Unauthorized Progress-Leading from the Middle: Stories & Proven Strategies for Making Meaningful Impacts

Are you unsure how to implement your good ideas? Do you struggle to put your suggestions into action, or feel stymied as to why your talented people don’t share their best ideas?

Unauthorized Progress reveals inspiring stories of ordinary heroes leading 'from the middle' to achieve extraordinary results in the midst of serious crises, including Hurricane Katrina, wildfires, 9/11, Afghanistan, and a federal shutdown. Adapt their strategies to increase your effectiveness.

Inside you will discover:

• A step-by-step flowchart for leading change from the middle

• Criteria decision-makers use to evaluate initiatives

• Implementation strategies for effectively leading from the middle

• Consultant tools you can adapt for your personal initiatives

Praise for Unauthorized Progress

“… no one has a corner on the market of good ideas. The superior leader encourages idea generation from the troops actually doing the work and rewards those who identify a better way to accomplish the mission.”

- James Loy, Admiral, former Coast Guard Commandant, TSA Administrator, and Deputy Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security

“… a template for action for those seeking to achieve success and make a difference at any level. … will help you recognize opportunities to take charge even when you are not! ... This is a must-read book for anyone who truly desires to break out of the ordinary and become a transformational leader.”

- Donna Barbisch, Major General, U.S. Army (Retired)

“…practical guidance, grounded in real-life experiences, and a step-by-step guide for leading from the middle. After all, ‘we are all in the middle.’”

- John Riordan, Senior Consultant, John Riordan Leadership & Organization Development Coach, Excellence in Government Fellows (1999-2019)

About the Author

Dr. Geoff Abbott is the senior faculty member of the Securities and Exchange Commission's Leadership & Organizational Effectiveness Team, developing, delivering, and overseeing SEC leadership programs. Prior to the SEC, Geoff had a distinguished 30-year Coast Guard career. An Excellence in Government and National Academy of Public Administration Fellow, he has led many workshops on leading change.

For more information, go to www.GeoffAbbottLeadership.com.

Dr. Geoff Abbott is the senior faculty member at the Securities and Exchange Commission's College of Leadership Development (CLD), responsible for development, delivery, and oversight of SEC leadership programs.Prior to joining CLD, Geoff was a thirty-year career Coast Guard officer where he held two commands, led the Performance Excellence Program, chaired the Commandant's Innovation Council, and served as the first CG/DHS Fellow at the Homeland Security Institute.As an Excellence in Government (EIG) Senior Fellow, EIG co-coach and Partnership for Public Service Leadership Alumni Board member (seventeen years), he's led several workshops on leading change from the middle.Geoff holds a Doctorate in Business Administration, conducting research to improve organizational performance through innovationand empowering the workforce, earned two MIT engineering graduate degrees, and a Bachelor of Science degree from the U.S. CoastGuard Academy. A Professional Engineer, Geoff served as a national director of the Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) and isa founding director of MIT's Military Alumni Association.Awards and honors include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service, Medal (four), CG Commendation Medal (two), EIG Senior FellowsCommunity Award, Analytic Services' Platt Award for Authors, SEC's, Veterans Charity Award, SAME's Academy of Fellows, and most recently, a Fellow at the National Academy of Public Administration.Learn more about Geoff and/or contact him on LinkedIn at https: //www.linkedin.com/in/geoffrey‐abbott/.

23rd Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard (Retired)