The so-called ‘Leader Squeeze’ is a term we keep hearing here at Pavelka. But what does it mean exactly?
It’s the tension felt by managers and people leaders who find themselves sandwiched – caught between the expectations of senior leadership above, and the needs of their teams from below.
In this precarious position, they experience a push-and-pull dynamic – one that can lead to stress, burnout and feeling unsupported at work.
The overall result? A workplace that places an unsustainable load on managers, impacting not only their productivity but also their mental and physical wellbeing.
To begin understanding this topic, let’s look at some alarming statistics that paint a picture of the modern workplace.
Let the numbers do the talking
Recent studies reveal some staggering facts…
78% of HR professionals are concerned about employee turnover*
66% of HR professionals are concerned about employee mental health*
70% of employee engagement is determined by managers**
These statistics highlight that the challenges faced by managers are not one-off, personal issues – they’re deeply rooted in the operational fabric of most organizations.
So, how on earth do you begin to tackle such a huge topic?
A recipe for disengagement
One way to get to grips with the Leader Squeeze, is to think of it like a nutrient deficiency. Just as our bodies needs essential vitamins to thrive, your work environment must have a blend of proper support, clear communication and balanced expectations to keep the teams healthy.
The reality is, many who are stuck in this middle zone feel the squeeze. This is because they carry the weight of expectations from both directions – supporting teams while managing senior expectations from above.
But this isn’t a healthy juice or smoothie. Far from it. It can actually be a toxic cocktail that will slowly affect their mental wellbeing and even their physical health.
And when leaders are overwhelmed, it affects not only them – but their entire team. This can spiral into employee disengagement, decreased morale, and ultimately increased turnover – something HR professionals would like to avoid.
Your Leadership Perspective
Still unsure about the Leader Squeeze and its effects in the workplace? A good place to start is to reflect on your own leadership journey, so you can get a personal perspective.
Think about – how did you arrive at this point in your career? And have you ever encountered the dreaded Leader Squeeze, or are you actually dealing with it right now?
Brand New Guide
To help, we’ve released a new guide called – A Guide to Overcoming the Leader Squeeze.
Over the next day or two, why not use this resource to record your own reflections on your personal leadership journey – it’s a really great place to start!
The Guide is designed for those who work in HR – and other professionals – to really get to grip with the Leader Squeeze. And it’s packed with ideas and strategies to help you tackle the issue.
Why not take a look, and download your free PDF copy of the guide now?
Guide Download ➡️ Here!
Stay tuned for more insights and strategies…
This is a big topic, and one that we’ll be delving into a lot this quarter. Stay tuned for more insights and helpful strategies that can really help you make a difference at work.
Please keep checking in here to read our blogs for tackling workplace challenges together.
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