There is growing tension within modern organisational structures when considering investing in management training courses. While companies face increasing compliance demands, regulatory complexities, and rising expectations of leadership, younger professionals appear to be steering away from traditional management roles. So, is the manager’s role becoming obsolete, or is it evolving into something more crucial than ever?
Why Fewer People Want to Be Managers
A range of studies suggest that management roles are becoming less attractive to younger generations:
- A Gallup report found that many millennials associate management roles with burnout, stress, and bureaucracy, making them less appealing.
- In a Deloitte survey, only 25% of millennials expressed a strong interest in leadership roles, citing work-life balance concerns and high-pressure responsibilities as key deterrents.
- A Harvard Business Review study revealed that younger professionals feel unprepared for the mental and emotional toll of managing people, leading many to avoid leadership tracks altogether.
The History: The Evolution of Management Roles
Traditionally, managers were authority figures responsible for enforcing rules, delegating tasks, and ensuring productivity. Organisations were often rigidly hierarchical, and promotions were based primarily on technical expertise rather than leadership ability. While this structure provided predictability, it often lacked the flexibility, collaboration, and inclusivity valued in today’s workplace.
Why Organisations Still Need Managers
Despite shifts in workplace culture, strong leadership remains essential. Here’s why:
- Strategic Oversight: Even in self-managed or flat-structured organisations, someone must oversee long-term strategy, balance priorities, and guide teams toward shared objectives.
- Talent Retention & Development: In today’s knowledge-driven economy, managers play a key role in fostering learning and professional growth.
- Decision-Making & Accountability: Even in decentralised structures, managers serve as escalation points for complex decisions.
- Communication & Conflict Resolution: Managers bridge the gap between leadership and employees, ensuring open dialogue and trust.
- Technology Integration & Innovation: Managers help teams adapt to new tools and ensure technological advancements align with business goals and human needs.
How Can We Reframe the Management Opportunity?
Rather than seeing management as a burden, organisations can reshape perceptions by:
- Highlighting Impact, Not Just Responsibility: Show how managers drive change, shape culture, and create opportunities for others.
- Encouraging Project-Based Leadership: Allow employees to lead initiatives without requiring a formal management title, giving them leadership experience in a lower-risk environment.
- Offering Personalised Career Development Plans: Position management as one of many growth paths, rather than the default promotion track. Offering them management training courses tailored to meet the demands of the role.
- Providing Early Training in People Skills: Many professionals avoid management due to fear of handling difficult conversations. Equipping employees with soft skills early in their careers builds confidence and reduces hesitation.
Is Investing in Management Training Courses Still Worth It?
In an era where leadership is evolving, some organisations question whether investing in traditional management training courses is still necessary. The answer? Absolutely.
- Stronger Leadership Pipeline: Investing in management training ensures a steady flow of capable leaders who can step into roles as needed, preventing leadership gaps.
- Employee Engagement & Retention: Well-trained managers create positive work environments, reducing turnover and increasing job satisfaction.
- Adaptability in a Changing Workplace: Training helps managers develop critical skills in agility, problem-solving, and emotional intelligence; essential for leading in a dynamic business landscape.
- Business Performance & Growth: Organisations with well-equipped managers see improved team productivity, innovation, and overall business success.
The Crisp Approach: Developing Future-Ready Managers
At Crisp Professional Development, we believe that management roles must evolve to meet modern challenges. Our management courses strike a balance between traditional skills, such as delegation and performance management; and a forward-thinking behavioural mindset. We focus on agility, adaptability, and coaching-based leadership to prepare managers for the future.
In the future, we’ll explore the ‘Future Role of Management’ and how coaching skills will be an indispensable requirement for tomorrow’s leaders.
The question isn’t whether management is dead, it’s whether we are ready to redefine it.
If you’re interested in any of our management courses, or running a bespoke or tailored in-house course, please reach out and speak to us. Our team is happy to discuss and answer any questions or requirements you or your team may have.