Middle Management Obsolescence indicator - January 2025

Written By Matthieu Jaunatre

The average Middle Management Obsolescence (MMO) score across the referenced articles is 5.41. This reflects the current balance: middle management is neither being entirely eliminated nor fully insulated from change.

While some articles suggest obsolescence due to flattening hierarchies and automation, others underscore the indispensable value middle managers bring to leadership, culture, and strategy.

This article explores how middle managers can effectively implement organizational strategy. It provides practical advice and tools to bridge the gap between high-level strategy and day-to-day execution.

MMO Score: 7.5

The article highlights the disconnect between middle managers, lower-level employees, and strategic vision. It discusses how middle management plays a pivotal role in aligning employees with organizational goals but often lacks access to clear communication channels or big-picture insights.

MMO Score: 5

The article lists books that focus on leadership techniques, including how middle managers can influence decisions across organizational hierarchies. It emphasizes actionable advice to inspire lateral influence and innovative thinking among peers. MMO Score: 7.5

The article explores how self-directed teams operate effectively with high levels of autonomy, including control over work pace, task allocation, and collaboration. It highlights the potential for such teams to replace traditional middle management roles in certain high-growth companies.
MMO Score: 2.5

This article discusses the growing disinterest of Gen Z professionals in middle management positions, citing stress, lack of rewards, and perceptions of low value in these roles. It underscores a generational shift in workplace priorities and career aspirations.
MMO Score: 7.5

This article examines trends in corporate structures, including the adoption of flatter hierarchies by companies like Meta and Bayer. It emphasizes how middle management layers are being reduced in favor of self-directed and agile teams.
MMO Score: 2.5

The article highlights the ethical influence of middle managers, portraying them as vital in upholding an organization's moral integrity. It shares survey insights emphasizing the need for managers who can inspire trust and lead with principles.
MMO Score: 7.5

This piece explores the rise of "pods," small, autonomous teams, as a replacement for traditional middle management structures. It discusses how advancements in AI are automating administrative tasks previously handled by middle managers.
MMO Score: 0

This video examines why Gen Z professionals are increasingly reluctant to pursue middle management roles, citing stress, inadequate rewards, and the desire for work-life balance. It reflects broader workplace trends reshaping career trajectories.
MMO Score: 7.5

The article argues that middle managers are crucial for aligning teams with organizational goals and fostering a positive work culture. It presents data and expert opinions on how they drive success in a workplace.
MMO Score: 10

This article reviews Bayer's decision to eliminate most middle management roles to cut costs and its long-term impact. It discusses the challenges that emerged, including loss of coordination and increased pressure on remaining leaders.
MMO Score: 5

The article outlines strategies for organizations and employees to succeed in workplaces with minimal managerial oversight. It emphasizes collaborative tools, agile decision-making, and clear accountability structures.
MMO Score: 0

This piece highlights the importance of middle managers in building inclusive cultures. It emphasizes that middle managers must go beyond diversity hiring by actively fostering environments of equity and inclusion.
MMO Score: 7.5

The article discusses the generational shift in leadership preferences, noting that middle managers are perceived as stressed and underappreciated. It introduces "conscious unbossing" as a leadership model that could redefine management roles.
MMO Score: 6

This article explores the rebranding of middle management roles as "executive fellows," focusing on mentorship and cross-functional collaboration, positioning these roles as critical to modern organizations.
MMO Score: 7

The article suggests roles that prepare leaders for future opportunities, emphasizing how middle management jobs remain a key stepping stone, even as organizations streamline management layers.
MMO Score: 5

This article details Meta's workforce reduction strategy, which includes significant cuts to middle management layers as part of an efficiency initiative.
MMO Score: 3

The article emphasizes the critical role middle managers play in shaping leadership teams, recommending investments in their development to ensure organizational resilience and effectiveness.
MMO Score: 7.5

This article explores how middle managers struggle with translating senior management directives into actionable plans, advocating for better tools and empowerment to support transformation efforts.
MMO Score: 6

Summary: This article discusses how the return-to-office policies at Amazon have caused friction among employees. While upper management often drives such decisions, middle managers are caught between implementing unpopular policies and addressing team dissatisfaction. This highlights the challenging dynamics of middle management roles in large corporations.
MMO Score: 5

Summary: Managers in their mid-career often experience a professional crossroads, facing burnout and diminished career growth opportunities. The article emphasizes the pressure on middle managers to adapt to changing roles and expectations while supporting teams.
MMO Score: 7.5

Summary: Middle managers play a key role in implementing ESG strategies, yet many feel disconnected from senior leadership's goals. This disconnection challenges their ability to drive meaningful change.
MMO Score: 5

Summary: Even in illicit enterprises, middle management plays a significant role, resembling corporate structures. This highlights the ubiquity and adaptability of middle management in various environments.
MMO Score: 7.5

Summary: The UK civil service is criticized for being bloated with middle managers, many of whom were over-promoted to bypass pay freezes. This raises questions about the efficiency of hierarchical structures in public administration.
MMO Score: 2.5

Summary: Meta is restructuring by significantly cutting middle management positions, aiming to streamline operations. This reflects a trend where tech companies are flattening hierarchies to improve agility.
MMO Score: 2.5

Summary: Middle management roles are shrinking as companies streamline organizational structures. Automation and AI are cited as key drivers of this change, raising concerns about the future of these roles.
MMO Score: 0

Summary: Many Gen Z workers are avoiding middle management roles, citing a preference for individual contributor positions. This trend could impact organizational succession planning and leadership pipelines.
MMO Score: 5

Summary: Middle management serves as a vital layer in reporting and communication between teams and executives. However, over-reliance on sanitized reporting may hinder transparency and decision-making.
MMO Score: 7.5

Summary: Companies are increasingly cutting middle management positions to reduce costs and improve efficiency. This trend underscores the need for managers to demonstrate their value in fostering innovation and collaboration.
MMO Score: 2.5

Summary: Middle managers are crucial for translating high-level strategies into actionable plans. Their ability to foster collaboration and drive change is critical for successful transformations.
MMO Score: 10

Summary: This announcement discusses recruitment for middle management grade scale II officers, emphasizing their transferable skills and strategic oversight roles. It showcases middle management as a structured yet flexible leadership tier crucial for operational stability.
MMO Score: 5

  • In Turning to Trump, More CEOs Adopt MAGA Swagger in Business Decisions (Inc. Magazine)

    Summary: The article suggests middle management reductions as a strategy for organizational efficiency, reflecting the trend of cutting layers to reduce costs and streamline decision-making. This highlights potential obsolescence risks for traditional middle managers.
    MMO Score: 2.5

  • Measure Canceled – Teachers “Irritated” by End of Austerity Package (Kronen Zeitung)

    Summary: The trade union protests the government’s decision to halt austerity measures, which included freezing middle management roles. The article reflects on the balancing act between cost-saving and retaining critical organizational capabilities.
    MMO Score: 5

  • Bank of Scotland-owner to Close Dunfermline Office (Scottish Financial News)

    Summary: Lloyds Bank announces layoffs, predominantly targeting middle management in customer relations and other functions. This reflects a growing trend in downsizing middle management roles to cut costs and streamline operations.
    MMO Score: 2.5

  • Conscious Unbossing: Why Most Gen Z Employees Don’t Want Managerial Roles (Khaleej Times)

    Summary: Research reveals that younger generations prefer individual contributor roles over middle management, perceiving the latter as unappealing. The article suggests a shift in how leadership roles are valued in modern organizations.
    MMO Score: 2.5

  • Consensus: Management Consolidation Will Continue (Hotel Investment Today)

    Summary: Mid-sized management companies are consolidating to compete on a larger scale. The trend signifies the evolving role of middle management, blending strategic oversight with increased operational responsibilities.
    MMO Score: 7.5

  • The End of Management? Gen Z Faces New Challenges in 2025 (Forbes)

    Summary: The article explores Gen Z's aversion to middle management roles and the potential rise of alternative leadership models, indicating a cultural and structural evolution in management frameworks.
    MMO Score: 2.5

  • Top 15 Largest Declining Jobs by 2030 (Moneycontrol)

    Summary: Automation and AI are drastically reducing the need for middle management, especially in routine decision-making and resource allocation. The article forecasts significant disruption in traditional managerial roles.
    MMO Score: 0

Summary: Walmart is increasing pay and offering stock bonuses to select managers in a bid to retain and motivate them. This move signals a recognition of the challenges middle managers face in today's corporate environment and an attempt to address their diminishing roles in hierarchical organizations.
MMO Score: 7.5

Summary: The article highlights the growing trend of removing middle management layers as organizations adopt flatter structures. This shift is driven by a desire for more agility, cost savings, and direct collaboration across levels.
MMO Score: 2.5

Summary: Alvaro Munevar Jr. credits his middle-management role for enabling a balanced work-life dynamic, which allowed him to pursue a side business and achieve early retirement. The article emphasizes how middle management can still provide unique career advantages in the right circumstances.
MMO Score: 5

Summary: This survey outlines the importance of developing competencies for middle managers in hospitals to enhance health service delivery. It underscores the evolving role of middle management in driving efficiency and leadership in healthcare.
MMO Score: 7.5

Matthieu Jaunatre