It’s become fashionable over the years to have a go at middle managers. They tend to get blamed for everything that is wrong in an organisation. These plodding mediocrities stifle innovation. Even if they don’t stop change altogether, they slow it down, as the initial energy and enthusiasm gets sapped by layers of bureaucracy. Wouldn’t it be better if the C-suite could just engage with the front line without all those jobsworths getting in the way? Really, it would be better if they were all fired. They’ll none of ’em be missed.
The article criticising middle managers is a hardy perennial. It’s second only to those tedious pieces making fun of corporate jargon. Stuck for what to write in your business column this month? Have another go at middle managers.
The idea that organisations can get rid of middle managers is seductive and aligns neatly with many other management ideas that…
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