Episode #296 // I produced a podcast episode over 4 years ago, titled “The Curse of the Middle Manager”. So, when I recently came across an HBR article that signaled a resurgence in middle management roles, I figured it was time to take another look!In many businesses, the role of the middle manager is by far the toughest. If you’re in that position now, you’ll know exactly what I mean.You’re effectively the meat in the sandwich — the punching bag for both your team (who often don’t want to change the way they do things), and the senior leaders above you (who sometimes just want you to do as you’re told, without discussion).Middle managers are often the most unloved (and unrewarded) people in an organization. But here’s the essential lens you need to look through: middle management is the petri dish in which senior leaders are identified, developed, and hatched.I’m dedicating today’s episode to the middle manager, so that you can not just learn how to survive the cauldron, but to grow, thrive, and move onto bigger and better things!No Bullsh!t Leadership podcast:Ep.74: The Curse of the Middle ManagerEp.267: Management vs LeadershipEp.53: Don’t Overdo CollaborationHBR Working Knowledge article:The Middle Manager of the Future: More Coaching, Less CommandingClay Christensen books:The Innovator’s DilemmaThe Innovator’s Solution————————FREE QUIZ: I’ve developed a 3-question quiz that’ll give you a free personalized podcast playlist tailored to where you are right now in your leadership career!Click here to take the 30-second quiz now———————— Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.