If the themes in these podcasts resonate, and you sense your mid-level managers could benefit from deeper reflection and peer exchange, consider joining our monthly online community. Hosted by Roddy Millar, it’s a relaxed yet purposeful space where leadership challenges are unpacked with insight and camaraderie. Each session offers structure without rigidity, and conversation without jargon. To learn more or explore joining, drop us a line at: [email protected]

👉Read the full Zombie Leadership article on Ideas for Leaders here: https://ideasforleaders.com/Ideas/zombie-leadership-outdated-theory-still-creates-hero-leaders/

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In this episode of The Power Between by Ideas for Leaders, host Roddy Millar speaks with Judy Flaschmann, with years of experience in both charity and public sectors. Judy shares the challenges mid-level managers face and why peer support, self-reflection, and emotional intelligence are key to strong leadership today.

Judy Flaschmann, a leadership and development expert, talks about her path from HR studies to leading manager training in a large UK government office. She explains how early experiences in drama and teaching shaped her passion for helping managers grow, and why support, reflection, and mindset shifts matter most in middle leadership roles.

Key Topics:

• The Bridge Role: How middle managers sit between teams and senior leaders, often feeling stuck in between.
• Letting Go: Why stepping up means giving up control and trusting others to do things differently.
• Peer Power: How peer support groups can help managers feel less alone and grow together.
• Mindset Shifts: Why comfort with change, tension, and unclear answers is key to leading well.
• Real Growth: The need for leaders to reflect, connect, and protect time for their own learning.

[00:00:00] Teaser

[00:02:00] Judy shares her early path into HR and how a volunteer workshop shifted her focus to learning and development

[00:04:24] Moving from small charities to national roles and how remote work helped shape her hybrid training experience

[00:06:38] Judy explores the real challenges of stepping into middle management and the shift in needed skills

[00:13:55] The "bridge" analogy: Judy explains how middle managers live between senior leaders and teams

[00:17:55] Why relationships and influence, not control are key for middle leaders to succeed and grow

[00:19:35] Judy unpacks the value of peer groups and shared identity in managing emotional work and pressure

[00:26:53] Supporting middle managers: balancing operations with strategy and building system awareness

[00:33:35] The human side of leadership, emotions, mindset shifts, and building habits for long-term growth

[00:34:58] Why reflection never ends and how every transition is a new leadership test

📚 Resources:

👉 Subscribe to DLQ just for $3 for 3 months - https://developingleadersquarterly.com/

👉 Read this article from DLQ46 for free on ‘From Compete and Compare to Collaborate and Care’ - https://developingleadersquarterly.com/from-compete-and-compare-to-collaborate-and-care/?share=ccyoGhQUZSYB

👉 Coaching as a Leader book - https://amzn.to/4lyY9yV

Follow our guest, Judy Flaschmann:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/judy-flaschmann-b7b05a30/

Follow the Host, Roddy Miller:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roddymillar/

Follow Ideas For Leaders:

Website: https://ideasforleaders.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ideas-for-leaders/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ideasforleaders.dlq

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ideasforleaders/

X (Twitter): https://x.com/ideas4leaders

Listening Links:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2NHgbWdUlJS8z1aSTgcIYt?si=d4f19ce12516420f

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-power-between/id1842080646

Podcast site: https://ideasforleaders.com/

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