How Communicators Can Lead From The Middle

Communication professionals are also producers. We do the work while extending our reach across many areas of an organization. Communication professionals also serve as trusted advisors responsible for helping senior leaders navigate management-related obstacles. Therefore, when a project involves many divisions and incorporates an element of communication, they are frequently appointed to lead, even though their title and job might not be directly related to the work. That’s why I call it “leading in the middle.” So, the challenge starts where specific mental models remain stuck in the notion of hierarchy. This is a problem that isn’t written into the plan for the project but which is essential to work on. If colleagues’ and superiors’ minds are focused on the notion of hierarchy, is it possible to continue to be a leader? Yes. You may, at times, try to climb mountains? Yes. Will your boss be on hand to guide you down an avenue? Yes, but you have to make your own decisions. What can you do?

Know Your Role

Your team’s leadership would not have been able to ask to accept this task even if they were not convinced you were capable of it. While it can provide you with a sense of satisfaction, it doesn’t resolve the issue. There is a task to complete. Be focused on the role you’re able to play in making your project an accomplishment. Sometimes, the position is performing the job. Sometimes it’s leading other people to lead and take charge of new projects and learning new abilities that improve your performance and team.

Work It

Titles don’t mean everything. It’s the same regarding relationships. Your coworkers know you, and if you’re a great coworker, you’ll be able to ask them to assist. If you’re new to the workplace, there are plenty of coffee-based meetings to schedule. Learn about the people you have to work with to make the venture an accomplishment. If people can help positively, they will usually be. It would help if you showed appreciation when you could.

Plan In Advance

Simple, right? As the project develops, noting down the “to do’s” is vital, and making preparations for the next step and taking six steps to get there from where you are will help you save time, energy, and even money. (“Change the order Do you need to change your order?”) Speak up to your colleagues, your boss, or anyone else who can help you if you notice a problem approaching. Once you see it, pinpoint the cause and talk to your colleagues about possible solutions. Once you have addressed it, clear the way and search for the next hurdle.

Look Back

Through this exhausting, long journey, take a moment and reflect on the things you and your coworkers have achieved. What would you wish you were aware of earlier in the project? Do you think this information could save you time for another aspect or aspect of your project? In this case, for example, if your coworkers have missed an important deadline, what could you do in the following months to ensure they can meet the deadline and meet the common goals of your project? Are you required to collaborate with leaders to emphasize that it’s essential for their teams’ involvement? Do you have the ability to engage with your colleagues to let some of their burdens give them the time and energy to finish the project’s outputs? While you’re looking back, do so quickly. Be sure not to get stuck since you’re going forward, not backward.

Huddle

To keep your sanity, Keep your mouth open and honest to yourself and the huddle. Depend on the core group of individuals to help you answer various questions, including the most important, “Is what we strive to achieve feasible?” You might also think, “Is this a stretch target that we can put aside to phase 2?” And as a boss once told my work “You can tell when you’ve gone over the line.”

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Samatha Vale
Samatha a senior writer for HC's entertainment team. She is an entreprenuer, mother and an excellent writer. She's also an avid reader, music enthusiast and all around inquisitive person - which is just a nice way of saying she's nosy.

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