"Stuck in the middle with ..."

Being in the middle. Often we see the middle as mediocre, average, or not being the best. Being the middle child is hard (that's me!) The middle seat on the airplane isn't a coveted spot. Being 'caught in the middle' usually proves challenging. But today let's think about the middle as a positive thing and actually something to strive for...here's what I mean.

See the picture above? That's you in the middle. You have experience, education, talents and skills that you have developed. No matter where you are on your professional journey, there are people who are ahead of you down the path (i.e., more experience, more education, and/or more skills) and there are people coming along after you (not as much experience, education and/or skills.) You are in the middle.

So let's identify who is ahead of you. Who has experience or education or a skill-set you admire? Who is a step ahead of you that you can learn from? Identify one to two people down the path from you that could mentor you.

Now let's identify who is coming up behind you. Who is growing and gaining experience that you've already gained? Who is an emerging leader motivated to learn and achieve? Who can you teach? Who can learn from you?

Once those two steps are done, you can see you are in the middle. Tell the person you admire what you want to learn from them and ask them if they'll mentor you. Next offer to 'show the ropes' to the person coming behind you. Look to be in the middle. It's the best place to be.

-Mindy Muller, CFRE, President/CEO of CDP

#leadership #nonprofits #mentorshipmatters #middle #communitydevelopmentprofessionals