The Great Flattening: Middle Managers are in BIG trouble!
The North American workplace is changing faster than ever before. Companies are removing layers of management, artificial intelligence is transforming how we work, and the traditional corporate ladder is starting to look more like a maze. Welcome to what experts are calling “The Great Flattening” – a major shift in how businesses operate that’s here to stay.
What is The Great Flattening?
The Great Flattening describes how companies are removing middle management positions and restructuring their organizations to be more efficient. This isn’t just a temporary trend – it’s a fundamental change in how businesses operate. Companies are discovering they can work effectively with fewer layers of management, leading to significant changes in career opportunities for middle managers.
Why is This Happening Now?
- Technology and AI are making it easier for senior leaders to oversee larger teams directly
- Companies are under pressure to cut costs and increase efficiency
- Remote work has changed how teams communicate and collaborate
- Businesses are finding that flatter organizations can make decisions faster
The Impact on Middle Managers
If you’re a middle manager, you might be feeling uncertain about your future. You’re not alone. Many experienced professionals are discovering that the roles they’ve worked years to achieve are disappearing or changing dramatically. This doesn’t mean your skills aren’t valuable – it means the workplace needs them in different ways.
Middle managers have become a primary target in layoffs. They now represent nearly a third of all layoffs in some industries, up from 20% in 2018. (Bloomberg News).
The corporate landscape is experiencing a significant shift toward flatter organizational structures, with major companies leading this transformation. Recent data shows this isn’t just isolated cost-cutting – it represents a fundamental change in how businesses view organizational hierarchy. Companies are finding that reducing management layers can both improve financial performance and increase operational agility.
Several major corporations exemplify this trend through substantial restructuring efforts. These changes often involve significant reductions in management positions, with companies reporting potential savings in the billions of dollars. The focus extends beyond immediate financial benefits – organizations are actively pursuing what management experts call “delayering,” where traditional hierarchical structures are streamlined to enable faster decision-making and broader spans of control.
This restructuring aligns with a broader corporate strategy shift, evidenced by the increasing frequency of terms like ‘operational efficiency’ in corporate communications. Companies are finding that traditional multi-layered management structures may impede their ability to adapt quickly in today’s dynamic business environment.
Taking Control of Your Future
This is where a Career Ownership Coach® – like me! … can help! We’ve helped thousands of professionals navigate major career transitions. We understand that times of change create opportunities for those who are prepared to seize them.
Consider these important statistics:
- Over 75% of working professionals feel uncertain about their career security
- 84% of people who work with a Career Ownership Coach® report feeling more confident about their career decisions
- Business ownership through franchising has a success rate nearly three times higher than starting an independent business
- The average franchise owner earns 30% more in their third year than they did in their last corporate position
Exploring Options
The Great Flattening doesn’t have to mean the end of your career success. In fact, it could be the beginning of something even better. Many former middle managers have found success and satisfaction in business ownership, particularly through franchising.
Franchising offers several advantages for professionals affected by corporate restructuring:
- Proven business models that reduce risk
- Training and support systems already in place
- The ability to leverage your management and leadership skills
- Multiple revenue streams instead of a single salary
- The opportunity to build equity in your own business
How to Get Started
Schedule a consultation with me using the icon link on the top right of this page.- I’ll guide you through an experience as we begin to explore your Income, Lifestyle, Wealth, and Equity goals
- Learn about various business ownership options that match your skills
- Create a plan for your transition to career ownership
The workplace will continue to evolve, but one thing remains constant: the value of taking control of your own career path. Whether through traditional employment, business ownership, or a combination of both, the opportunities are there for those who are prepared to seize them.
The Great Flattening is more than just a trend – it’s a fundamental shift in how businesses operate. But with change comes opportunity. The question isn’t whether the workplace will continue to evolve, but whether you’ll be prepared to evolve with it.
Take control of your future today. Connect me, and discover how YOU can turn uncertainty into opportunity.
Remember: Your next career move doesn’t have to be another job – it could be owning your own business. The choice is yours, and we’re here to help you make it with confidence.
To your Success!
Julian Reid