In a dynamic business environment, where organizations are becoming larger and more complex in their processes and structures, the role of mid-managers is becoming crucial for strategic progress. The Leader Roots program, through its educational platform and practical sessions, enables middle management to develop the most important skills needed to lead teams, make decisions and manage business processes in large companies. One of such sessions was held at Authority Partners, a company that stands out for its successful management model and development of managerial competencies in the information technology sector.
The success of large organizations depends not only on the vision of top management, but also on the ability of mid-managers to implement that vision into operational strategies. They are the bridge between strategic decisions and their implementation at the operational level. Precisely for this reason, mid-managers are not just task executors, but key strategic actors who ensure business continuity, adaptation to changes and employee development.
At the Leader Roots session at Authority Partners, speakers Elvis Pašić, Mirna Dajanović and Amila Kurtović-Buđevac shared their experiences on the role of mid-managers in large companies. The challenges faced by companies with a large number of employees were discussed, such as how to ensure that management staff is flexible and innovative enough, while at the same time respecting procedural requirements.
During the session, Amila Kurtović-Buđevac, Head of Talent Management at Authority Partners, spoke about the challenges and strategies that Authority Partners uses in developing managers within complex organizational structures. She looked at the approach to developing mid-managers and the key competencies necessary for successfully leading teams.
“Authority Partners approaches the development of mid-level managers through structured training programs, mentoring support and continuous performance evaluations. We consider them key drivers of business strategy because they connect the vision of senior management with operational implementation. Our focus is on developing strategic thinking, team leadership, effective communication and agility, which are competencies that enable managers to successfully navigate a dynamic IT environment,” she said.
Kurtović-Buđevac also addressed communication challenges: “One of the biggest challenges in an organization with a large number of employees is ensuring effective communication between different levels of management. To overcome this, we use structured communication channels, regular meetings and transparent decision-making processes. A culture of open communication and two-way feedback allows us to ensure that key messages reach all employees in a timely and clear manner.”
On the balance between standardized processes and the need for flexibility in leading teams within the IT sector, she said: “In the information technology sector, the balance between standardized processes and agility is key. Authority Partners applies the principle of “structured flexibility”, where clearly defined procedures ensure top quality of services and business stability, while at the same time allowing teams and managers to adapt to specific challenges. By using agile methodologies, we achieve a balance between efficiency, innovation and adaptability, which allows us to react quickly to changes and continuously improve the way we work.”
We asked her if they had encountered the problem of ‘bottlenecks’ in management processes, where information or decisions do not reach the operational level in an efficient manner, and how they solved it.
“In large organizations, bottlenecks often occur in the decision-making and implementation process. To eliminate them, Authority Partners continuously improves information flows, clearly defines responsibilities and empowers managers to make decisions at the right level. Transparency, constant coordination and data analysis are key elements of our approach, allowing us to timely recognize and remove obstacles that can slow down the decision-making process,” explained Kurtović-Buđevac.
Finally, she emphasized that middle-level managers at Authority Partners are not just operational executors, but strategic leaders who shape the future of the company. Their development is supported through specialized leadership programs through the Authority Partners Academy as well as engagement in strategic projects. They focus on developing their analytical and leadership skills, ensuring that they have the capacity not only to manage teams, but also to contribute to the company’s long-term strategy. Through these initiatives, they build a culture in which managers become drivers of innovation and a key pillar of organizational success.
