Working Up

by Dwayne Phillips

Why do we wonder why middle managers don’t seem to do anything useful. That is the definition of “middle.”

We disdain the “man in the middle.” He or she doesn’t seem to do anything but cause greater expense.

We disdain the middle managers. They don’t do anything but add levels to the bureaucracy and raise prices.

Well, what do we expect? Middle managers manage the work in the middle. They aren’t at the working level directly influencing the products and services. They aren’t at the high level affecting the overall direction of an organization and its products and services.

They are in the middle because they aren’t good at the other levels. If they were brilliant in some other way, they would be working in some other way in some other job.

Don’t be surprised if those occupying the middle tier aren’t great. That is why they are in the middle tier. They can’t do the work any longer and they don’t have the vision, spark, or personal influence as those at the top.

They are probably good people. They are probably good neighbors, good siblings, good spouses, etc. They just aren’t brilliant at other jobs. Let’s live with that.