Today’s managers are caught in a perfect storm. As their companies aggressively streamline their operations, middle managers find themselves with expanding teams, growing responsibility, and diminishing support. This shift is leaving managers fatigued, under-supported, and struggling to fulfill their responsibilities.

Drawing on research from leading sources, such as Gallup, McKinsey, Gartner, Harvard Business Review, and The Wall Street Journal, this whitepaper examines the evolving challenges facing managers and outlines actionable strategies organizations can adopt to support them.

The Squeeze on Middle Management

Organizations are increasingly reducing managerial layers, forcing managers to oversee significantly larger teams. Since 2017, the average manager’s direct reports have nearly tripled, while management ranks have thinned by approximately 6% since the onset of the pandemic.

This trend isn’t isolated to smaller or struggling companies: Even major companies, including Amazon, Google, and Citigroup, have culled their management layers, placing a heavier burden on those that remain. The result? A workforce of leaders stretched beyond their capacity.

More Responsibilities, Less Support

The expansion of managerial responsibilities is staggering. Gallup's 2023 research highlights the additional burdens placed on managers:

• 64% of managers report increased job responsibilities
• 51% have experienced team restructuring
• 42% have faced budget cuts impacting their roles

Despite their expanding responsibilities, fewer than half (48%) of managers feel equipped with the skills necessary to succeed. Many receive minimal training in critical leadership areas required to effectively lead their teams.

The Complexity of Leadership Today

The nature of managerial work has shifted dramatically. Harvard Business School research (2024) shows that managers must now balance traditional supervisory roles with emerging responsibilities, including:

• Supporting employee mental health and well-being
• Navigating the complexities of hybrid work
• Implementing AI-driven operational efficiencies
• Maintaining company culture amidst change and workforce decentralization

As McKinsey’s Emily Field notes, these compounding responsibilities are leaving them feeling unsupported and overwhelmed.

The Urgent Need for Organizational Support

Despite their pivotal role, managers report feeling neglected by their organizations. Gallup has found that managers are more likely than individual contributors to be disengaged, burnt out, and seeking new job opportunities. Additionally:

• 75% of HR leaders believe managers are overwhelmed (Gartner, 2024)
• 70% say leadership programs fail to prepare managers for the future
• 74% agree that managers are unprepared to lead through change

The Impact on Employee Performance and Retention

Meanwhile, managers remain critical to employee engagement and performance. Gartner’s 2023 research underscores the direct correlation between managerial effectiveness and workforce outcomes:

• Employees with ineffective managers are 15 times more likely to be low performers
• Poor managerial support increases employee disengagement by 13%
• Employees with ineffective managers are three times more likely to quit

Solving the Manager Crisis

To address the plight of today’s managers, companies are evaluating several actions:

1. Reduce Managerial Spans of Control – Optimize the number of direct reports per manager to ensure effective oversight and employee support.
2. Invest in Targeted Leadership Development – Provide training in coaching, change management, and cultural reinforcement.
3. Prioritize Manager Well-Being – Implement wellness programs and realistic performance expectations.
4. Deploy Technology Strategically – Use AI to automate repetitive tasks, allowing managers to focus on strategic leadership.
5. Strengthen Internal Support Networks – Foster mentorship and peer learning to help managers navigate challenges collaboratively.

The Path Forward

Today’s managers are the backbone of organizational success, yet they are at risk of burnout and disengagement in today’s increasingly challenging business landscape. Companies that prioritize managerial support will be better positioned to retain top talent, drive performance, and sustain long-term growth in an increasingly complex business landscape.

The manager crisis requires immediate attention–not just for the well-being of leaders themselves, but for the health and sustainability of the entire organization.

Ready to transform how your managers perform and grow? Humancore has created the first AI-powered advisor for managers. To learn more about how an AI-powered advisor can transform your organization's approach to manager development, contact us today at info@humancore.ai.