Momentum from the Middle
The Fulling team just finished a new video together during recent staff meetings, Momentum from the Middle by Clay Scroggins.
“In a world flooded with leadership content, "Momentum from the Middle" stands out. Clay Scroggins focuses on the often-overlooked group in the heart of organizations—middle-level leaders. These individuals, feeling powerless and unseen, can become unexpected change agents. Through vivid stories and practical advice, Scroggins shows how to leverage influence, dismantle traditional leadership myths, and ignite lasting momentum. You will explore three key movements:
Believing in middle-driven change.
Acquiring transformational skills.
Harnessing momentum's force.
This series empowers middle leaders to create a dynamic ripple effect, transforming their organizations from the inside out.“
Clay emphasizes that momentum is a game-changer for any organization, driving engagement, high returns on effort, innovation, and the ability to conceal mistakes. The "middle" is key for momentum, as it's where leaders' visions come to life. To create momentum, three essential steps are:
Believe it’s possible
Embrace meaningful change
Let your ideas be propelled forward with confidence.
A strong leader, belief, and a unified team drive momentum, with critical thinking and stepping away from technology being essential for idea creation. Leadership, belief in oneself, a powerful idea, and a unified team are key components for momentum.
Creating momentum requires emotional intelligence to embrace change, and effective communication when challenging the status quo. Clay’s four lessons for challenging leaders are:
Challenge with the right motives
Understand your boss’s interests
Know what's core vs. peripheral
Communicate strategically.
By believing in the possibility of change and strategically challenging the status quo, you can drive momentum from within.
Momentum drives success, while stagnation stifles progress. Crocs reignited its popularity through innovation, empowerment, and collaboration:
Innovation – They partnered with designers to create buzz and excitement, making innovation central to their success.
Empowerment – Crocs' middle managers fostered a culture where employees' ideas were valued, fueling enthusiasm and creativity.
Collaboration – They teamed up with other brands and aligned with social causes to broaden their reach and impact.
Newton’s First Law of Inertia states that an object at rest stays at rest unless acted upon by an outside force. Leverage momentum to propel your organization forward.
Conversation Questions and Food For Thought:
Is it really possible to create momentum from the middle?
2. How does excitement within the workplace affect your initiative and creativity?
3. What resources and untapped potential do you have access to in your current position?
4. Can you think of a time when you were part of a unified team that shared an incredible success?