What I’m Thinking About…In the Middle

Why is it that so many things that carry the label “middle” are considered negative – middle age, middle school, middle management? None of these phrases express considerable optimism and, in fact, are often said with a bit of fear and trembling.

Middle Age – that time when you aren’t quite as young as you once were, but don’t feel quite as old as you are going to be. Or, in the words of Toby Keith – “I ain’t as good as I once was, but I’m as good once as I ever was.” It’s a time that evokes pictures of crisis and poor decisions. (Why did you buy that Porsche?)

Or let’s go to the other extreme…

Middle School – that time where you aren’t quite as old as you want to be, but don’t feel quite as young as you used to be. You feel like all your actions – good, bad, and anything in between – are being watched and judged by all the people around you. Your only hope is that you hang on long enough to get to high school.

This same situation can exist organizationally, and we call it Middle Management. 

You feel pressure from the leaders above you and from those you lead. Your decisions often feel like no-win situations, especially for you. But, the way I see it, middle management is actually one of the best places to be and a great place to grow your leadership skills. 

By its very name, middle management signals its position at the center of an organization, creating a unique space to lead and shape culture in multiple directions. From this vantage point, your influence is greater than you might realize. Your influence begins within your department, but the results of your leadership ripple outward, impacting people, outcomes, and ultimately the entire organization

If you are currently in a middle management position, I encourage you to think of your “middle”

position as one of influence at multiple levels and as an opportunity to develop essential skills for using that influence now and in the future. 

And, if you have already moved past these middle levels – Congratulations, you did it! You now have the opportunity – and I might even say, the responsibility – to recognize the potential around you and provide a safe place for those in middle management positions to practice the skills they need for future roles.

Let’s change the story, you’re not stuck in the middle; you’re leading in the middle

That’s what I’m thinking about.