The 360 Leader

Leading From the Middle

John C. Maxwell

Myths of Leading from the Middle

The Position Myth: I cant lead if Im not on top The Destination Myth: When I get to the top, then Ill 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 Ill be in control

Myths of Leading from the middle

The Freedom Myth: When I get to the top, Ill no longer be limited The Potential Myth: I cant reach my potential if Im not the top leader The All or Nothing Myth: If I cant get to the top, then I wont try to lead

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

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

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

How to Relieve Bad Leadership Challenge

Find common ground Identify and appreciate leaders 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

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

Leading Up
Create a stop doing list Become a specialist The ABCs of energy management
Activity without direction doing things that dont matter Burden without action not being able to do things that really matter Conflict without resolution not being able to deal with the issue

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

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

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

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

Leading Across
When the eagle are silent, the parrots begin to jabber, W. Churchill avoid office politics
Evade petty arguments Stand up for whats 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

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

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

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

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

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

Leading Down
Model desired behavior
The leaders
Behavior determines the culture Attitude determines the atmosphere Values determines the decisions Investment determines the return Work ethic determines the productivity

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

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

Team Building

Visionary leaders are willing to hire people better than themselves Wise leaders shape people into teams Wise leaders listen

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

Qualities of 360 Degree Leaders

Adaptability Discernment Perspective Communication Security Servanthood Resourcefulness Maturity Endurance Countability