Being a middle manager is often described as being the "meat in the sandwich." You’re squeezed between the operational realities of your team and the strategic pressures from senior leadership. 

Moving into a senior management role is an exciting milestone, but it can make you feel lost. 

As humans, we’re wired to seek comfort and familiarity. We naturally gravitate towards tasks, environments, and situations where we feel competent and in control—where the outcomes are largely known. 

The shift to senior management profoundly changes this equation. 

We all have a story about a bad manager. Their impact on individuals is clear, and your stories will no doubt be testament to that; at best, they can make you dread the morning alarm, and at worst, they have you running for the exit.

But as a coach, I find the impact they can have on the business is wildly underestimated by senior leaders.

Managers, holidays are an important time to help you recharge. But before you pack your bags, let's talk about the three essential steps you need to take before you put your work pass away. 

Looking after their people’s mental health and well-being is high on most companies' agendas these days. Mental Health First Aiders and Employee Assistance Programs are pretty standard in the company suite of support. But in my experience, one of the most overlooked areas for focus is the ability and quality of their managers.

And this is a big oversight.

The most effective managers also understand the power of timing. They pay attention to small details like behaviours or the current agenda in the business and know the impact timing can have on an outcome.