The malady of mediocrity
Journal of Organizational Change Management
ISSN: 0953-4814
Article publication date: 9 August 2022
Issue publication date: 1 September 2022
Abstract
Purpose
Managerial mediocrity – that characteristic of being somewhere in the middle in terms of capability or aptitude – is an understudied phenomenon and yet has significant impact on organizational effectiveness, performance and goodwill. Organizations must therefore be able to identify mediocrity, and take prompt action to eradicate it. What are some of the symptoms of mediocrity, and what are the steps that an organization can take? These are the questions that this article attempts to answer.
Design/methodology/approach
This is a paper expressing viewpoint.
Findings
While the managers are not are expected to be excellent in all aspects, being consistently in the average bracket has far reaching consequences. Companies who have a sizeable number of employees in this category struggle when it comes to pursuing organizational vision and goals. Most performance management systems revolve around the top performers and the non-performers, rewarding the former and penalizing the latter. More often than not, the mediocre populace is largely untouched.
Social implications
Future researchers can study the highlighted gaps in regards to commitment to change. Further it provides researchers a brief summary of 55 research studies on commitment to change.
Originality/value
This is an original article.
Keywords
Citation
Sengupta, S. (2022), "The malady of mediocrity", Journal of Organizational Change Management, Vol. 35 No. 4/5, pp. 713-717. https://doi.org/10.1108/JOCM-05-2022-0143
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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