Leading from the Middle with Scott Mautz

by David Dye | Jul 9, 2021 | Podcast, Winning Well | leadership leading from the middle management middle management

If you have a boss and are a boss, you’ll be very familiar with the messy middle. Leading from the middle requires a special mindset and specific leadership skills. In this episode, former P&G senior executive and author Scott Mautz gives you practical skills and the mindset to thrive and transform your organization. Have something ready to write with – you’ll want to take notes!

Leading from the Middle

1:12 – Meet Scott Mautz, former Proctor and Gamble executive, author, and award-winning leadership thinker

2:47 – The early tough leadership lessons we learn by trying. You don’t have to be good to start, but you do have to start to be good.

5:14 – What it means to lead from the middle and why Scott avoids the label “middle manager.”

7:28 – The passion Scott has for people leading from the middle and the opportunity you have when leading from the middle.

8:32 – The tensions and challenges that come with leading in the middle. For example, you both have authority and need to be deferential. Are autonomous but need to collaborate.

10:34 – The inherent role of conflict at the intersection of horizontal and vertical information flow.

12:42 – The research-based mindsets that the most effective middle managers embrace. How they reframe their role from being stuck to one of massive opportunity and influence.

17:25 – A look at several of the critical roles that help you succeed at leading from the middle, starting with the role of Translator.

20:04 – The Synthesizer role and how you make vision and strategy relevant for your teams

21:22 – The role of Strategist, and why it might be the most important role when leading from the middle – and the number one action you can take to become a better strategist – even when you’re pressed for time.

29:53 – The role of Sense Maker and how you add context and interpret what is happening, being sure to fill in the blanks for everyone on your team.

34:10 – The vital role your peers play in your success and how to build more effective relationships with your colleagues.

40:56 – Your relationship with your boss, the most common problem managers have with their own boss, and the number one action you can take to solve this challenge and build a more effective working relationship.

45:29 – Recognizing the humanity of both your boss and yourself.