Want to know how to make your organization more productive? Stop ignoring your middle children.
Let’s define middle child syndrome: This occurs when a middle child – typically in a family of three kids, who are close in age, feels left out or neglected. The oldest sibling is the first born and typically an over-achiever. They are often perceived as the most important child and get the most privileges. A younger sibling is the “baby” of a family and gets away with more as well as being the most looked-after.
Your workplace is not a family but there are middle children. No matter the size of your organization, you’ve probably felt neglected like a middle child.
Remember back in school when the teachers seemed to give a lot of extra attention to either the smart or the unruly. If you were in the middle, where most exist, you didn’t get any special treatment.
A similar scenario exists on the job. The top performers are given praise, perks, and opportunities for growth that kids in the middle can only dream of receiving. Those who underperform, are often allowed to stink on the job. Accommodations are provided for them and often the people in the middle have to pick up the slack.
If you want to Clear the Path to higher productivity, stop taking those in the middle for granted. Think of it this way: They have the biggest upside because the people who are really good, aren’t going to get much better. And the bottom feeders aren’t likely to suddenly get a clue. The best they can ever dream of is becoming average.
So why not focus more attention on the largest group that has the most potential for growth? Nurture these people, give them opportunities to learn, and keep them from getting so fed up with you that they take their talents elsewhere.
People don’t enjoy being stuck in the middle with you.
