In his nearly thirty years of teaching leadership, John Maxwell has encountered this question again and again: How do I apply leadership principles if I'm not the boss? Section I: The Myths of Leading from the Middle of an Organization Myth #1 The Position Myth: ``I can't lead if I am not at the top.'' 5(6) Myth #2 The Destination Myth: ``When I get to the top, then I'll learn to lead.'' 11(6) Myth #3 The Influence Myth: ``If I were on top, then people would follow me.'' 17(4) Myth #4 The Inexperience Myth: ``When I get to the top, I'll be in control.'' 21(4) Myth #5 The Freedom Myth: ``When I get to the top, I'll no longer be limited.'' 25(4) Myth #6 The Potential Myth: ``I can't reach my potential if I'm not the top leader.'' 29(4) Myth #7 The All-or-Nothing Myth: ``If I can't get to the top, then I won't try to lead.'' 33(6) Section II: The Challenges 360-Degree Leaders Face Challenge #1 The Tension Challenge: The Pressure of Being Caught in the Middle 39(8) Challenge #2 The Frustration Challenge: Following an Ineffective Leader 47(6) Challenge #3 The Multi-Hat Challenge: One Head . . . Many Hats 53(8) Challenge #4 The Ego Challenge: You're Often Hidden in the Middle 61(6) Challenge #5 The Fulfillment Challenge: Leaders Like the Front More Than the Middle 67(6) Challenge #6 The Vision Challenge: Championing the Vision Is More Difficult When You Didn't Create It 73(4) Challenge #7 The Influence Challenge: Leading Others Beyond Your Position Is Not Easy 77(8) Section III: The Principles 360-Degree Leaders Practice to Lead Up Lead-Up Principle #1 Lead Yourself Exceptionally Well 85(10) Lead-Up Principle #2 Lighten Your Leader's Load 95(8) Lead-Up Principle #3 Be Willing to Do What Others Won't 103(8) Lead-Up Principle #4 Do More Than Manage---Lead! 111(8) Lead-Up Principle #5 Invest in Relational Chemistry 119(8) Lead-Up Principle #6 Be Prepared Every Time You Take Your Leader's Time 127(6) Lead-Up Principle #7 Know When to Push and When to Back Off 133(6) Lead-Up Principle #8 Become a Go-To Player 139(6) Lead-Up Principle #9 Be Better Tomorrow Than You Are Today 145(6) Section IV: The Principles 360-Degree Leaders Practice to Lead Across Lead-Across Principle #1 Understand, Practice, and Complete the Leadership Loop 151(8) Lead-Across Principle #2 Put Completing Fellow Leaders Ahead of Competing with Them 159(4) Lead-Across Principle #3 Be a Friend 163(8) Lead-Across Principle #4 Avoid Office Politics 171(8) Lead-Across Principle #5 Expand Your Circle of Acquaintances 179(8) Lead-Across Principle #6 Let the Best Idea Win 187(8) Lead-Across Principle #7 Don't Pretend You're Perfect 195(8) Section V: The Principles 360-Degree Leaders Practice to Lead Down Lead-Down Principle #1 Walk Slowly Through the Halls 203(6) Lead-Down Principle #2 See Everyone as a ``10'' 209(10) Lead-Down Principle #3 Develop Each Team Member as a Person 219(10) Lead-Down Principle #4 Place People in Their Strength Zones 229(6) Lead-Down Principle #5 Model the Behavior You Desire 235(6) Lead-Down Principle #6 Transfer the Vision 241(6) Lead-Down Principle #7 Reward for Results 247(4) Conclusion 251(2) Notes 253(2) About the Author 255