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The Quiet Magic of Middle Managers
Article

The Quiet Magic of Middle Managers

David Brooks
The New York Times, 2024
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Arrogant top managers at one end of the corporate ladder, disengaged workers at the other — the business world would be in trouble if it weren’t for the corps of team and department leaders in between, writes New York Times journalist and prolific author David Brooks in this uplifting opinion piece. The “unsung heroes” of middle management are the glue that holds companies together, and, in his eyes, they institutionalize values that underpin society as a whole.

Summary

Middle managers make companies — and society — work.

Middle managers who lead teams or departments are today’s “unsung heroes.” In this capacity, they resolve workplace conflicts, preserve relationships among employees, and keep teams pulling together. In other words, they ensure that work gets done efficiently and successfully.

Middle managers hardly ever become the center of attention, but they are the glue that holds not only companies but society together. How so? A lack of values and virtues on a small scale creates a rot that will spread, eventually undermining social order. Society faces two battles: the one between democracy and authoritarianism, and the daily effort of defining and fostering human dignity. ...

About the Author

David Brooks has been a New York Times columnist since 2003. His writings often deal with cooperation and moral issues. His books include The Road to Character, The Second Mountain, and How to Know a Person among others.

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