MAPS Thriving as a Mid-Level Leader in Today's Workforce

Course Overview

Course Description

Mid-level leaders, or middle managers, are tasked with meeting the demands of people at higher levels of the organization while providing leadership and resources for the people on their team. Mid-level leaders are expected to master the science and art of combining tactical and strategic skills.  In other words, they are expected to operationalize the organization’s strategic plan using agile leadership and management skills with their team, collaboration and partnerships with peers, and tactical responsiveness to the projects and tasks delegated to them.  

Being pulled in multiple directions by upper-level management, peers, and people on your team can be difficult, but not impossible, to overcome.  This training includes research of best practices, small group discussions, exercises, and more to facilitate your continued development as a mid-level leader.  

Intended Audience

This course is designed for professionals at all levels within an organization and in any industry.  It is specifically targeted to people who work in mid-management positions.  The content and interactive activities, and exercises should make for a rich discussion among participants who work in varying levels within an organization’s structure.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Comprehend and describe a broad view of your organization from the perspective of you, your peers, your team, and upper-level management
• Review past research and best practices of effective mid-level leadership
• Quickly adjust priorities as your organization’s needs change
• Reflect, shape, and communicate organizational strategies  to everyone you manage, your peers, and upper-level management
• Understand how your resilience and adaptability help you to navigate through organizational chaos
• Assess your behavior style and learn about other general behavior styles 
• Develop a plan to reinforce and apply the information covered in the training

Course Materials

Course materials will be provided in class.

Instructor

Dr. Todd Suddeth is a leadership educator, executive facilitator, and organizational development strategist dedicated to strengthening public service leadership and helping organizations build more effective, inclusive, and mission-driven cultures. As a Senior Lecturer at The Ohio State University John Glenn College of Public Affairs, Dr. Suddeth bridges academic theory with practical leadership application, preparing current and emerging leaders to navigate complex organizational challenges across the public, nonprofit, and higher education sectors.

At Ohio State, Dr. Suddeth teaches and facilitates learning within the Master of Public Administration and Leadership (MPAL) program and contributes to executive and professional education initiatives including the Management for the Advancement of Public Service (MAPS) program and the Leadership Certificate for Public and Nonprofit Professionals (LCERT). His teaching and facilitation style is known for being engaging, interactive, and grounded in real-world leadership practice. He specializes in leadership development, public management, organizational strategy, social equity, servant leadership, civic engagement, and workforce development.

Dr. Suddeth’s work focuses on helping leaders and organizations increase effectiveness, strengthen collaboration, improve organizational culture, and lead with greater intentionality and impact. He is particularly passionate about developing leaders who can navigate complexity, build trust across diverse communities, and create organizations where people feel empowered, valued, and connected to mission-driven work.

In addition to his faculty role, Dr. Suddeth is the founder and director of Equity Leadership Consulting (ELC), a leadership and organizational development consulting practice that supports government agencies, nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and professionals seeking to improve leadership effectiveness and organizational performance. Through ELC, he provides executive coaching, career coaching, strategic planning facilitation, leadership training, team development, and organizational consulting designed to help individuals and institutions adapt, grow, and lead more effectively in rapidly changing environments.

Prior to his current roles, Dr. Suddeth served as Executive Director of the Student Life Multicultural Center at Ohio State and as a liaison for DACA students within the Office of Student Life. He also held several leadership and administrative positions within Ohio State’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion, where he worked to advance student success, equity, inclusion, and institutional engagement initiatives. Earlier in his career, he served as an Account Manager for INROADS/Columbus and as a Fellow with the Ohio Legislative Service Commission, experiences that further strengthened his understanding of leadership, policy, workforce development, and public service systems.

Dr. Suddeth holds doctoral and master’s degrees from The Ohio State University and earned his bachelor’s degree from The University of Akron. Across his teaching, consulting, and coaching work, he is driven by a belief that leadership is most impactful when it is people-centered, strategic, adaptable, and grounded in service to others.

FAQ's

Follow these steps to make a cancellation:

1. Refer to your registration confirmation email
2. Scroll down to "Cancellation Policy"
3. Follow link in email
4. Enter the confirmation number from the registration email
5. At the top of the page, click on “Cancel Registration” button
6. Click Finish

Follow these steps to make a substitution: 

1. Refer to your registration confirmation email
2. Scroll down to "Substitutions"
3. Follow link in email
4. Enter the confirmation number from the registration email
5. At the top of the page, click on the “Substitute Registrant” button
6. Enter the name and email of the new registrant
7. Click Next
8. Click Confirm

Waitlist
What happens if I am on a waitlist for a course? You will receive an email confirming you have been added to a waitlist. If a spot becomes available, you will be notified by email.  

CEU and CPE Policy
Attendance in this course can earn:

• 0.6 Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
• 7.2 Continuing Professional Education Units (CPEs)

Attendance is recorded at check-in at the start of the day, and full CEU or CPE credit is awarded based on an honor system, with the expectation that participants are present and actively engaged for the full MAPS course.

Course Certificate
Your course certificate will be emailed to you following the course. It will reflect your Continuing Education Units (CEUs) and Continuing Professional Education Units (CPEs) earned and your attendance of the course. 

Photography
The Ohio State University may occasionally take pictures during educational events for use in program communication. If you do not want to be photographed during this course, please email the MAPS team at glenn-training@osu.edu.

MAPS Membership 
A MAPS member receives a discounted rate of $250 for each course with the initial purchase of at least 12 credits. Each credit equals one course for one individual.

To inquire about becoming a MAPS member, please fill out the MAPS Membership Form. A Glenn College Professional Development team member will reach out to you.

Questions or want to learn more?