EX-MIDDLE MANAGERS SPEAK OUT

If you wish the full story of how these changes impacted many middle-management people, listen to a few who dropped back into supervisory roles.

“I now have a new appreciation for what it means to be a working supervisor in today's lean and mean organization. The pace is hectic. The number of decisions I must make each day astounds me. In stepping down from middle management to supervisor, I should have received an increase in pay.”

“Returning to a supervisory role is a big reversal. Instead of pondering decisions, I have to make them fast; instead of assigning paperwork to others, I often must do it myself; instead of attending middle-management meetings, I must create training sessions that will give my 'team' a boost. No question about it, I should have had more respect for the job of the supervisor when I was supervising them. Talk about learning things the hard way. That's me!”

“As a working supervisor instead of a middle manager, I find myself more energized and each day goes faster. I have daily contact with real problems instead of trying to manipulate policies. Best of all, I can see the results of my 'team' immediately without waiting until the end of the month to get a written report. When I get back up into a higher management position I will know how to work with supervisors to make their roles easier instead of harder.”

What does it all mean?