Supporting the underperforming manager: Teaching the soft skills that can make all the difference

The purpose of this paper is to lament the poor quality of many managers and highlight four key skills that can help to improve their performance.

The paper emphasizes the importance of self‐awareness, delegation, communication and organizational skills.

Details the key role of training in helping to impart these skills.

The paper highlights the role of a supportive organizational culture in management development and draws attention to the cost to the economy as a whole of poorly performing managers.

The paper examines how middle managers' potential can be developed and maximized to benefit individual organizations and the economy as a whole.