Leading from the Middle: How Behavioral Coaching and AI can Improve your Leadership Skills.
- Dorian Cunion
- Mar 3
- 4 min read
Updated: Mar 13
Many emerging leaders find themselves "leading from the middle". Whether you are a department chair in a university or a mid-level manager in a corporation, you likely feel the "push-pull" of being accountable to senior executives above you and the teams reporting to you. This position often brings frustration and nihilism because, no matter how hard you work, you always seem to be letting someone down.
The Challenges of being a Middle Managers
Leaders in the middle often struggle to lead effectively because no one has taken the time to help them develop the skills they need to thrive. In many work environments, such as higher education, there is an assumption that because someone has a certain degree or experience, they should instinctively know how to lead. This can make seeking help feel like a sign of weakness or failure. Yet, proactively seeking support is actually a requirement of effective leadership. Recognizing when to reach out for guidance or resources demonstrates self-awareness and commitment to growth, not inadequacy.
Furthermore, common leadership hurdles, such as building trust with former peers, managing ad hoc teams, leading through change, and navigating difficult conversations, can stall even the most talented professionals. Without a dedicated sounding board, these leaders risk burnout or stagnation in their careers.
The Strategy: Behavioral Coaching and AI
During our recent Coaching Gold Podcast with guest Whitney Newcomb, Dr. Rudy Jackson, and Dorian Cunion discussed the role coaching can play in helping emerging leaders grow. While a lot was discussed during the podcast, here are the most significant takeaways.
Behavioral Coaching as a Thought Partnership: Unlike traditional mentoring, which is often tied to a supervisory role, certified coaching provides a safe space for empowerment and creativity. A coach acts as a thought partner to help leaders identify their strengths and align them with their daily tasks, without the risk of you doing or saying something that could impact future promotions or raises.
The Power6 Diagnostic Leadership Evaluation: Rather than focusing solely on personality traits like introversion or extroversion, this behavioral assessment identifies specific leadership skills. By rating yourself on behaviors like delegation, vision-setting, and conflict navigation, you gain more clarity on the areas of leadership you should focus most on developing.
AI as an Accountability Tool: Technology should not be viewed as a replacement for working with a coach, but as a tool to bridge the gap between coaching sessions. AI can serve as a thought partner for reflection, an aid for research, and a resource for reducing the cost related to traditional coaching programs.
The Result: Authentic Influence and Effective Leadership
When leaders commit to working with a behavioral coach to identify their growth areas, define their vision for success, and use an expert to achieve it, they can achieve their goals faster. Combining AI tools with traditional coaching can further accelerate professional development. Our Power6 Leader coaching program helps leaders
Establish ownership of their growth through clear baselines and 360-degree feedback.
Build the skills necessary to set their vision, build trust, and establish goals
Master the ability to guide decision making, delegate effectively, and navigate conflict
Leadership is a journey that starts with self-awareness. When you are self-aware, you are better able to make decisions, communicate effectively, resolve conflicts, build teams, and demonstrate resilience (Clerieblairfoundation.org). By leveraging the right tools and partnerships, you can move from being a leader in title to being the type of person that people want to follow. Every marathon completed is preceded by a first step. Taking the time to read this article was a meaningful first step; the next is apply what you learned to help you grow. Whether you decide to reach out to Whitney, Dorian, or another coach, make some time this month to talk with a certified coach, learn what they do, and determine whether working with a coach can accelerate your professional development.
About Our Guest Dr. Whitney Newcomb, Ph.D., is the founder of Rooted to Rise Coaching & Consulting. A tenured professor and Chair of Educational Leadership at VCU, she brings over 30 years of experience to her practice, focusing on inclusive leadership, conflict resolution, and organizational influence.
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Connect with Dr. Whitney Newcomb at www.rootedtoriseconsulting.com to explore executive, team, or health and wellness coaching packages.
To learn more about the Power6 Leader Program and how it can transform your executive presence, reach out to Dorian Cunion at www.yourpathexecutivesolutions.com to schedule a discovery session.
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