How to Lead Without Authority: Episode One

In Part One of my Conversation with Scott Mautz, former Procter & Gamble executive and bestselling author of Leading from the Middle. We explore why middle managers play one of the most important roles in any organization—and why the job often feels so challenging.

Scott explains how great leaders influence up, down, and across without relying on formal authority. He shares why middle managers drive organizational change, manage constant competing priorities, and thrive in the “messy middle.” Scott shares lessons from LEGO, the Karasek model, the power of an intrapreneur mindset, and why simple affirmation can have a lasting impact on teams.

Whether you lead projects, people, or both, this episode offers practical leadership lessons you can apply right away.

Leading Through Pressure and Change: Episode Two

In Part Two of my conversation with Scott Mautz, former Procter & Gamble senior executive and bestselling author of Leading from the Middle, we move from why leading in the middle is so challenging to how you can do it well.

Scott shares practical strategies for earning commitment instead of compliance, building accountability without relying on authority, and creating a culture where people feel confident taking smart risks. We also discuss how to lead through uncertainty, manage pressure without passing it on to your team, communicate more effectively in remote and hybrid environments, and influence change from any position in an organization.

If you’re leading projects, managing teams, or trying to make a bigger impact without a bigger title, this episode is full of practical leadership lessons you can put to work immediately.