Blockquotes: Middle-management Excellence

…the single most important element in corporate performance

“What is the single most important thing a CEO can do to maximize his or her company’s performance? The answer is to creatively, aggressively, and systematically build the capabilities of the company’s middle management team: the vice presidents, directors, and managers. Regardless of what high-potential initiative the CEO chooses for the company, the middle management team’s performance will determine whether it is a success or failure. And if the middle management team is performing in high gear, the managers themselves will generate the right initiatives, and constantly adapt and improve them during implementation.”