Lead From Any Level - Leading Up
No matter where you are in an organization—entry-level, mid-level, or reporting to a board—you have the power to lead up. In this episode of The Present Professional, John and Tony explore actionable strategies for influencing leadership and adding value from any seat at the table. Drawing from John Maxwell’s The 360° Leader, they break down the foundational principle of leading yourself exceptionally well, revealing why emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and mindset mastery are the bedrock of upward influence.
You’ll learn how to lighten your leader’s load, build trust through integrity, and develop the relationship chemistry that gets you noticed for the right reasons. From embracing curiosity and asking smart questions to reading the energy in the room and knowing when to push forward, this conversation is full of real-world leadership wisdom. Whether you’re looking to earn that promotion, build stronger relationships with decision-makers, or simply contribute more effectively, this episode offers a playbook to help you rise—one intentional step at a time.
Key Themes:
Leading yourself exceptionally well
Emotional intelligence in upward influence
Building trust with integrity
Lightening your leader’s load
Relationship chemistry with leadership
Embracing curiosity and asking powerful questions
Reading the energy in the room
Doing what others won’t to stand out
Balancing ambition with personal well-being
What we discussed:
1:10 Leading yourself exceptionally well
5:25 Self-awareness in personal leadership
9:10 Lightening your leader’s load
16:29 Growth mindset in leadership
18:38 Doing what others won’t
25:01 Earning your leader’s trust
29:33 Speaking your boss’s language
32:04 Understanding your leader’s principles
34:31 Go-to player qualities
39:14 Trust the process in leadership
Other ways to connect:
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