MUDDLING THROUGH IS NO OPTION

Better Management for a Better Future

Every day, we witness the consequences of unmanaged organizations and failed leadership—some with minor inefficiencies, others with catastrophic results.

At first glance, this may not surprise casual observers. Yet, beneath the surface lies a chicken-and-egg dilemma: poor leadership weakens management, leading to cultural decay, stagnation, and ultimately, failure.

So where do we start?

We recognize that ‘unmanaged’ (not managed—akin to mismanaged) is a harsh reality, not just an anomaly. Many organizations muddle through, surviving rather than thriving. Good management is rare, outdated, and underutilized. While replacing ineffective leaders is a straightforward responsibility for boards, fixing management requires deeper, more strategic work.

Good Management is a Competitive Advantage

Research proves that better management directly correlates with higher profitability, growth, and productivity. It is:

• Human – Empowering people for peak performance.
• Holistic – Seeing the bigger picture of success.
• Systemic – Aligning leadership, culture, and execution.
• Unique – Creating a sustainable competitive edge.
• Emergent – Adapting to changing environments.
• Diagnostic – Understanding and addressing the root causes of failure.
• Interactive – Engaging teams in continuous improvement.

25 Years of Research – Proven Solutions

For over 25 years, Management Insights has studied 4,000 managers and experts across 500 organizations through our Global Executive Survey, uncovering what truly drives management excellence. Our findings are documented in leading books and research, including:

• People-Centric Management (Michel, 2013) – The human side of management.
• Agile by Choice (Michel, 2021) – Achieving peak performance in a dynamic world.
• The Performance Triangle (Michel, 2013) – A holistic framework for success.
• Better Management (Michel, 2022) – How to turn management into a competitive advantage.
• Management Design (Michel, 2021, 3rd Ed.) – The process of management innovation.
• Patterns of Mastery (Michel, Nold & Anzengruber, 2026) – The road to management mastery.
• The Transition of Organizations (Michel & Nold, 2023) – Navigating organizational evolution.

Uur research is peer-reviewed, presented at global conferences, and applied in organizations worldwide.

Why Isn’t Good Management the Norm?

Despite overwhelming evidence, good management is not widely adopted because:

• It is assumed to be good enough.
• Leaders believe they know best.
• Organizations underinvest in management innovation.

This status quo is unacceptable. Organizations that fail to evolve risk being left behind in today’s complex, fast-changing business environment.

The Path Forward – From ‘Unmanaged’ to Mastery

To escape ‘unmanaged’ chaos, organizations must adopt and adapt better management practices tailored to:

• People – Empower teams to thrive.
• Structure – Align management with strategy.
• Context – Ensure agility in a dynamic environment.

The solution? A proven, data-driven approach to better management.

Turn Management Into Your Competitive Advantage

Diagnostic Mentoring (Michel, 2021) and Management Design (Michel, 2022) offer diagnostic and interactive methodologies to assess and transform management.

Organization Twins—powered by our AI-driven Management Innovation Toolkit—provide real-time insights, predictive analytics, and tailored solutions to accelerate transformation.

Organizations that embrace this path don’t just manage—they master: strategic planning, organizational development, change management, business transformation, culture change, human resources, and leadership development.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

If you want to turn management into a true competitive advantage, let’s start the conversation.

Contact us   today to explore how we can help your organization evolve, innovate, and lead.

The future belongs to those who manage it well.