The Challenges of Being a Modern Manager

Being a manager right now comes with numerous challenges, with many managers feeling disengaged and burnt out and looking for new job opportunities. This situation is exacerbated by the changing landscape of the workplace, which has evolved significantly since 2021. Managers are caught between the expectations of employees and leaders, leading to high levels of burnout. Several factors contribute to this challenging environment. Organizations have imposed additional job responsibilities on managers, restructured teams, and implemented budget cuts, resulting in more work for managers with fewer resources. Economic uncertainty has also led to layoff fears in some industries, adding to the pressure on managers.
Employees’ needs are going largely unmet, with issues like unclear expectations, disconnection from the organization’s mission, and lack of development opportunities contributing to low engagement. Employees are also seeking better work-life balance and feel that their well-being is not a priority for their employers. Remote and hybrid work arrangements have introduced coordination and culture challenges, further burdening managers who must enforce policies and balance employee autonomy. To address these challenges, organizations should work to improve leadership communication, provide more training and development for managers, offer coaching support to prevent burnout, and foster a community of shared accountability among managers.