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99% of all leadership happens from the middle of the organization. – John Maxwell
Really? 99%? You’d think most of the leadership happened at the top. Think about it, though. Those in the middle have influence up, down, and across. They lead teams and influence executives. The middle is a strategic place, and that should encourage a LOT of people since there are far more in the middle than at the top.
In this episode of the 5 Leadership Questions podcast Todd Adkins and I are joined by Brad Lomenick to talk about the strategic position that middle leaders have. We answer these 5 questions:
- What’s the difference between leading from the middle and being “middle management”?
- Is the middle a place of leverage or a place stuck between two things?
- What are effective ways for someone in a middle position to lead up?
- How can middle management effectively channel the wishes and vision of upper management to those they lead?
- How should middle management handle a situation in which they disagree with their superiors?
Best Quotes
“There is a distinct difference between leading from the middle and being middle management.”
“Leading up is having an ownership mentality.”
“Think, have perspective, and anticipate as if you are at the top of the organization.”
“Whether you lead up or down, always criticize in private and praise in public.”
“If you are leading from the middle, understand your context, and know you have influence.”
“The best way to advance in an organization is to be the best in what you are doing right now.”
“Leading from the middle is being a linchpin in your organization.”
“The further you go up in leadership, the less decisions you should be making.”
“How would your leadership be different if you were in the position you are chasing after? Visualize that and go lead like that now.”
Recommended Resources
BradLomenick.com (Brad’s Blog)
H3 Leadership: Be Humble. Stay Hungry. Always Hustle. by Brad Lomenick
