Perspectives: Quiet Cracking

How HR can recognize and solve the silent management crisis

Are your middle managers silently crumbling under pressure?

Middle managers are silently struggling under impossible workloads and pressures, but they won’t speak up for fear of appearing weak or damaging their careers—a phenomenon known as “quiet cracking” (see HR Dive and Forbes for more on this new term). This hidden crisis presents a critical leadership opportunity for HR professionals to step up, bridge the gap between struggling managers and business leaders and become the strategic voice their organizations desperately need. Join us to learn how to spot the warning signs, advocate effectively for your managers and position yourself as a solution-focused human-centric leader who can turn fractures into foundations.

In this timely webinar, we will:

  • Identify the subtle warning signs of quiet cracking in middle managers who won’t self-advocate for help.
  • Discover proven strategies for approaching business leaders about management struggles without damaging manager relationships or careers.
  • Learn how to proactively support overwhelmed managers who are reluctant to admit they’re struggling or ask for assistance.
  • Explore techniques for reframing manager support as leadership development rather than crisis intervention to encourage engagement.
  • Uncover systematic approaches to address root causes of quiet cracking including workload management and resource allocation issues.

Bonus for our live attendees… tune in for 1 HRCI and 1 SHRM credit!

Panelists

Mary Poffenroth, Ph.D.
she/her
Biopsychologist, Keynote Speaker, SJSU Faculty, and Author of Brave New You
Nibal Petro Henderson
she/her
Director of Talent Development,
ECG Management Consultants
Heather Haas
she/her
CEO + Owner of ADVISA,
Elite Certified Partner of the Predictive Index
Matt Poepsel, PhD
he/him
Vice President and The Godfather of Talent Optimization,
The Predictive Index

Hema Crockett, she/her

Co-Founder, Gig Talent

Jackie Dube, she/her

SVP of People Operations

Download worksheet

Explore other episodes

Perspectives: Future-Ready HR
Perspectives: Future-Ready HR

Bold Predictions for 2026 The workplace is shifting faster than ever, and HR’s role in this transformation isn’t optional—it’s essential. We’re moving from transactional support functions to strategic architects of the future of work. This is HR’s moment to lead the conversation. While executives focus on quarterly results and operations teams manage daily workflows, HR…

Perspectives: AI in HR
Perspectives: The Role of HR in AI Adoption

Talent Before Technology AI is rapidly transforming the workplace, and the success of its adoption hinges on the human element. It’s less about the technology and more about how employees experience and adapt to these changes. This is HR’s moment to manifest a mindset shift. We need HR leadership to ensure AI rollout is as…

Perspectives: The Business of HR
Perspectives: The Business of HR

Transforming people strategy into measurable business value HR has always been expected to be business-relevant, but what does that actually mean in 2026 – and beyond? It’s no longer just about being SHRM- or HRCI-certified.  Today’s HR leaders must demonstrate clear business acumen and drive tangible value, while wrestling with both traditional compliance demands and…

Copy link