Final answer:
Middle managers are responsible for setting objectives aligned with the organization's goals and crafting strategies to achieve these goals. They play a pivotal role in operationalizing top management's vision and ensuring that departmental activities meet overarching organizational objectives.
Step-by-step explanation:
The typical responsibilities for setting objectives consistent with organizational goals and then planning and implementing the subunit strategies for achieving these goals are often attributed to middle managers. Middle managers are key to bridging the top management vision with the operational execution by first-line managers, team leaders, and employees. They ensure that the company's strategic goals trickle down into actionable plans that can be executed by the teams under their supervision.
Understanding the organizational structure is crucial for employees, especially during their first year on the job. This period should include developing a plan that outlines specific and measurable goals over incremental time blocks, such as 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. Meeting expectations and establishing relationships are vital for success in the workplace, and for middle managers, these aspects are critical as they directly impact the larger operational and strategic objectives of an organization.