What does a middle manager do?

A middle manager reports to a more senior leader and manages a team below them, balancing strategy and execution. Host Amanda Goetz, a five-time CMO, calls them "context carriers" who explain why decisions are made, set team culture, and shield their teams from chaos at the top. She says they're the "connective tissue" of a company.

How do you manage up without people-pleasing?

Amanda Goetz suggests putting prioritization back on your boss. Ask them to help you rank their priorities by level of impact and level of effort, so you focus on what matters most. Also push back on blurry feedback by asking for an example, and learn what pressures your boss and leadership team are facing.

What is a "Managing Up Monday" email?

It's a weekly email Amanda Goetz sends every Monday with your top two to three priorities for the week, any blockers, and last week's big wins, copying your boss. It gives leadership a regular line of sight into your team's work. She says it was one of the fastest ways she got promoted early in her career.

How can middle managers be seen as strategic, not administrative?

Stop reporting activity and start reporting impact. Amanda Goetz says a vague update like "the event was amazing" tells leadership nothing. Instead, share business results, such as earned media value or changes in brand sentiment. Speaking in impact, she says, is how you're seen as strategic and not disposable.

How can middle managers stay visible and get promoted?

Amanda Goetz recommends the Managing Up Monday email to share your wins every week. She also guards one to two hours a day for "offense mode," time before meetings and email to work on strategy and solutions, which she says kept her as her boss's right hand and helped her move up quickly.

Ask Amanda: The Middle Manager's Survival Guide

In partnership with

Victoria here, Girlboss’ executive editor. 👋

You’ve probably seen the headlines. “Middle managers are disappearing!” “AI is killing middle management positions!” "The great flattening is here!" If you’re a middle manager reading this right now, this is not a sign to panic! You just need to get strategic. That’s why we dedicated today’s brand-new Ambition 2.0 episode to middle managers:

Tune in now. 🎧

Other stuff the Girlboss team is yapping about on Slack:

Reason #609 why men should NOT have microphones. 🙄
This is who you’re asking to work a 9-to-5, btw. 🐰

💼 Job of the day: Book lovers, listen up! HarperCollins is hiring a Contracts Manager for its audio team ($70K to $80K) in NYC to draft, negotiate, and finalize contracts for audiobooks and its trade and children's imprints. A cover letter is strongly preferred, so make it a page-turner. 😉

Ask Amanda: The Middle Manager's Survival Guide | Ambition 2.0

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