# The "Glue People" - Will AI Actually Delete Middle Management?

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/process-debt-7039689/the-glue-people-will-ai-actually-delete-middle-management
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/process-debt-7039689/the-glue-people-will-ai-actually-delete-middle-management.md
Podcast: [Process Debt](https://stenobird.com/podcast/process-debt-7039689)
Published: 2026-02-13T16:09:46+00:00
Episode link: https://rss.com/podcasts/process-debt/2522644
Audio file: https://content.rss.com/episodes/293248/2522644/process-debt/2026_02_05_00_28_55_91476fd9-201f-42df-bbd2-295352a67e53.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/process-debt-7039689/episodes/the-glue-people-will-ai-actually-delete-middle-management
Duration seconds: 1274

## Resource

Is middle management the ultimate "process debt" or the only thing keeping your company from vibrating apart? This week, Chris and Toby tackle the "Man in the Middle"—those managers currently sitting in the crosshairs of every CEO with a fresh budget for AI "pixie dust." We break down why the C-suite and the frontline are like oil and vinegar, and why you need a human "emulsifier" to keep the salad dressing from breaking. In this episode: Why "Air Cover" is the most underrated management skill. The prediction market: Why the "glue layer" always gets cut first (and why they always come back). Can an LLM actually have a "happy hour" to fix cross-departmental drama? Why your boss might be replaced by Bot #42 (and why Bot #42 won't listen to your problems). Join us for a Friday debrief on why you can’t just automate context, no matter how much water your data center is chugging.

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## Transcript

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