Traditional organizational structures employ complex, layered hierarchies that require numerous middle managers. But automation and intelligent software have replaced some of the work tasks that employees used to do; they also connect human workers to new types of team. The pandemic catalyzed new investments in automation, accelerating this transition. In this new world, fewer workers in some job categories and the rise of talent marketplaces mean that companies will change the role of middle managers — in some cases reducing their numbers, but in all cases flattening and simplifying organizational structures.