Middle Managers: Dinosaurs or Essential Glue? 7 | 4

Radical Candor: Communication at Work

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:

• 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

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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