When we think of a leader, we usually think of someone of higher status…well I don’t think that is where you are supposed to lead from. I believe the best leaders are the ones that lead from the middle. Think about it, in the center you can see what is happening on top, on bottom and from left to right. When you are leading just from the top, you really do not have the full capacity to do your best. Being a leader simply begins with the leadership loop, as described in the book The 360 Leader.
1) Caring: Making people a high enough priority
2) Learning: Getting to know the people
3) Appreciating: Respect
4) Contributing: Adding value to the people
5) Verbalizing: Affirming
6) Leading: Influencing
7) Succeeding: Winning
Instead of just putting time into a project or at work, why not teach someone something new or lead people towards something you believe is good. One of the advantages of leading from the middle is that you have the opportunity to see things from perspectives that many others don’t.
