Middle managers have always been under pressure, but the expectations of the role are changing fast. Managers today sit between strategy and reality. They’re expected to deliver performance, support wellbeing, navigate constant change, and increasingly manage hybrid and digital teams.

And yet most managers still receive little formal preparation for the role.

  • 82% of managers enter leadership without formal training (CMI)
  • Managers account for 70% of the difference in employee engagement (Gallup)
  • Only 6% of Gen Z say their goal is to reach senior leadership (Deloitte)

So, how should organisations rethink the role of the manager?

In this live discussion, leaders from PwC, Morgan Stanley and Marks & Spencer share how they’re supporting managers in very different environments, from global professional services firms to frontline retail teams.

Together they explored:

  • Why the manager role is becoming harder, not easier
  • What actually separates great managers from ineffective ones
  • How organisations are supporting managers in high-pressure environments
  • How to scale leadership capability across large organisations