Leading From the Middle
During the last few months I have found myself having to lead from the middle in three unique opportunities. Each of the three cases are not related at all, other than I find myself very involved in the various elements. As result of these positions I am learning that even if you aren't in the top seat in leadership you still have an obligation and an ability to lead. Too often people who find themselves in the middle don't lead and abdicate the lack of movement to those above them and as a result end up in a perpetual state of doubt and bitterness.
Much is being written about leading from the middle, so what follows are simply my observations that I am formulating as a result of these various experiences. They aren't final thoughts, but more musings from the journey. This is also not an exhaustive list, but a beginning. In fact this may need to grow over the months to come as we wrestle through this together.
- You have to be the fuel for the process
Ideas tend to burn out quickly unless there is a fuel behind the spark. When you are leading from the middle you have to be the fuel or ideas will simply sizzle and expire. This is not an easy step or an easy process. The very nature of fuel is for it to be consumed, so if you are to fuel the process know that it will be exhausting. Which is why you will need to make sure you are tapping into a deep sense of mission for your energy and you aren't just using your emotional reserves to get something through a process. Most of us tend to burn off our emotional reserves because they are highly combustible, but if an idea requires a long journey you will burn out emotionally long before the dream can become a reality and you will leave broken and empty. However, if you can learn to tap into the depths of missional goals, you will hang on because it is the right thing to do.
If you are finding yourself burnt out, ask yourself, what is fueling me as I try to lead? Am I running on emotions or am I tapping into the mission? Am I continually energized or am I becoming empty & burnt out?
- People control the process so connect with the people more than the process
Too often people want to solve problems and move systems around, but forget that every system is attached to a person at some point. Therefore if you want to really change the system you have to change the buy in factor of the people that are involved. Taking time to get to know the people and being likable through the process is a very important skill to have. On the surface this could be seen as being political or manipulative, but it is caring and wise. Deal with the people first, then the process will follow.
If you are frustrated with a system or a process find out how much you know about the people that have been asked to protect that process or system. If you can know them, they will help guide you to how the process can be fixed.
- Someone has to take the first step of faith
I was recently listening to a sermon where the focus was on taking individual steps of faith. As a result I began to ask myself how communities can step out in faith? I realized as I looked at scripture that there has always been someone willing to risk taking the first step of faith. It isn't easy when you aren't the top leader, but look at Gideon, David, Jonathan, etc. Once someone is willing to say perhaps God and they step out into the battle, then there are usually others who will join you if it is God's battle.
Is there something you think your group is mandated by God to do? Are you willing to say, "Perhaps God," and step out in faith?
- For the sake of the team, be willing to fight through barriers
Too often barriers come up and we just get frustrated and quit, but for the sake of the team you serve you need to be willing to jump into the fire and know that even if you get injured in the process, the team needs this barrier removed. This is usually not a short encounter. It goes back to number 1 on my list, so be fueled up and be ready for the long haul.
What barriers are you letting hinder your progress? How long are you willing to work to overcome that barrier so that those who come behind you aren't hindered by the same issue? Are you willing to let your ceiling be the floor for those who come behind you?
- Allow those above you to take credit for your ideas
The final thought for today is that you need to check your ego at the door. Hopefully you can see the progression of thought in my musings here today. If it is about you, you will never be able to lead from the middle. You may need to make some compromises and find a place you can lead from the top if you can't move past your own narcissism. To lead from the middle you have to be willing to allow those above you to say, "This is a great idea I have," even if you helped them have that idea.
Is your ego holding your organization/team back? Do you need the recognition? Do you need to tell others where the idea really came from? Then maybe your character needs some more refinement before you are truly ready for the top seat.
