What on earth is going on with managers?!
According to a recent Morgan Stanley report, Amazon could cut nearly 14,000 management positions, which may save the company around $3 billion next year.
While Amazon hasn’t officially announced plans for managerial layoffs, there’s growing recognition of the need to streamline team structures and reassess the number of leadership roles across the organisation.
Change is on the horizon for one of the world’s largest tech giants. But is this a trend across all industries for middle management?
Let's look at some of the data*:
1. Managers account for 70% of the variance in employee engagement
2. Poor communication and strategy from team leaders caused 51% of employees to experience increased anxiety
3. Most managers end up in the position accidentally. So is it their fault when things go downhill?
Activating managers is no easy feat. It requires the right training, systems and role-modelling behaviour. It can often feel easier just to cut managers, rather than setting them up for real success.
Rather than simply cutting the management workforce and replacing them (presumably) with systems and automation, is there a way to make managers more effective?
Yes. We know it's possible because we do it every day with our clients.
Regardless of the vision of upper management, here's a hard truth we've learned from HR specialists and thousands of users: Employees want to feel valued.
Social connection is key to maintaining productivity in remote work. A lack of connection has diminished employee networks, especially among younger workers. Without managers, this personal approach erodes.
Encouraging recognition and offering weekly coaching sessions can address these challenges. In fact, Mo’s software helps managers prioritise recognition, connection and coaching, helping to build a healthier and more engaged workplace culture.
What do you think of the role of managers? Are there too many of them? Or are they just undervalued and set up to fail?
*Source: https://lnkd.in/e-2XJCse
