The career path from mid-manager to executive leader can be tricky and you may often wonder why your hard work and diligence hasn’t been rewarded with promotion. Take a beat and consider why you’re stuck. This may surprise you but being known as the dependable finisher completer could be exactly why you are overlooked for leadership roles.
We often hear from professionals at the mid management level who feel they are stagnating in their careers. The secret to get unstuck is to It shifting perception from being a high-performing manager to becoming strategic leader.
As executive coach Maya Grossman puts it,
“You can either be the dependable ‘doer,’ or you can be seen as leadership material, but rarely both.”
So, what’s the real difference between managing and leading?
How to recognise the mid-management trap
You might be stuck if your calendar is filled with urgent tasks instead of strategic work, you’re praised for being reliable but not visionary, and you’re too busy to contribute to company-wide goals.
To climb the leadership ladder, you’ll need to shift perception within your organisation.
Let’s get you started.
Shift Your Own Mindset
1. Embrace a Visionary Approach
Leaders think beyond daily tasks, instead set long-term goals and align your team’s work with the organisation’s mission.
Tip: Regularly reflect on how your projects contribute to your company’s strategic objectives and help others see the “why” behind the work and bring them along with you.
2. Focus on Strategic Impact
Moving up means prioritising value, not output volume. Let’s be frank, it’s now up to you to take ownership of outcomes that matter at the organisational level.
Tip: Delegate or automate low-priority tasks to free up time and space for higher-level initiatives.
3. Foster a Culture of Trust and Empowerment
On a basic level we understand managers manage whereas leaders empower. Focus on building trust between you and your team to take ownership and make decisions.
Tip: Encourage open dialogue, don’t micromanage instead support growth to create a high-performing, self-motivated team.
4. Expand Your Organisational Perspective
Start thinking cross-functionally. Consider how your work impacts other departments and the organisation as a whole.
Ask yourself: What role does my team play in achieving company-wide goals?
5. Communicate Like an Executive
Executives communicate outcomes, not just actions. Hone talking like a leader and you can get our tips on LinkedIn here
6. Develop Emotional Intelligence and self-awareness
Strong leaders understand their own emotions and those of others. Emotional intelligence helps navigate stress, manage conflict, and build resilient teams.
Tip: Practice self-awareness, seek feedback, and listen actively to understand team dynamics. If you haven’t already you could take a personality test like Myers Briggs or True Colours. This is an excellent starting point on the path to self awareness.
7. Cultivate a Growth Mindset
We often talk about a growth mindset on our programmes and not just for senior leaders. Although the difference between managers and leaders is that leaders see challenges as opportunities.
Tip: Promote professional development, encourage feedback, and celebrate progress instead of focusing only on results.
8. Lead by Example
Leadership isn’t just about what you say. It’s what you do. Model integrity, accountability, and resilience.
Tip: Show up consistently with a positive attitude and the behaviours you want to see in others.
Before you take your next career move, take time to reflect on your motivation and consider why you want to lead, what impact do you want to make and who for.
As Lisa Haisha, life coach to the stars, said:
“Great leaders don’t set out to be a leader, they set out to make a difference. It’s never about the role, it’s always about the goal.”
Final Takeaway
To recap on the guidance outlined above to move from management to leadership, stop focusing on tasks alone. Start thinking, acting, and communicating like the leader you want to become.
Let’s be honest this transformation doesn’t happen overnight. But with intentional effort, the right support, and a strategic mindset, you can break through the mid-management ceiling.
Ready to take the next step?
Our leadership courses for managers are designed to help professionals like you lead with confidence, clarity, and impact.