EPISODE 181: Leading from the Middle – How Middle Managers Become the New C-Suite

What if the real power in your organization isn’t at the top—but in the middle?

In this quick-hit episode of The Overlap Podcast, Sid Sexton and Keith Glines challenge the traditional view of leadership by spotlighting middle management as the new frontier of influence. With AI, automation, and lean business structures reshaping organizations, the middle is where the real opportunities live.

Whether you’re a department head, team leader, or small business owner, this conversation uncovers how middle managers can move beyond “just doing the work” to driving innovation, efficiency, and culture across the organization.

What You’ll Learn

Why the C-Suite as we know it may be on its way out
How middle managers hold the keys to modern business transformation
Simple automation tactics that can make you a hero in your role
The untapped agency and influence most people ignore in their jobs
Why clarity breaks are a secret weapon for solving the right problems
How to reframe your role so it’s about leadership, not just labor

Key Topics Discussed

The flattening of organizational structures and what that means for managers
Why solving problems is the job—not waiting on leadership for direction
The mindset shift from “waiting for orders” to “owning outcomes”
Real-world examples of how small automation wins can change everything
Why most people abdicate responsibility (and how to stop)
The overlap between business leadership, fitness, and personal agency

Quotes Worth Remembering

“If you look at the people that really have an opportunity to shine, it’s in that middle management role.”
— Keith Glines

“The folks closest to the action need to be the ones making the plan.”
— Sid Sexton

“If you learn to add automation into your role, you become invaluable.”
— Keith Glines

“Solving problems is the job. That’s why you were hired.”
— Sid Sexton

“You have way more power than you think—you just keep giving it away.”
— Sid Sexton

Sponsor Spotlight

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Resources & Links

Listen to EP180: Culture Carry Over – How Discipline Shapes Every Area of Life
Sponsors page: overlaplife.com/sponsors

Conclusion

The myth that only the CEO or owner can make lasting change is broken. Middle managers today have more leverage than ever—if they’ll step into it. From adopting automation to taking clarity breaks, the power is in owning the role, not waiting for direction. Sid and Keith remind us: leadership doesn’t require a corner office—it starts with solving problems where you are.

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