Middle managers have a tough job these days. Learning to lead from the middle can help your company thrive.

Step one: Stop being concerned about your status inside the company. When in a meeting or one on one don’t think about who likes you or who your alliances are with.  This thought process alone frees up your thinking.

Step two: Genuinely ask for knowledge.  Show your team, your group, your manager vulnerability. It’s very scary but showing you don’t know everything gives freedom for others to ask for knowledge as well. Ask others to teach you things. Express gratitude when a team member offers the knowledge you didn’t have. Create honest humility in yourself.

Step three: Build a culture within the 15 feet of your desk that accepts mistakes as fuel for brilliance.