Written by Cari Borden

Some leaders sit at the top, issuing commands from their metaphorical mountain. Others hustle from the front, blazing trails and demanding followers. But me? I lead from the middle.

I’m the one with a view in both directions. I turn to those ahead of me to study their strength, not just to admire it, but to understand it. What habits, mindsets, and decisions built their momentum? What lessons did their missteps leave behind like breadcrumbs on the path? I don’t need perfection to be inspired; I just need honesty. I observe, I absorb, and I add to my ever-growing leadership toolkit.

And just as often, I look behind me, not out of nostalgia or ego, but out of responsibility. I remember what it felt like to be new, unsure, or searching for someone to believe in me. I offer what I can: insight, encouragement, and sometimes just a reminder that you’re not alone. Leadership is a loop, not a ladder.

In learning from others, both forward and behind, I learned more about myself than any course, coach, or corporate seminar could teach me. Because the middle doesn’t just connect people, it reflects them.

Here’s what I’ve learned from the middle:

• Everyone is a mirror. Some reflect who I once was. Others show me who I hope to become. All of them reveal something I need to see.
• Growth isn’t vertical. It’s not just about climbing — it’s about expanding. Wisdom, empathy, and resilience grow outward, not just upward.
• Perspective is power. When you stop assuming your way is the only way, the whole world opens up.

If you’re reading this and feel stuck in the “middle”, professionally, personally, or emotionally, maybe that’s not a setback. Maybe that’s your stage. Your learning lab. Your leadership lens.

Because from the middle, you see everything. And that makes you one hell of a leader.

💬 Let me know, where do you lead from? Have you found unexpected power in the middle?
📌 For coaching, mentoring, or just someone to share the view, find me on Fiverr.
🔁 Like, share, and tag someone who’s been your mirror. They deserve the spotlight too.