Final answer:
The statement is false because middle managers are not typically the most critical in strategic management; that role belongs to senior executives. For expressive leadership, the director of a summer camp for chronically ill children would be an appropriate example due to the emotionally supportive nature of their role.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that the middle manager is the most visible and critical strategic manager is false. While middle managers play a crucial role in organizations by implementing the strategies set by top-level managers and supervising the operations carried out by front-line employees, they are not typically considered the most critical in strategic management. This role is usually reserved for senior executives who are near the top of the organizational hierarchy, who have the authority to set the strategic direction of the company.
In the context of who is more likely to be an expressive leader, the director of a summer camp for chronically ill children is a likely candidate, as expressive leadership emphasizes emotional support and the maintenance of harmony among group members, which is a vital aspect of managing such a sensitive and people-centric environment.