At any given moment, individuals around the world are working in every conceivable context. For some, it’s energizing–a place where people work to make the world a better place. For others, it’s just a job, and while it pays the bills, it’s a benign experience they could take or leave. The difference often comes down to one significant factor: The Middle Manager.  Middle managers are the multiplier (or detractor) It may sound obvious that direct supervisors shape employee experience. But what’s less obvious is just how much they matter. Gallup estimates that managers account for roughly 70 percent of the variance in employee engagement; McKinsey research shows that relationships with immediate managers are among the top determinants of employee satisfaction and performance; and Aon Hewitt reports that when leaders are engaged, their teams are about 40 percent more likely to be engaged. The data does all the talking: middle management will make or break employee experience, and your organization’s bottom line. Here’s the thing: managers are no different from your children’s teachers and coaches. A …