The modern middle manager is under pressure from all sides. This is hardly surprising given the current economic turmoil. However, when it comes to downsizing, it is often the middle managers who are first to go. This is often short sighted as these are the people who are responsible for actually managing the majority of the workforce and ensuring that customers are kept happy.

On the other hand, many middle managers have been promoted to their positions, not because they are recognised as professional managers but because they were good at the job they did before being promoted to manager.

This probably helps explain why middle managers are seeing the value of management training courses more than ever before. After all they cannot rely on gut instinct and working ever longer hours.

Middle managers need to be able to fight for their jobs. They need to demonstrate that they understand the latest in management theories. Even more importantly they should be able to show how to apply these theories.

The more involved in your personal development you become, the more you will be able to motivate those around you. Ensure that your communication skills, in particular, are at their best.