Unhappy Middle Managers and A Leadership Model That Works

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Hello Listeners,

Ever had that office buddy who always seems to have a gray cloud looming overhead, no matter how many times they were crowned "Employee of the Month"? Ever wondered if you might be THAT buddy? 😅

In our latest podcast episode of "90th Percentile," my co-host Jack and I dive deep into the murky waters of workplace unhappiness. The statistics might surprise you: 59% are in “quiet quitting” mode. And it's not the newbies or the underachievers—it's the mid-level managers with a college degree who are feeling the blues.

Episode 122: Why Middle Managers are So Unhappy

Discover the top 9 reasons why these unexpected cohorts of employees are seriously considering handing in their notice. And spoiler alert: poor leadership is number one.

 Also, a special shoutout to that 5% of unhappy managers: You may be a minority, but boy, do you have an impact. We see you, we hear you, and we've got some insights to help.

Tune in and find out if you're a part of this unexpected group or if you might be contributing to their unhappiness. And hey, even if neither applies, arm yourself with the knowledge to make your workplace a happier place! Listen here.

Next, up…

Episode 123: The Leadership Tent—Balancing Specialization with Generalism

Ever tried setting up a tent? You know, those tricky ones with a center pole and four corner poles? In our latest podcast episode, we dive deep into Zenger Folkman’s “leadership tent model.”

Extraordinary leadership is not just about having one super strong pole; it's about achieving balance and diversity in leadership strengths. As Jack insightfully puts it, "One tent pole, no matter how tall, doesn’t make a great tent." True in camping, true in leadership.

We also touched on some other topics:

1. Why being an 'all-rounder' might be more valuable than you think.

2. How character is like that center tent pole—non-negotiable.

3. The dangers of being a one-trick pony.

And for the data nerds among us (🙋♀️), we dished out some serious stats about the power of combining skills.

So, if you're keen to pitch your leadership tent perfectly (or just enjoy a good chat about tents), give it a listen here.

Stay happy, or at least try to!

-       BreAnne Okoren, Co-Host of The 90th Percentile: An Unconventional Leadership Podcast

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LEARN MORE about ZENGER FOLKMAN

Give your organization’s leaders the best development programs research has to offer. Our founders put the notion of leadership under a microscope and their discoveries changed the way the world views leadership and how it can best be developed. Today, our research continues, and our view on development is unchanged―effective leadership development requires an empirical approach and a practical, relatable process.