Celebrating the ‘Elvis of the Grill’

Are you a leader, consultant, coach or trainer? Join Belongify and get certified!

Also, please feel free to check out the new Belongify Patreon page here.

Who is the “Elvis of your Grill?” There is likely more than one, and these people are the core of your business, and oversee delivery of the daily work. They are often referred to as middle management. The folks at well heeled global consulting firm, McKinsey & Co., think that learning how to love middle managers is one of the top priorities for all CEOs in 2024. The following is from a recent McKinsey newsletter.

“Waffle House, an American restaurant chain, is famous for never closing; some say its doors have no locks. It should also be famous for its management philosophy. The restaurant’s grill operators are the stars of the show; after years of training, the best get to be called ‘Elvis of the grill.’ After that, they don’t get promoted; how do you top being King? But most other companies would likely promote such people into senior management roles that they don’t want and are not suited for. Companies need to rethink their philosophy about middle managers and recognize them for what they actually are: the core of the company.”

This group is often the most undervalued part of the organization. They live in a constant world of paradox leadership; pushing down the wishes of top management, while navigating the realities of managing front line people. Too often, executives think of this mid-level group as permafrost-like resistance. And the front line can regularly see this group as mediocre gatekeepers between them and the real decision makers.

So what if we ALL viewed this group as A KEY source of accelerating progress? What if we equipped them for greater success? What if we treated them as the “kings/queens of the grill”. Yes, there is merit when the top floor connects with the shop floor. However, it doesn’t have to be a run around middle management. This overworked, undervalued group should be more fully appreciated for their core importance in organizations. That’s what happens in organizations with the most advanced cultures.

I think McKinsey is doing organizations and CEOs a service by shining a light on middle management, and challenging us to better leverage this group. What do you think?

Think Big, Start Small, Act Now,

- Lorne

One Millennial View: Often compared to a forgotten middle child, one search on middle management will yield multiple articles outlining how stuck this position can make people feel. According to a 2023 global survey in this Fortune article, 46 percent of middle managers were likely to quit due to the stress of juggling frontline and C-Suite expectations. If there’s less conversation, and no action, no wonder these Elvis’ have some suspicious minds when it comes to feeling appreciated for their contributions.

- Garrett

Edited and published by Garrett Rubis.

Celebrating the ‘Elvis of the Grill’

Search Blog Posts:

Follow Us: