Moving the Middle
Unlocking the potential of the middle 60%
Moving the Middle is a concept that refers to the process of unlocking the potential of the middle 60% of team members, who have the capacity to be top performers but haven't arrived yet. By motivating and supporting these team members, leaders can create a culture of high performance and improve overall team results.
- Motivate new and better behavior
- Provide active input and engagement
- Recognize and celebrate successes
- Help individual team members become high performers
- Identify the Middle 60%Identify the team members who have the capacity to be top performers but haven't arrived yet.Pro tipUse data and metrics to track progress and identify areas for improvement.WarningAvoid neglecting the needs of individual team members, which can lead to disengagement.
- Motivate New and Better BehaviorMotivate new and better behavior in the middle 60% of team members.Pro tipUse coaching and feedback to support team members in improving their performance.WarningAvoid relying solely on authority or coercion, which can lead to resistance and disengagement.
- Provide Active Input and EngagementProvide active input and engagement opportunities for the middle 60% of team members.Pro tipUse brainstorming and feedback sessions to encourage participation and engagement.WarningAvoid neglecting the needs of individual team members, which can lead to disengagement.
- Recognize and Celebrate SuccessesRecognize and celebrate successes and achievements of the middle 60% of team members.Pro tipUse public recognition and rewards to motivate and engage team members.WarningAvoid neglecting the needs of individual team members, which can lead to disengagement.
The hospital improved its performance by motivating and supporting the middle 60% of team members.
The hotel chain improved its profitability and customer satisfaction by motivating and supporting the middle 60% of team members.
The concept of Moving the Middle was developed by the authors of the 4DX framework, who recognized the importance of motivating and supporting the middle 60% of team members to achieve high performance.