The Middle Manager’s Toolkit: Balancing Upward and Downward Leadership

Overview: Middle managers in higher education are often pulled in two directions: supporting and coaching their staff while also advocating effectively with senior leadership. This “middle space” comes with unique challenges in communication, accountability, and resource management—yet it also offers opportunities to influence both organizational culture and outcomes. This interactive roundtable will equip participants with practical tools to balance upward and downward leadership. Through structured conversation and guided reflection, attendees will explore strategies for managing staff expectations, building trust with supervisors, and navigating conflicting demands. The facilitator will provide brief framing on “managing down” and “managing up,” followed by small- and large-group discussions where participants share challenges, successes, and practical solutions. Participants will leave with a personalized action plan and concrete tools—such as the SBI feedback framework and stakeholder mapping—that can be applied immediately in their own contexts.