When Middle Managers Thrive, Organizations Thrive

Across the country, behavioral health organizations are navigating extraordinary change — shifting policies, rising demand, workforce strain and evolving expectations for leadership. At the center of it all are middle managers. They turn strategy into action, steady teams through uncertainty and ensure clients get the care they deserve — often without the preparation, clarity or community they need.

In the Dec. 10 episode of Wellbeing Wednesdays, we spoke with Jeanne Supin, MA, longtime faculty lead of the National Council’s Middle Management Academy (MMA), to explore why middle managers are essential to organizational health — and how MMA has shaped more than two decades of leadership development. Her insights reveal a powerful truth: When middle managers thrive, organizations thrive.

Here are five key takeaways from the conversation:

1. Middle managers are the bridge between leaders’ vision and clients’ reality

Supin describes middle managers as the bridge between vision and reality, the people who take organizational goals and bring them to life to benefit staff and clients. Investing in them isn’t optional. It’s foundational to strong teams, high-quality care and resilient organizations.

2. Today’s managers need space as well as tools

MMA has evolved significantly since 2002. Early on, the priority was giving new supervisors every tool possible. Today, Supin also emphasizes the importance of creating space — time to think, reflect and reconnect with purpose. With larger workloads than ever, participants need more than management tactics; they need room to process challenges and rediscover what kind of leader they want to be.

3. Practical skills still matter — and MMA delivers

For nearly 25 years, MMA has helped thousands of supervisors step into leadership with confidence. While the field has changed, the core questions managers ask have stayed remarkably consistent: How do I motivate my team? How do I give clear feedback? How do I navigate tough conversations? MMA remains grounded in practical, immediately applicable skills — from restructuring team meetings and communicating expectations to building psychologically safe workplaces.

4. Community reduces the isolation of leadership

One of the most powerful aspects of MMA is the connection it creates. Whether the cohort reaches nationwide or comes from one organization, managers discover they’re not alone in their struggles. Supin sees frontline supervisors, directors and even C-suite leaders learn from one another, often sitting side by side in ways that break down hierarchy and build trust. That sense of belonging is as transformative as the skills themselves.

5. The next era of leadership development is hybrid and inclusive

As it nears its 25th anniversary, MMA is making leadership development more accessible. Managers can participate in the classic four-day, in-person experience or a new virtual masterclass—combining self-paced content with live sessions—launching in 2026. Both tracks honor the program’s core values of authenticity, connection and real-world applicability.

The challenges facing behavioral health won’t be solved by any single role, but middle managers will always be at the heart of the solution. By equipping them with skills, community and confidence, MMA strengthens teams, improves care and helps create workplaces where people can lead with purpose. The National Council is proud to support that growth. Watch the episode or listen to the podcast to learn more.