S 2 Ep 27: Stuck in the Middle: Taking the Guesswork Out of Middle Management with Jeff Sigel

Send us a text

Middle management – it's not the glamorous corner office, and it's not the boots-on-the-ground work anymore… it’s the in-between zone where careers either take off or burn out. In this episode, I’m joined by Jeff Sigel, an accomplished leader, middle management expert, and author of "The Middle Manager Mindset." We dig into the messy, magnificent role of middle managers and how organizations (and humans!) can better support and grow in that critical role.

We tackle questions like:

• How do people really get promoted into management?
• What makes the middle manager role so uniquely difficult—and uniquely valuable?
• What are the three key identities managers must balance: doer, leader, and influencer?
• How do you manage up, down, and sideways without losing your sanity or your credibility?
• Why is learning from your mistakes not optional—but essential—as a manager?

Whether you're a new manager, a seasoned leader trying to coach middle managers, or someone wondering why you’re constantly stuck in the middle… this episode gives you practical, candid advice with a good dash of "oh, that’s me."

🧠 Mic-Drop Moment from Jeff:
"Middle management is where leadership actually gets practiced. It's not about titles or authority—it’s about building trust while getting the job done, day after day."

📚 Resources & Recommended Reads:

• The Middle Manager Mindset by Jeff Sigel – Get the book on Amazon
• Connect with Jeff Sigel on LinkedIn
• The Leadership Pipeline by Ram Charan, Stephen Drotter, and James Noel
• Multipliers: How the Best Leaders Make Everyone Smarter by Liz Wiseman
• Radical Candor by Kim Scott – because feedback is a gift, even if it’s wrapped in awkwardness.

🎯 Key Takeaways:

• Promotions often happen because of performance—not potential. That’s a setup, not a strategy.
• Middle managers must unlearn doing and relearn leading.
• Credibility is earned by showing up consistently, communicating clearly, and owning your growth.
• Leadership isn’t a solo sport. Ask for feedback. Admit when you’re wrong. Grow out loud.
• The biggest failure isn’t making a mistake—it’s pretending you didn’t.

📞 Connect with Jeff Sigel

• 🌐 Website: proprioceptive.io 
• 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-sigel/

💬 Let’s Talk!
Have a middle manager horror story or triumph? Drop it in the comments or tag us on social @ManageWithHart using #DearHRDiary.

🗂️ Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share this episode with a manager in the middle of it all.

Support the show

Connect with Dawn:
Website: www.managewithhart.com
Instagram: @managewithhart