Leading from the middle requires timing, and a sense of how to influence decisions. It is a valuable skill-set and can help on a number of fronts, from maintaining staff morale during difficult times to seizing on an opportunity – or addressing a problem - that many simply don’t recognize.
I wanted to speak to leaders this week. Who qualifies? All of you!! Regardless of your role or position, anyone can step up to help advance the institution’s priorities. Many may know this style of leadership as “leading from the middle”. Authors like Scott Mautz focused on middle management positions, but honestly, anyone can ultimately influence the decision-making process. Often, leading from the middle is most needed when the institution’s leadership team is distracted but it is also needed to enable new ideas that help the institution better serve its students. It can and does take a village to keep an institution focused and functioning.
