Leading from the Middle

A Playbook for Managers to Influence Up, Down, and Across the Organization

By: Scott Mautz

Narrated by: Stephen R. Thorne

Length: 6 hrs and 54 mins

Publisher's summary

The definitive playbook for driving impact as a middle manager

Leading from the Middle delivers an insightful and practical guide for the backbone of an organization: those who have a boss and are a boss and must lead from the messy middle. Accomplished author and former P&G executive Scott Mautz walks listeners through the unique challenges facing these managers, and the mindset and skill set necessary for managing up and down and influencing what happens across the organization.

You'll learn the winning mindset of the best middle managers, how to develop the most important skills necessary for managing from the middle, how to create your personal Middle Action Plan (MAP), and effectively influence:

• Up the chain of command, to your boss and those above them
• Down, to your direct reports and teams who report to you
• Laterally, to peers and teams you have no formal authority over

Anyone in an organization who reports to someone and has someone reporting to them must lead from the middle. They are the most important group in an organization and have a unique opportunity to drive impact. Leading from the Middle explains how.

©2021 John Wiley & Sons (P)2021 Gildan Media

Very informative

This book is very informative and has a lot of content. Not your typical managment nonsense but good advice with many examples.

One of the best

I am an avid reader of leadership books. This is one of the best that I have read. The middle of the organization is often neglected and then blamed when things go wrong. The author provides practical strategies for those who occupy this space.

Right book, right time, right content.

I'm sure we've all experienced the overwhelming pressure of work at some point. In the midst of it, I came across a book that has been incredibly helpful. It's been the perfect timing and content for my current situation. There's not much else to say other than a big thank you to Scott.

Title should instead be "Acronym Performer"

Book has some good notes and details, however, I find it ironic the author is trying to show you ways to see all perspectives and how to influences those all around you, but they do it in a way the reinforces some of the corporate jargon that does NOT contribute to success in any environment I've observed. The book's author is obsessed with acronyms and uses it them all over the place, nearly impossible to keep up with and just funny how they are meant to be used as short hand ways to remember stuff but they use SO MANY it loses all merit and reasoning behind acronyms.

Great insights into middle management value, challenges, and recommended techniques

Identifies so many ways that middle managers can and should add value. Special information for remote team members.

This book Resonates

I work in a fast pace industry of solving complex waste problems. As a Project Manager (middle management) expectations are just that expected. This book puts it all in perspective "there is a cost to knowing". It layed out that there are many more people in the exact position, and gives new perspective or reason to why I am suited to lead up, down, and across. If you feel your running in place with your current leadership role, give this book a go. It will recharge you.

A must listen--6 STARS

Excellent book for all leaders. The books provide excellent clarity on developing a sense of purpose for teams. Great model - DRIVE.
D iscover Purpose
R ole Model
I nternalize
V alue
E vengalize