John Baldoni, author of Lead Your Boss: The Subtle Art of Managing Up, talks about the benefits of leading from the middle in a Harvard Business IdeadCast.  This is not just a tactic for getting ahead; it’s good for many organizations.  Many companies benefit from hearing from the front lines about customer satisfaction, technical challenges, or operational issues.  By “leading up” employees can effect change within their organization by asserting what’s working and what’s not and suggesting changes proactively rather than waiting to be led.

Advice to managers:  Encourage this and don’t be threatened.

Advice to employees: Frame your arguments in terms of ‘the good of the company’ or you’ll be seen as self-serving.

Listen to it here: Link