A good indicator of a good middle manager is if they realize this or not. Middle managers that are always walking on eggshells are the worst, and they just pass

A good indicator of a good middle manager is if they realize this or not. Middle managers that are always walking on eggshells are the worst, and they just pass all that anxiety downward. Good ones can take those tactics in stride and shield their employees. By extension, a good company will allow those managers to exist, but bad ones will weed out any resistance, only leaving the eggshell walkers.