link between the top and the bottom levels of the company. So why does the crown of leaders be given just to the top executives? Have not the top management risen from the level of the middle level managers? It is a known fact that a good leader is the one who has made his way to the top after having a grueling time at the lowest levels. In the field of communication, it is generally noticed that the news carried through the informal chains are more true, as these channels are formed out of the mutual interaction and trust on each other, rather than the need to exist due to company policies. These channels have been tapped to get the views of employees about any important strategic decisions, by making them leak through as trailers. The middle level managers play a very important role in the informal chain as they are a part of it, thus giving them more authority and trusting their instincts would help companies effectively maneuver around. If companies want to create a high performing organization, they have to make sure that everyone in the organization consistently work together to improve performance, everyone including the top and the middle level need to exercise transformational behavior. Also, they should build a culture of trust in the organization, to improve the performance of the middle-level management, and reducing the attrition rate. They should guide the middle-tier management on how to handle tough situations. Since, those at the middle level are closest to the workers and the customers. They are able to get a better idea of the customers and the workers want, which can be capitalized to path-breaking strategies. Companies, who do well, pay attention to the nitty gritty details of not just their customers but also the workers. Apart from empowering the middle-level managers, having faith in them will enable the top executives to move their focus on high-priority topics, instead of micro-managing the middle-level managers and the workers. A strong middle management would act as a very strong stem, which would help the tree stand immune to storms.