Leading Up, Down, and Out: Leadership for Managers of Managers

Stepping into a role where you manage other managers requires a fundamental shift in how you lead, communicate, and influence. To succeed, you must learn to navigate relationships in every direction—up to executives, down to your team, and out to cross-functional partners. This text-based course provides the strategic framework needed to transition from managing individual contributors to leading other leaders. You will develop the communication patterns, alignment strategies, and emotional intelligence required to drive organizational impact and build high-performing, autonomous teams. What you'll learn: - Understand the core principles of multi-directional leadership and how to shift your mindset from tactical execution to strategic oversight. - Lead down by coaching, empowering, and supporting your direct-report managers while fostering psychological safety and preventing burnout. - Lead up by communicating effectively with executives, translating operational data into strategic insights, and building trust with senior leadership. - Lead out by building strong cross-functional alliances, managing stakeholder expectations, and driving collaboration across departments. - Apply modern frameworks for managing hybrid or remote teams and making data-informed decisions that align with organizational goals. The course begins with foundational concepts of mid-level leadership, defining the unique challenges of managing other managers. You will then progress through practical, written scenarios and exercises designed to help you handle real-world leadership challenges in all directions. This course is designed for newly promoted mid-level managers, experienced managers preparing for organizational leadership roles, and any people leader wanting to improve their multi-directional influence. No advanced management prerequisites are required. Start reading today to elevate your leadership style and make a lasting impact on your organization.