Final answer:
Middle managers are responsible for managing supervisory roles and coordinating programs and projects to align with organizational goals. They act as a bridge between top managers and staff, balancing the requirements of hierarchy with the need for collaboration.
Step-by-step explanation:
The individuals who manage persons in supervisory roles and must communicate up and down the organizational pyramid to coordinate programs and projects are known as middle managers. Middle managers play a crucial role in the traditional hierarchy of authority and in fostering a cooperative relationship with both their superiors and subordinates.
They are situated at a level where they have to understand and support the vision of the top managers, while at the same time ensuring that staff managers and other team members are engaged in achieving the organization's broader goals.
Middle managers must be adept at dealing with the challenges of organizational structure, hierarchy of authority, and the shifting nature of the manager/employee relationship in contemporary workplaces.
They must display agility in their management style, often being required to go above and beyond, staying flexible in the face of changing priorities, and seeking out ways to contribute to areas that are a priority for their managers.
Maximizing effectiveness in a managerial role involves setting clear, measurable goals; responding professionally to feedback; and fostering a positive, collaborative relationship with employees.
This balanced approach is paramount, especially as workplaces evolve towards flatter structures, where the role of middle managers becomes even more collaborative and less authoritative.