Middle Managers: New Purpose, New Directions

Examines the changes facing middle managers as organizations move to leaner, empowered organization focused on delivering service to customers. The model of the inverted triangle leaves middle managers still in the middle, but now confused as to their new role – their world is literally topsy‐turvy. The reasons for these changes are the revolution of information technology, the absence of a hierarchically‐based career path, the need for greater creativity in organizations and the increasing focus on values. Although much has changed, much remains the same. Managers today still have many of the same needs they had in 1967. Identifies five factors of a high‐performing manager.