The Middle Matters is for leaders who carry the weight, hold the culture, and rarely get the support they need. Hosted by Phillip Edge, creator of Connection-Centered Leadership™, this podcast delivers real talk, practical tools, and powerful insight for mid-level managers leading from the middle. If you’re tired of losing good people and holding it all together alone, this is for you. New episodes drop Mondays and Thursdays at 7PM ET. Because the middle isn’t just where pressure lives—it’s where leadership begins.
Start With Worth, Not With Work | The First Rule Every Real Leader Needs
Disengagement is silently killing teams—and most leaders don’t seeit until it’s too late.
In this kickoff episode of The Middle Matters,I introduce the first of the 10 ConnectionCommandments:
“Start With Worth, Not With Work.”
If you want your people to stay, grow, and contribute at their highest level,you’ve got to start by making them feel seen.
Inside this episode:
· Why nearly 60% of employees are disengaged(Gallup data)
· The real cost of disconnection—and why it startsin the middle
· How to shift from pressure to presence withoutlosing performance
· My personal story of missing it at home and howit changed my leadership
· A simple challenge to reconnect with your teamthis week
💡 These commandmentsare the foundation of Connection-CenteredLeadership™, a framework I teach to help leaders stop disengagement, buildtrust, and keep their best people.
👇 Ready to lead withmore connection and less burnout?
🎯 Book a free strategy session:
https://calendly.com/edgeandassociates/ccl-strategy-session-connection-centered-leadership
📍 Subscribe to The Middle Matters podcast
🎧Available wherever you get your podcasts
🔔 Don’t forget tolike, comment, and share with another leader in the middle.
3 Jul 2025
Why People Feel So Disconnected (And How to Lead Them Back)
Leadership strategist Phillip Edge shares real-world stories, revealing the root causes of disconnection in workplaces and actionable strategies to build lasting connections, fostering trust and thriving teams in this interview.
30 Jun 2025
MiddleMatters| Why You’re Losing Your Best People (And How to Stop It)
Phillip Edge discusses how disconnection, not pay, causes mid-level leaders to lose valuable employees, and Connection-Centered Leadership fosters team commitment.
25 Jun 2025
UnMuted | S1:E6- Don't manage the ashes. Reignite the fire
Phillip Edge shares a personal story and three actionable strategies for listeners to overcome disengagement, reignite their passions, and reconnect with their core values.
19 Jun 2025
UnMuted | S1:E5 – Re-Center the Room: How Real Leaders Eliminate Disengagement Description
Phillip Edge shares three real-life stories about how leaders spot disconnection and re-engage their people, offering insights for team leaders and mentors in this interview episode.
12 Jun 2025
UnMuted | S1:E4 – You’re Not Broken. You’re Disconnected
Phillip Edge discusses disconnection from purpose and self, revealing how it signals a need for reconnection rather than indicating failure.
10 Jun 2025
UnMuted Eps 3: 7 Real Ways to Reignite Connection
The host discusses seven actionable habits to reignite connection within teams, relationships, and personal purpose, offering listeners a pathway to combat disengagement.
5 Jun 2025
What to Do When You’re Ready to Quit… But Can’t.
Phillip Edge shares three powerful steps to help leaders reset their mindset, reevaluate their needs, and rebuild connections before considering resignation.
3 Jun 2025
Burnout Isn’t the Real Problem—Disconnection Is
Phillip Edge explores how disconnection, not burnout, affects team engagement and reveals culture shifts to reconnect with employees, improving leadership and company performance in this episode.
28 May 2025
The Smile That Saved a Life: Why Encouragement Isn’t Optional Anymore
The host shares a personal story highlighting the critical impact of encouragement, demonstrating how simple acts of support can significantly alter someone's path.
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