The term “middleman” usually conjures up a negative image — someone who creates costs and slows things down. The truth is almost the opposite: Middlemen usually can make things happen more efficiently than those who specialize in other job functions. Middle managers can learn from middlemen in three ways:
- Look for gaps between the silos. People who can bridge the “structural holes” in organizations, who understand the needs and resources of different teams, can bridge cultural divides.
- Keep both sides honest. The middleman’s power comes from a unique vantage point that can keep one or both sides accountable for delivering on the end product.
- Be a single point of contact for your team. Middlemen can help with information overload, filtering out the noise and delivering crucial data.
Adapted from "What Middle Managers Can Learn from Agents, Brokers, and Other Middlemen," by Marina Krakovsky
