Mind the Middle: Managers in a Boom-to-Zoom World

Description

Managers often find themselves caught in the middle, not only between executives and staff but also between the needs, expectations, and work styles of multiple generations. This training focuses on the unique challenges managers face when leading teams that span from early-career professionals to seasoned veterans. We’ll explore the real-world tensions of juggling differing priorities, navigating communication breakdowns, and keeping everyone motivated when perspectives on work and leadership may clash. Through scenarios, group discussion, and practical tools, participants will learn how to strengthen their influence, create clarity amidst competing demands, and build trust across age groups. This session is designed for managers who want to feel less “stuck in the middle” and more equipped to turn generational differences into opportunities for stronger, more resilient teams. 

Learning Outcomes 

• Recognize the distinct pressures middle managers face in intergenerational contexts 
• Develop strategies to balance executive expectations with team needs 
• Practice communication approaches that adapt effectively across generations 
• Build skills for addressing and reducing friction when values or work styles collide 
• Gain tools to create a team culture where differences enhance, rather than hinder, collaboration

When:
Tuesday, October 28, 2025, 12:00PM to 1:30 PM MT (online)

Who Should Attend:
This training is ideal for nonprofit leaders, executives, managers, program directors, board members, HR professionals, emerging leaders, and consultants. Anyone responsible for guiding teams or organizations through uncertainty, change, or crisis will gain valuable strategies for building resilience, fostering trust, and making confident decisions.

Cost:
UNA Members: $45 | Not-Yet-Members: $90

About Our Speaker:

Sarah Bishop is the founder and CEO of Coneflower Consulting, a consulting firm empowering mission-driven organizations in the nonprofit, academic, and government sectors with sustainable strategies for creative growth. Sarah also serves as Assistant Teaching Professor of Management at the School of Business at the University of Utah and as the Humanities Grant Consultant for the University of Southern California-Dornsife. She has a B.A. from Northwestern University and a Ph.D. from the University of Virginia.