Fighting through the Myths about Leading from the Middle:

1. The Position Myth: “I can’t lead if I am not at the top.”

The number one misconception about leadership is the belief that leadership comes simply from having a position or title.
“The true measure of leadership is influence – nothing more, nothing less.”

2. The Destination Myth: “When I get to the top, then I’ll learn to lead.”

3. The Influence Myth: “If I were at the top, then people would follow me.”
The position does not make the leader; the leader makes the position.

4. The Inexperience Myth: When I get to the top, I’ll be in control.

“If I were in charge, things sure would be different around here”?

To think that life “at the top” is easier is a serious mistake. Being at the top has its own set of problems and challenges. In leadership – no matter where you are in an organization – the bottom line is influence.

5. The Freedom Myth: “When I get to the top, I’ll no longer be limited.”

When I get to the top, I’ll have it made.
When I finally finish climbing the organizational ladder, I’ll have time to rest.
When I control the organization, I’ll be able to do whatever I want.
When I’m in charge, the sky will be the limit.

When you are on top, you no longer make the easy decisions. The only decisions you make at the top are the hardest decisions that no one else is able to make.

6. The Potential Myth: “I can’t reach my potential if I’m not the top leader.”

John Maxwell argues that people should strive for the top of their effectiveness, not the top of the organization.
Sometimes you can make the greatest impact from somewhere other than first place.

7. The All-or-Nothing Myth: “If I can’t get to the top, then I won’t try to lead.”

You do not have to be the top leader to make a difference.

Fighting through the Myths about Leading from the Middle:  The Challenges 360 Degree Leaders Face

1. The Tension Challenge: The Pressure of Being Caught in the Middle

Here are five suggestions for relieving the tension challenge:
1. Determine how much authority and responsibility the person above you has given to you.
2. Accept the fact that you may receive limited recognition and appreciation.
3. Know what is expected of you by your senior leaders.
4. Never violate the trust of your leaders.
5. Take initiative without overstepping your boundaries.

2. The Frustration Challenge: Following an Ineffective Leader

1. Develop a solid relationship with your leader.
2. Identify and appreciate your leader’s strengths.
3. Commit yourself to adding value to your leader.
4. Tactfully share good leadership resources with your leader.
5. Publicly affirm your leader.
6. Remember that you also have blind spots.
7. Bring your leader solutions, not problems.

3. The Multi-Hat Challenge: One Head – Many Hats

Here are some suggestions for dealing with this challenge:
1. Always remember which hat you are wearing in a given situation.
2. When you change hats, don’t change your personality.
3. Don’t neglect any hat you are responsible to wear.
4. Remain flexible at all times.

4. The Ego Challenge: You Are Often Hidden in the Middle

Here are some suggestions for doing that:
1. Focus more on your duties than on your dreams.
2. Appreciate the value of your role in the organization.
3. Find satisfaction in knowing you did your job well.
4. Remember that good leadership always gets noticed in due time.

5. The Fulfillment Challenge: Leaders Like the Front More Than the Middle

There are some advantages to being out front:
1. There is more recognition at the front.
2. The view is better at the front.
3. The leaders in front determine the direction.
4. The leaders in front can set the pace.

A 360 Degree Leader can influence the entire organization wherever he or she is in the organization. Here are five things to enhance his fulfillment in the middle of the organization:
1. Develop strong relationships with key influencers in the organization.
2. Define winning in terms of teamwork.
3. Put the team’s success above his own success.
4. Engage in continual communication with the organization’s leaders.
5. Accept responsibility and keep growing.

6. The Vision Challenge: Championing the Vision is More Difficult When You Didn’t Create It

They add value to the vision so it becomes their own vision. They do four things exceedingly well:
1. Place the organization’s needs before their needs.
2. Help keep the vision before the people.
3. Understand their roles in seeing the dream become reality.
4. Stay focused on the vision.

7. The Influence Challenge: Leading Others Beyond Your Position Is Not Easy

People follow the kind of leader described below:
1. People follow leaders who CARE about them.
2. People follow leaders they trust – leaders with CHARACTER.
3. People follow leaders they respect – leaders who are COMPETENT.
4. People follow leaders they admire – leaders with COMMITMENT.
5. People follow leaders they can approach – leaders who are CONSISTENT.

Learn to think INFLUENCE, not position. Grow your influence by:
• Building relationships on trust
• Caring about people as individuals
• Believing in people
• Listening to what others have to say
• Understanding from others’ points of view
• Helping others become better
• Assisting others through difficulties
• Initiating positive relationships
• Giving others the power to lead

Lead On!