SHRM National Conference 2026 · Orlando, FL · June 17, 2026
Middle leaders sit at the critical intersection between organizational strategy and everyday employee experience. In this SHRM National Conference session, Dr. Julie Armstrong explored why this often-overlooked group plays such an important role in shaping culture, driving execution, and helping organizations navigate change. Middle leaders are responsible for translating high-level priorities into practical action while also guiding the people who carry that work forward—making their effectiveness essential to both performance and engagement.
The session also highlighted the need for organizations to move beyond simply expecting middle managers to lead well and instead intentionally build their capacity to do so. Developing strong middle leaders means equipping them to lead people, manage performance, communicate across levels, and respond effectively to change. When organizations invest in this layer of leadership, they strengthen the connection between strategy and execution while building a healthier, more capable leadership culture from the middle out.