The Complexities of Vocation and Business: A Rejoinder To “Middle Management as a Calling”

Abstract

“Management as a Calling” applies the concept of vocation (i.e., work as a calling) to middle management. It is a pertinent topic for management professors since a large percentage of students of this field are destined to be middle managers. The paper’s summary of relevant books on the topic is helpful and provides insight. The suggestion that a greater emphasis should be placed on lower echelons of management, rather than CEOs and senior executives, is practical advice. The authors’ criticism of Warren Bennis’ distinction between leaders and managers as conflicting with the biblical
attribute of humility is appropriate.