Group 1 - U.S. job postings for middle management roles were approximately 42% lower in late 2025 compared to April 2022, indicating a significant decline in available positions [1] - Companies are flattening their organizational structures to reduce costs and enhance decision-making speed, leading to fewer management openings despite the ongoing need for middle management functions [2] - The primary role of middle managers involves translating expectations and priorities between senior leadership and operational teams, ensuring effective communication and actionable steps [3] Group 2 - Middle managers serve as a vital link within organizations, gathering insights from various levels and facilitating collaboration across functional silos [4] - As organizations become flatter, often due to cost-cutting measures, middle managers can enhance their value by fostering communication and sharing insights among peers [4] - Effective collaboration led by middle managers can reduce friction within organizations and align teams with overarching objectives [4]

Keily Blair, the CEO of OnlyFans since July 2023, says that if there is one thing she cannot abide, it’s “that squidgy layer of middle management” that large companies frequently develop. She actively refuses to hire middle managers, she said on stage at the MEO arena at Web Summit in Lisbon on Thursday. Of course, Blair has the luxury of having only 42 employees, so living without project managers and office administrators is easier than it was at her previous employers, which include the law firm Orrick ...