2440 "The Middle Manager’s Dilemma: To Lead or Be Led by AI?"

 

Yesterday marked the first day of the Cross Border Link (CBL) Week event, and the agenda was “Supporting Middle Managers in Business” through the lens of “Organization” and “Job Crafting.” The session highlighted the growing challenges faced by middle managers—a role that has become increasingly unpopular in recent years.

Interestingly, many employees today are hesitant to step into middle management positions, a stark contrast to the baby boomer generation, where climbing the corporate ladder was seen as a prestigious career milestone. For some companies, promotion to middle management was almost automatic, like stepping into an elevator that would take you to the next level.

But why is this role losing its appeal among newer generations?

Middle management often involves less decision-making power, yet it demands leadership skills, the responsibility of meeting KPIs, and managing the expectations of both senior executives and team members. This can leave middle managers feeling "sandwiched" between the C-suite and staff, burdened with expectations but lacking the authority to make impactful decisions.

Do organizations still need middle managers?

In my opinion, the future might see a diminished need for traditional middle management roles. AI and advanced IT solutions are increasingly capable of handling many of the tasks that middle managers typically perform. Much like how platform businesses have eliminated the need for mid-level traders, AI can provide accurate answers and insights based on vast amounts of data, often more efficiently than a human manager could.

Even in project management—a field in which I specialize—AI and IT could potentially take over, especially in traditional waterfall projects. These technologies might soon be better at tracking processes and adhering to plans than a human project manager.

However, if you're on the cusp of being promoted to a management position, I still encourage you to take the leap.

Why? Because stepping into management will give you the unique opportunity to see firsthand how IT and AI are reshaping the role. You’ll be in a position to manage these technologies, rather than simply playing under them. On the other hand, if you decline the promotion, you might find yourself perpetually in a subordinate role to these systems. Is that a situation you'd be comfortable with?

In the short term, middle management may not seem like the most attractive option.

We're in a transitional phase where management styles are evolving towards a more IT and AI-oriented approach. Additionally, you might currently have a manager who isn't particularly effective, which can add to the frustration. But remember, you have the potential to do better—and to shape the future of management in this changing landscape.