Insperity Study Reveals How Effective Managers Can Drive Business Success and Workplace Culture
Only 1 in 5 frontline employees say managers exceed expectations, despite nearly half of executives believing otherwise
The Gap
Nearly half of executives surveyed say managers are doing an excellent job, but only 1 in 5 frontline employees agree. According to the research, executives are more optimistic about manager performance than the managers themselves, as only
The research reveals three key barriers keeping managers from reaching their full potential:
- Overwhelming workloads: Nearly one-third of managers say competing demands prevent them from focusing on high-impact leadership.
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Excessive administrative responsibilities: When administrative tasks exceed
20% of a manager’s time, the risk of burnout rises significantly. - Insufficient leadership preparation: Many managers, especially first-time leaders, are promoted without the adequate training and support needed to lead effectively.
“Middle managers are among the most underutilized drivers of business performance,” said Kathy Johnson, Insperity executive vice president of strategic development. “These leaders translate vision into action, making them key to shaping the future of business. Companies that focus on developing middle managers unlock retention, growth and long-term resilience.”
Closing the Gap
When managers perform well, companies thrive. The research reveals:
- Companies with high-performing managers are over 2x more likely to report business success.
- Employees with managers who surpass their expectations are 4x more likely to understand and align with the company’s vision and goals.
- Employees with effective managers are 5x more likely to report a healthy workplace culture - reinforcing the manager's role in shaping the foundation of every organization.
The study identifies five key practices linked to stronger manager performance and overall business success:
- Communication: Facilitate clear, two-way dialogue between leadership and employees to improve alignment and execution.
- Development: Build team capabilities through coaching, feedback and training opportunities.
- Empowerment: Provide clarity, resources and trust to enable employees to own their work and drive results.
- Recognition: Acknowledge achievements in meaningful ways to boost morale and retention.
- Culture-building: Foster an inclusive, values-driven environment where people feel connected and motivated.
To learn more about the research and download the complete “Cracking the Code on Manager Impact: Closing the Gap Between Perception and Performance” report, click here.
* The online survey of 1,000
About Insperity
Since 1986, Insperity’s mission has been to help businesses succeed so communities prosper. Offering a suite of the most comprehensive, scalable HR solutions available in the marketplace, Insperity is defined by an unrivaled breadth and depth of services and level of care. Through an optimal blend of premium HR service and technology, Insperity delivers the administrative relief, reduced liabilities and better benefit solutions that businesses need to drive performance and growth. With 2024 revenues of
About Insperity North Star Network
The Insperity North Star Network (NSN) is a thought leadership initiative empowering business leaders to build better workplaces and navigate the future with confidence. Backed by proprietary research and expert insights, NSN delivers practical solutions focused on people and culture, helping leaders meet today’s challenges and tomorrow’s opportunities.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251007105725/en/
News Media Contact:
Cynthia Murga
Director, Public Relations
713-324-1414
Media@insperity.com
Source: Insperity, Inc.
