Helping managers thrive is essential for team engagement and organisational success. René Janssen explains how comprehensive training provides the tools to address today’s challenges
When you’re a manager, the pressure comes from all sides. Including balancing organisational goals, team dynamics and individual performance amid the complexities of modern work environments. These challenges tend to accumulate quickly and, if left unaddressed, can significantly increase the risk of burnout.
Investing in a manager is investing in the entire organisation’s wellbeing
Managers are the backbone of any organisation, tasked with steering teams towards success. However, without adequate support and training, the weight of these responsibilities can quickly become overwhelming, leading to burnout. This isn’t just a personal struggle confined to individual managers; it has ripple effects which go on to impact the entire team’s morale, productivity and, ultimately, the bottom line.
Avoiding manager churn
A recent study highlighted that excessive workload, poor time allocation, and lack of training are the major triggers for stress. With 75% of managers admitting to feeling overwhelmed, stressed or burned out in their careers, it’s not surprising that nearly a quarter (24%) are also actively looking for other jobs.
This is where the critical role of training comes into play, addressing this growing concern. Comprehensive training initiatives that go beyond the surface, training the right skills at the right time and in the right way can help employees get the most out of both their professional and personal lives. It’s not merely about acquiring new skills; it’s about equipping managers with the tools, resilience and agility needed to effectively navigate the ongoing complexities of their roles.
Managers provide employees with a sense of security – someone to fall back on. Training programmes can give managers this same feeling of support and security; providing a toolkit, spanning stress management and emotional intelligence training, to communication and conflict resolution strategies. Investing in a manager is investing in the entire organisation’s wellbeing.
Setting the tone for success
The benefits of nurturing managers extend far beyond individual wellbeing. Managers are tasked with carrying out executives’ business goals, meaning they are often the ones who also have to directly sell leadership vision to the wider team. Managers become the buffer between business goals and often frustrated, anxious employees.
Amid the challenges of managing up and the responsibility of delivering business goals that may be unrealistic due to external factors, such as intense competition, economic downturns and budget cuts, effective communication becomes essential to success.
Uncertainty stemming from these challenges can breed confusion among the wider team, adding to the already heavy weight being balanced by managers. By openly sharing relevant information and welcoming questions, managers can help eliminate this stress by bridging the gap between managers and employees, fostering trust and reassurance within the team.
Through leading by example, managers must prioritise their own wellbeing, embracing self-care, setting boundaries, and seeking assistance when necessary. This not only safeguards their mental health but also inspires their teams to follow suit.
Creating a culture of continuous learning
It can be hard for managers to encourage busy and overworked team members to learn something new. Continuous learning creates a culture where your employees are motivated and committed to learning new things, upgrading their skills, sharing knowledge, and challenging themselves to develop on both a professional and a personal level. Having this designated mindset for learning allows managers to prioritise their own training and development.
No matter the employee’s position, adopting lifelong learning contributes to sustainable growth for both individuals and the entire organisation. By investing in managerial development, companies bolster employee engagement, productivity and, importantly, retention.
Addressing managerial burnout requires a multifaceted approach – one that encompasses organisational support, targeted training initiatives, and individual empowerment. Cultivating a workplace culture where managers thrive and teams flourish is the only clear path to success.
Equipping managers with the mindset and skills needed to navigate the complexities of their role is essential – not just during their transition into management but throughout their entire career, especially as they advance into more senior leadership positions within the organisation.
René Janssen is CEO and Founder of Lepaya
