Middle Managers: Dinosaurs or Essential Glue? 7 | 4

What happens when you gut the glue holding your team together? Is middle management really dead weight, or are we cutting off the wrong limb? In this episode, Amy and Jason take on the hype around “The Great Flattening” and call out the risks of gutting the layer that keeps organizations running smoothly. Sure, middle managers have their flaws—what role doesn’t? But eliminating them entirely isn’t the brilliant shortcut some leaders think it is. They dig into how this trend often creates chaos, undermines team engagement, and leaves critical gaps in communication and strategy. Spoiler: quick fixes and vague promises of efficiency don’t replace the value of solid leadership and strong relationships. With sharp insights and actionable advice, this conversation is a wake-up call for anyone buying into the flattening trend without a second thought. Skeptical? Maybe. But sometimes you need a little tough love to see what’s really at stake. Get all of the show notes at RadicalCandor.com/podcast. Episode Links: Transcript What Do Managers Of Managers Do? | Radical Candor Podcast S4, Ep.16 Who Wants To Be A Manager? | Radical Candor Podcast S6, Ep.14 Should I Be A Manager? | Radical Candor Podcast S5, Ep.25 Middle Manager Hiring Has Plunged, And Those Jobs May Never Come Back | Business Insider Don’t Eliminate Your Middle Managers | HBR Amazon's Great Un-bossing: Why Eliminating Middle Managers Could Hurt Employee Engagement 😮 It’s Time To Rethink The Role Of The Middle Manager | Mckinsey The Resurrection Of The Middle Manager | Achurch Heroes Or Villains? Recasting Middle Management Roles, Processes, And Behaviours | Tarakci The Hidden Risks Of Eliminating Middle Managers: A Critical Insight Mass Layoffs Often Hit Middle Managers. The Cuts Are Largely Short-Sighted | BBC Who Wants To Be A Manager? | Radical Candor Podcast S6, Ep.14 The Measurement Problem | Radical Candor Podcast S3, Ep.7 How To Get Shit Done | Radical Candor Podcast S4, Ep.2 Connect: Website Instagram TikTok LinkedIn YouTube Chapters: (00:00:00) Introduction Jason and Amy introduce the topic of eliminating middle management. (00:02:17) The Great Flattening Explained The trend of eliminating middle management roles in organizations. (00:05:37) Blaming Middle Managers Why middle managers are often seen as costly and ineffective. (00:10:00) The Role of Middle Managers The role middle managers play in strategy, coaching, and alignment. (00:15:21) Risks of Flattening Organizations The unintended consequences of cutting middle management. (00:20:10) Case for Middle Management Tips for demonstrating the value of middle managers to leadership. (00:25:29) Redefining Middle Management How organizations can reshape the role to meet modern demands. (00:33:11) Radical Candor Tips Practical tips for navigating The Great Flattening. (00:35:07) Conclusion Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices