The Myths of Leading from the Middle of an Organization
- The Position Myth: "I can't lead if I am not at the top."
- The Destination Myth: "When I get to the top, then I'll learn to lead."
- The Influence Myth: "If I were on top, then people would follow me."
- The Inexperience Myth: "When I get to the top, I'll be in control."
- The Freedom Myth: "When I get to the top, I'll no longer be limited."
- The Potential Myth: "I can't reach my potential if I'm not the top leader."
- The All-or-Nothing Myth: "If I can't get to the top, then I won't try to lead."
The Challenges 360-Degree Leaders Face
- The Tension Challenge: The Pressure of Being Caught in the Middle
- The Frustration Challenge: Following an Ineffective Leader
- The Multi-Hat Challenge: One Head . . . Many Hats
- The Ego Challenge: You're Often Hidden in the Middle
- The Fulfillment Challenge: Leaders Like the Front More than the Middle
- The Vision Challenge: Championing the Vision Is More Difficult When You Didn’t Create It
- The Influence Challenge: Leading Others Beyond Your Position Is Not Easy
The Principles 360-Degree Leaders Practice to Lead Up
- Lead Yourself Exceptionally Well
- Lighten Your Leader's Load
- Be Willing to Do What Others Won't
- Do More than Manage - Lead!
- Invest in Relational Chemistry
- Be Prepared Every Time You Take Your Leader's Time
- Know When to Push and When to Back Off
- Become a Go-To Player
- Be Better Tomorrow than You Are Today
The Principles 360-Degree Leaders Practice to Lead Across
- Understand, Practice, and Complete the Leadership
- Put Completing Fellow Leaders Ahead of Competing with Them
- Be a Friend
- Avoid Office Politics
- Expand Your Circle of Acquaintances
- Let the Best Idea Win
- Don't Pretend You're Perfect
The Principles 360-Degree Leaders Practice to Lead Down
- Walk Slowly Through the Halls
- See Everyone As a "10"
- Develop Each Team Member as a Person
- Place People in Their Strength Zones
- Model the Behavior You Desire
- Transfer the Vision
- Reward for Results
The Value of 360-Degee Leaders
- A Leadership Team Is More Effective than Just One Leader
- Leaders Are Needed at Every Level of the Organization
- Leading Successfully at One Level Is a Qualifier for Leading at the Next Level
- Good Leaders in the Middle Make Better Leaders at the Top
- 360-Degree Leaders Possess Qualities Every Organization Needs
