Navigating Middle Management: Lessons from the Trenches

Middle management is no joke—it’s one of the trickiest career phases to navigate. You're managing up, down, and sideways, all while juggling your own workload. And let’s face it: nobody teaches you this in school.

How do you do it well? What does "well" even mean? It can feel like a lot.

Through my own experiences (and feedback from my team), I’ve come to rely on three guiding principles for managing my team effectively:

1. Build Real Relationships

It’s tempting to cancel one-on-ones when life gets busy, but don’t. It's invaluable to take time every week for quick check-ins and dedicate longer monthly sessions. Use these moments to listen, celebrate wins, and understand challenges. Relationships are your foundation. When things get tough (and they will), strong connections will make all the difference.

👀 𝑊𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑑 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑙𝑖𝑘𝑒 𝑚𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑠ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑒 ℎ𝑜𝑤 𝐼 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑢𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑚𝑦 𝑤𝑒𝑒𝑘𝑙𝑦 𝑣𝑠. 𝑚𝑜𝑛𝑡ℎ𝑙𝑦 𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑐𝑘-𝑖𝑛𝑠? 𝐿𝑒𝑡 𝑚𝑒 𝑘𝑛𝑜𝑤 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠!

2. Treat People Like People

We’re all fundamentally human, and kindness goes a long way. Avoid gossip, backstabbing, or office politics—none build trust. Instead:

  • Be honest.

  • Give quality feedback.

  • Teach people something or share a tip in your interactions.

People remember how you make them feel, and small, positive interactions add up. Over time, they’ll create a culture of respect and collaboration.

3. Pick Your Battles

You don’t need to comment on everything. Process everything, but focus your energy on what truly matters.

  • Praise publicly.

  • Give feedback privately.

  • Let the little things go—they’re rarely worth your time.

Bonus Tip: Take a Coaching course

Taking even an introductory coaching course transformed how I approach check-ins. When you speak to your team, it shouldn’t merely be about tasks but also growth. Support your team in overcoming fears, exploring new skills, or pursuing ideas they hadn’t considered. Helping them grow benefits everyone in the long run, even in small ways.

I know I’ve only scratched the surface here—what are your go-to strategies for managing your team? I’d love to hear your insights in the comments.