Assuming you can't just apply for a different role in the company, which is obviously just the easy way. One non-confrontational way is to look for other manag

Assuming you can't just apply for a different role in the company, which is obviously just the easy way. One non-confrontational way is to look for other managers and see if you can show them your value. e.g. do a small project for one (or a few) you like and show them the value of having someone like you on their team and then push for one of them to open a role for you etc. This is a very successful way to do this in larger organizations and it makes it non-confrontational with your current manager so you don't create issues while you are still working for him/her. Of course, if your current manager feels you are disloyal that is a different issue, so you have to be smart how you do this, but it can be very good way to move around. BTW if you do this, you essentially are creating the role so you have to define your value and what you can bring to the team since many times "managers" are not very visionary and are more task focused. If you find a real leader then that is totally different and would generally be a better fit, but sadly middle management has that name for a reason. Other options exist of course, just one idea.