Leading From the Middle: How to Support the Leaders of Your Organization
In mission-driven organizations, not everyone with influence holds the top title. Especially in Comms/Marketing, many of us manage our own responsibilities, guiding projects, and shaping decisions without being the final authority. I’ve spent most of my career here, often in roles where I’m carrying both the details of execution and the weight of someone else’s vision. It’s a unique vantage point, and if you know how to use it, you can have a real impact.
When done well, leading from the middle strengthens your team’s work and makes the leaders above you more effective. It turns vision into something people can actually experience.
Where You Stand Shapes What You See
Working in the middle gives you a view that senior leaders rarely have. You’re close enough to see the daily realities, yet far enough back to see how different pieces connect. In past roles, I’ve been able to notice small misalignments before they grew into larger problems, and I’ve often found myself connecting teams who didn’t realize they were working toward the same goal.
This position lets you:
Turn a high-level vision into specific, workable steps.
Notice opportunities or issues early.
Build understanding between teams that don’t naturally communicate.
Shift the Conversation to “We”
One of the fastest ways to build trust with leadership is to frame your work in terms of shared goals. Instead of “My campaign needs these assets,” I’ve learned to say, “Here’s what we need to reach our audience for this initiative.” That subtle shift keeps the focus on the outcome we’re working toward together.
Ask the Questions That Keep Everyone Aligned
Leaders juggle more priorities than you can see from the outside. Asking thoughtful, strategic questions can help them, and the whole team, stay grounded in the bigger picture. I often ask:
What do we want people to feel or do because of this?
How will we know if it worked?
How does this fit into what we’ve already committed to?
These conversations don’t just clarify the work. They show that you’re thinking beyond your own department.
Do the Work Before It Gets to Them
In my consulting work, I’ve seen how much time senior leaders spend untangling unclear requests or fixing missing information. One of the best ways to support them is to bring complete, thought-through proposals rather than half-finished puzzles. Gather details, anticipate challenges, and bring solutions alongside the problem.
Set the Tone You Want to See
Leaders notice the way you carry yourself with others. In every role I’ve had, my relationships with peers directly shaped how much leaders trusted me. Inviting input, respecting other perspectives, and keeping the mission in focus builds a culture where collaboration comes naturally.
Keep the Flow of Information Open
You don’t have to be the person who knows everything, but you do need to make sure the right people know what they need to. Pass along updates and context so leadership can make informed decisions, and so your peers understand where things stand. Open communication is about keeping progress visible.
Why It Matters
In many organizations, leaders are stretched thin. They’re setting direction, making high-level decisions, and representing the organization in ways that most people don’t see. When you lead from the middle with intention, you become more than a project manager. You become a trusted partner who can move the mission forward.
What You Build Over Time
Supporting leaders well makes your value clearer. Over time, they’ll turn to you for clarity, insight, and solutions, because you’ve proven you can translate vision into action. And if you ever do step into a higher role, you’ll bring the kind of understanding that only comes from being in the middle.
Want to strengthen how your organization leads from the middle?
I work with mission-driven teams to build the systems, communication habits, and trust that turn leadership vision into real results. If you’re ready to make middle leadership one of your strongest assets, let’s talk. Reach out here →