Middle Managers Vital to Growth of Organisations – Minister Charles Jr

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., says effective middle managers play a critical role in empowering their teams and are vital to the growth and stability of organisations.

The Minister was addressing the opening of Make Your Mark Group’s Middle Managers’ Leadership Conference at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston on May 1.

As the liaison between upper management and junior staff, middle managers play a vital role in the company’s day-to-day operations.

They are responsible for implementing senior management policies and plans and are charged with running an organisation rather than making decisions about how it operates.

Minister Charles Jr. told the middle managers attending the two-day conference to take advantage of the opportunity to network and learn as much as they can, noting that the sessions will assist them to deal with specific situations in their organisatons such as crisis management.

“A lot of organisations are unable to deal with crises and this is causing them to be crippled. You have to, as middle managers, understand your specific role in crisis management because you will be the messengers. If you are frantic, everyone else is going to be frantic,” he pointed out.

“You’re going to have the experience, throughout this conference, of being exposed to a lot of information, and I want you to challenge yourself to not just listen but to think. Do you agree [with what is being discussed] and if you don’t agree, challenge it,” he said.

Managing Director, Make Your Mark Group, Dr. Jacqueline Coke Lloyd, in her remarks, said proactivity by middle management is critical in the recruitment and retention of talent that is vital to productivity and growth.

“The shortage and retention of talent looms large on the horizon, presenting a formidable obstacle to organisational success. Middle managers must, therefore, rise to the occasion, becoming champions of talent acquisition, development and retention,” she said.

She noted that middle managers must create environments where employees are not just engaged but inspired to reach their full potential while achieving organisational goals.

She said that the Government has a vital role to play in shaping the future of the workforce and urged the review of legislation aimed at attracting top talent while also offering incentives such as tax breaks and grants to entities that are investing in training and innovation.

Among the topics for discussion over the two days are Leadership and Managerial Excellence, Building High-Performance Teams and Cultures to Drive Performance, Etiquette, and Navigating Rapid Changes.