Unlocking the Hidden Power of Middle Management

There is a long-standing perception among some observers that middle management is inefficient or in danger of becoming irrelevant. But VAB member and chair of our Singapore chapter, and also a renowned author, Michael Jenkins, alongside his partners at the Future Work Forum (FWF), is challenging this view, arguing instead that dysfunction in middle management often reflects a failure of leadership vision rather than a lack of value in the role itself. The FWF report highlights how organisations can unlock significant performance gains by redefining the middle layer as a facilitation and learning engine—one that connects strategy with execution, enables collaboration and fosters psychological safety—while also calling for more rigorous, skills-based selection of managers and the adoption of dual career paths that equally value technical expertise and people leadership. Ultimately, Michael and his FWF colleagues highlight the need to position modern middle managers as critical "connectors" between business performance and team capability, essential for navigating today’s complex and rapidly evolving work environment - while concurrently working out where AI fits in.

To explore the full insights and practical recommendations, download and read the complete briefing here.