The Middle Matters!
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.58315/jcld.v13.345Keywords:
middle managers, leadership gap, moral leadership, organizational culture, values-based leadership, leadership developmentAbstract
Middle leaders, often overlooked in favor of executives at the top and frontline staff at the bottom, are the essential connective tissue of organizations. They bridge vision and execution, shape culture through daily interactions, and translate values into practice. In times of volatility, they become steady hands and trusted voices, guiding teams through uncertainty. Yet these leaders face shrinking ranks,
expanding responsibilities, and insufficient support. To close the growing leadership gap in the middle, organizations must reframe middle management as a strategic asset, developing, empowering, and honoring these leaders as indispensable drivers of culture, performance, and moral leadership.
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