Middle Leadership with Mind Maps

In this in-depth conversation, Bill Lowe explores how mind mapping supports the development of middle leaders across sectors. Drawing from his MTI (Middle Leadership) training programme, Bill demonstrates how visual thinking tools help leaders reflect, plan, delegate, and problem-solve more effectively. From strategic mapping to performance reviews and academic writing, he shows how mind maps support both structured learning and practical leadership. Timestamped Themes & Topics [00:00:00] – Introduction & Context Host Graham Hughes welcomes Bill and introduces the focus on middle leadership beyond schools. [00:00:47] – Early Experiences with Mind Mapping Bill recalls his A3-paper-and-pens days and how digital mapping enhances clarity and structure. [00:03:17] – The MTI Training Approach Describes MTI as a blended model starting with on-demand content and reflection-based learning. [00:04:09] – Role of Templates & User Adaptation Discussion about offering templates while encouraging users to develop their own through reflection. [00:05:45] – Mind Map Demo: Why Creative Change Fails Interactive map used as a cause-and-effect tool to explore why innovation often stalls in organisations. [00:07:20] – Mapping Change with Kotter’s Framework Applying Kotter's change model to identify issues such as poor alignment, missing funding, or lack of early wins. [00:08:55] – Collaborative Mapping in Teams Using maps to identify stakeholders and form guiding coalitions for change initiatives. [00:09:39] – Linking Maps to Documents & Presentations Showing how maps can be layered and linked to scripts, budgets, and pitch material. [00:10:34] – Embedding OKRs & KPIs in Mind Maps Leveraging nested maps to track objectives and performance indicators without clutter. [00:11:35] – Delegation Challenges in Middle Leadership Using maps to illustrate case studies and key reasons why delegation goes wrong. [00:12:39] – Peer Collaboration with Maps Encouraging teams of middle leaders to co-create shared mind maps for reflection and strategy. [00:13:26] – Delegation & Psychological Safety Exploring the dynamics of authority, accountability, and managing up vs. managing down. [00:14:19] – The Reality of Being Stretched in the Middle Middle leaders often get pressure from above while managing overstretched front-line teams. [00:15:19] – The Perception Gap in Empathy Distinguishing real empathy from intellectualised sympathy—leaders must act, not just acknowledge. [00:16:04] – Influence, Constraints & Power Dynamics Insights into navigating charismatic senior leaders who may not support middle leaders’ autonomy. [00:16:51] – Kotter & Phil Wood: Models for Change Kotter’s eight steps and Wood’s concept of "zombie leadership" where changes are passively accepted but never implemented. [00:18:20] – Delegation Suitability Checklist Mind map-based tool to help leaders evaluate whether and how to delegate key responsibilities. [00:21:52] – Interest, Capability & Readiness in Delegation A framework to assess team members’ willingness and preparedness to take on delegated tasks. [00:22:39] – Avoiding Delegation-as-Abdication Discussion of the need to transfer responsibility carefully, not dump unwanted tasks. [00:23:29] – Prioritisation Grids & Practical Planning Encouraging leaders to map what they’ll stop/start and do more/less of to create strategic space. [00:24:16] – Performance Review Mapping Creating a branch-based framework for staff reviews: objectives, achievements, development points. [00:25:46] – Individualising the Process The value of tailoring maps to individual contexts and having honest dialogues about applicability. [00:26:35] – Encouraging Dialogue & Shared Goals Mind maps as a way to explore contributions to trust, feedback, and collaboration. [00:27:13] – HBR Map & Weekly Learning Curation Bill shows his weekly capture of Harvard Business Review content, organised into topical branches. [00:28:13] – Academic Use: Mapping for Article Writing Citing sources, mapping structure, and capturing arguments and critiques in academic work. [00:29:54] – Openness vs. Prescriptiveness in Leadership Training Advocating flexibility in applying leadership theory—"here’s a model, but adapt it." [00:30:42] – Critical Thinking and Balanced Perspectives Using maps to show strengths and limitations of research and approaches. [00:31:46] – Content Capture for Thought Leadership Example of mapping a LinkedIn post on trust and collaboration for reuse and writing. [00:32:39] – Exporting Mind Maps into Structured Documents Using AOA’s export function to convert maps into outlines and editable Word documents. [00:33:21] – Clockwise Structure & Numbering for Export Following the convention of arranging branches from the 1 o’clock position for logical flow. [00:34:54] – Accessibility & Assistive Tech Mind mapping’s role in breaking content into manageable chunks—useful for neurodiverse learners.