Why people management is a dead end – and what Maltese CEOs can do instead

In today’s fast-paced business world, many Maltese leaders pride themselves on being excellent managers. But according to Daphne Grech Cumbo, coach, trainer, and speaker, the traditional notion of people management is outdated – and possibly even harmful.

“People management is a dead end,” Ms Grech Cumbo recently stated on LinkedIn. Her post invites leaders to rethink their approach: Focusing less on managing individuals and more on developing their teams holistically.

She argues that when leaders become too focused on managing people, they unintentionally take their attention away from developing them. Even if top leaders are personally committed to professional growth, the question remains: Are their key managers and supervisors fostering the same spirit of development within their own teams?

Ms Grech Cumbo points out that most leaders are exceptionally trained in managing processes. This becomes a problem when, during busy periods, they apply the same methods to managing people. “It happens slowly, almost invisibly, as teams grow,” she observes.

But people are not processes – and this distinction is critical. “People don’t like being told what to do,” she says. Instead, employees want to feel supported, seen, and valued so they can deliver their best work and contribute meaningfully to the team. If they feel overly controlled or micromanaged, they are likely to take their talents elsewhere.

For CEOs, the takeaway here is clear: The focus should shift from managing people to managing the process of team development. As Ms Grech Cumbo puts it, “management is required to uphold the process which sets up the team for success and lifts the pressure off managing the people instead – making room for the more human approach to flourish.”

This perspective offers a timely reminder for Malta’s business leaders. While management remains crucial, it should serve as a framework that enables personal growth, innovation, and engagement – not as a mechanism for control. By fostering a development-focused culture, leaders can unlock the full potential of their teams and drive sustainable success.

Ultimately, Ms Grech Cumbo’s message calls on CEOs to reflect: Are your managers simply keeping the machine running, or are they nurturing the human potential within it? The answer could shape the future of your business.