In the lively community of Harborne, strong leadership is the backbone of every successful business, school, and organization. Yet, while much attention is given to leading teams or managing projects, there is one critical skill that often goes unnoticed: managing managers. This simple, powerful skill can make or break the performance of businesses across Harborne, but it is sometimes overshadowed by more familiar leadership topics.
Why Managing Managers Matter in Harborne
Harborne is home to growing businesses, innovative startups, and long-standing institutions, each with its unique set of challenges. As organizations expand, leaders find themselves not just guiding individual staff but managing managers who have teams of their own. If we ignore this layer, even the best strategies can fall flat.
Managing managers means shaping the people who shape your teams. It is a skill that ensures your values, vision, and ways of working spread through every level. In Harborne’s competitive market, this can be the factor that sets one organization apart from another.
Key Elements of Managing Managers
Clear Communication
Leaders in Harborne must set simple, clear goals for their managers. Regular meetings, whether in a local café or office, keep everyone aligned. When managers understand what is expected of them and why, they perform better and support their teams more effectively.
Building Trust
Trust is the heart of Harborne’s community. Give managers the space to make decisions. Step back, but be available when they need support. By giving trust instead of micro-managing, leaders help managers grow and learn from their choices.
Coaching, Not Controlling
Every manager in Harborne is different, with their strengths and areas to develop. Instead of telling managers what to do, act more like a coach. Offer advice, ask for their ideas, and help them solve problems. Coaching builds confidence and independent thinking.
Sharing Feedback
Managers need feedback, just like any employee. In Harborne, giving feedback can be as simple as a private chat after a team meeting or a brief talk during a walk in the park. Make feedback regular to focus on what is working and what can be improved.
Empowering Growth
Give managers in Harborne the chance to learn and grow. Training, mentorship, and opportunities to take on new projects can keep managers motivated and ready for new challenges. When managers get better, their teams and the whole organization get better too.

Overcoming Common Hurdles
In Harborne, as in many places, leaders can fall into common traps. They may focus only on the numbers or projects, forgetting the people who drive results. Or they might step in too often, leaving managers feeling powerless. To avoid these issues, remember to ask managers what they need, listen to their concerns, and work together to solve problems.
Conclusion: A Lasting Legacy
Managing managers well is more than a leadership skill; it is a legacy. In Harborne, where each business and institution is part of a close-knit community, investing in this skill creates strong leaders for future generations. Instead of being a forgotten skill, managing managers should be at the core of every leadership journey here.
By making this a focus, Harborne organizations can lead with strength, kindness, and lasting success.