1. Leading From the Middle John C. Maxwell
The 360 Leader
Leading From the Middle
John C. Maxwell

2. Myths of Leading from the Middle
The Position Myth: I can’t lead if I’m not on 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, then I’ll be in control

3. Myths of Leading from the middle
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

4. Challenges Facing 360 Leaders
The Tension Challenge – the pressure of being caught in the middle.
Factors that impact the tension
Empowerment – Authority and responsibility
Initiative – How to balance initiating vs overstepping boundaries
Job Parameters – Knowledge
Appreciation – Who gets the credit

5. How to Relieve Tension Challenge
Get comfortable in the middle
Get clear lines of communication
Get quick answers
Maintain trust of the leader
Find a way to relieve stress

6. Bad Leadership The Insecure Leader The Visionless Leader
The Incompetent Leader
The Selfish Leader
The Chameleon Leader
The Political Leader (see Chameleon)
The Controlling Leader
The Bully Leader

7. How to Relieve Bad Leadership Challenge
Find common ground
Identify and appreciate leader’s strengths
Leverage strengths and add value
Get permission to develop a game plan
Expose the leader to good leadership resources
Publicly affirm the leader
Stay true to yourself

8. Leading Up Be the type of person that others want to follow
Manage emotions
Manage time “Until you value your time, you will not do anything with it” M. Scott Peck
Manage priorities
80% of the time work where you are strongest
15% of the time work where you are learning
5% of the time work in other necessary areas

9. Leading Up Create a stop doing list Become a specialist
The ABC’s of energy management
Activity without direction – doing things that don’t matter
Burden without action – not being able to do things that really matter
Conflict without resolution – not being able to deal with the issue

10. Leading Up THINK Make your words have value LISTEN
Create balance in your life
Do your job well
For every problem you identify, bring a solution
Be honest – tell the leader what they need to hear, not what they want to hear
Stand up for the leader
Stand in for the leader

11. Leading Across Expand your circle of acquaintances beyond:
Your inner circle
Your expertise
Your strengths
Your personal prejudices

12. Leading Across Take an interest in people Get to know people
Respect people
Add value to people
Fill in their gaps
Share with others
Invest in their growth
Take them along

13. Leading Across Affirm people – compliment in public, be genuine
Enjoy healthy competition it creates camaraderie
Be a friend
Listen
Find an interest not related to work
Be available outside business hours
Have a sense of humor
Be truthful – “A friend is one who warns you”

14. Leading Across
“When the eagle are silent, the parrots begin to jabber”, W. Churchill – avoid office politics
Evade petty arguments
Stand up for what’s right – not popular
Maximize your vantage point from the middle, look at all sides of the issue
Be credible and consistent
Let the best idea win

15. Leading Across Be Real/Authentic Admit your faults Ask for advice
Be open to learning from others
Put away pride and pretense (BE REAL)

16. Leading Down Slow down Express that you care
Create balance of personal and professional interest
Pay attention when people start to avoid you
It’s about the people. Tend to the people, they will tend to the business

17. Leading Down See everyone as a 10 – not a 2
Catch them doing something right
Believe the best

18. Leading Down
Develop each team member as a person. Remember please, that development is a long term process
Discover each person’s dreams
Lead each person uniquely
Facilitate each person’s self knowledge
Engage in hard conversations readily
CELEBRATE
Empower and prepare them for leadership

19. Leading Down Discover their strengths Give them the right job
Provide world class training

20. Leading Down Model desired behavior The leader’s
Behavior determines the culture
Attitude determines the atmosphere
Values determines the decisions
Investment determines the return
Work ethic determines the productivity

21. Leading Down Transfer the Vision with Clarity
Connection to past, present and future
Purpose
Goals
Stories (STAR)
Passion

22. Leading Down Reward for results
Praise publicly and privately – talk is cheap unless you back it up with money
Remember please, you get what you pay for
Reward individually
Give perks beyond pay
Promote

23. Team Building
Visionary leaders are willing to hire people better than themselves
Wise leaders shape people into teams
Wise leaders listen

24. Without a Leader Vision is lost Decisions are delayed Agendas multiply
Conflicts are extended
Morale is low
Production is reduced
Success is difficult

25. Qualities of 360 Degree Leaders
Adaptability
Discernment
Perspective
Communication
Security
Servanthood
Resourcefulness
Maturity
Endurance
Countability