Philippe Weiss Discusses the Impact of Losing Middle Managers on WGN Radio’s Noon Business Lunch

Philippe Weiss, president of Seyfarth at Work, was interviewed on WGN Radio Chicago’s "Noon Business Lunch" on October 13, 2026, where he discussed how widespread cuts to middle management can create unexpected challenges for businesses.

Weiss explained that, while many companies have eliminated middle-management positions to reduce costs, they are now seeing the consequences of losing employees who play critical roles within their organizations. He noted that middle managers often serve as a pipeline for future senior leaders, preserve valuable institutional knowledge, and act as an important conduit between executives and rank-and-file employees.

He advised business leaders to carefully consider the contributions middle managers have made before eliminating their positions. In particular, he encouraged organizations to look at where these employees have made a critical difference in recent months and to explore alternative cost-cutting measures that preserve valuable talent.

The full discussion can be heard at the 6:09 mark in the episode: Noon Business Lunch 10/13/26: Job search tips, middle manager loss, Monarc Sport.