The chapter discussed provides an extensive overview of the historical evolution of the middle manager role within corporate structures, tracing its origins from the Second Industrial Revolution to the modern digital age. Initially emerging as a "binding agent" crucial for coordinating complex production in large companies, the middle manager's identity has undergone several transformations, moving through phases such as the "homo economicus," the loyal "organization man," the service-oriented "servant leader," and the contemporary "manager-as-coach" or "augmentedmanager." The text details how technological shifts, economiccrises, and management theories—from Taylorism and Fordism to Peter Drucker’s ideas and behavioral economics—have continually redefined their responsibilities and perceived value. The role has faced both expansion and contraction, notably experiencing "proletarianization" and layoffs in the 2000s, while simultaneously adapting to new demands for emotional intelligence, technological proficiency, and ethical considerations in flatter, more agile organizations.

The chapter begins on page 27. I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the podcast generated, even though the AI sometimes rephrases my text; I decided to let it be. Overall, it's nice to listen to when you don't have time to pick up the book, or when you haven't bought it yet, or even while you're cooking or doing DIY. What do you think?