Staffing Strategy: Grow Your Middle Management

Editor's Note

Intentional work to grow leaders is an organizational strategy happening in hospitals across the country to target and prevent a higher level of leadership turnover, according to a November 5 news story in Becker’s Hospital Review. The article discussed how healthcare facilities are pursuing more internal development of individuals in front-line and middle management roles by offering more access to training, coaching and career development opportunities.

For example, it was reported that Snoqualmie Valley Health in Washington is creating staff development opportunities internally with help from a director role focused on organizational culture. Their described goal was to strengthen engagement and communication through self-awareness, career coaching, and collaborations across departments.

The article also discussed efforts to build internal talent through skills development, lateral moves and connecting middle management with career ladder opportunities through professional development, including digital learning resources.  

While financial pressures to downsize staff were acknowledged, interviewed experts shared that they are seeing an increase in more blended leadership roles, such as combining director and manager responsibilities supported through internal skills development training. They noted that this increase in internal support for career growth can be another way to support leader retention.