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Opportunities to Lead
In Scaling Pyramids, you present an in-depth look at the three layers of successful leadership and share with readers your own reflections on what it means to lead with patience. Why was this an important book for you to write?
A lot of the leadership training that focuses on the entry and mid-level is really focused on managing, not leading. A lot of the core leadership literature is focused on the leader at the top. So there is a gap – how to shift from managing to leading, how to lead without authority, how to make meaningful change from the middle.
I had my own struggles with managers who believed they were leaders, but more people fled them than wanted to follow them but I also had some really great role models and influencers, so I wanted to share lessons I learned from both. I also recognized I made (and can continue to make) some mistakes and learned some lessons along my leadership journey. I know I am not the only one, and I know from my leadership journey that more people than just me can learn from those lessons, so I wanted to share them to benefit others. Not Pollyannaish, not “follow these steps and become an instant success,” but real lessons, hard won in the course of a real life.
What is a common misconception you feel people have about becoming a successful leader?
That you have to have a title, rank, or position. The truth is, if you have one follower, you are a leader. The question then becomes, what do you do with that? How can you nurture that flame and grow as a leader? Do you even want to? If the answer is yes, then look for opportunities to lead where you are, regardless of title, rank, or position. I think a second misconception is, “leadership is lonely, I have to do it on my own.” The truth is that to be successful you need to surround yourself with others: role-models, mentors, and coaches that can support you in your leader development and that you in turn can support as you grow.
What is one piece of advice someone gave you that changed your life?
“You know, you seem to carry a lot of anger, and I think you don’t realize how it affects you and those around you.” He actually started the conversation with, “Can I speak into your life?” which was a shocking question for me. And it was a conversation that changed my life because it was a big blind spot that I had, and working with him to recognize it and overcome it changed a lot for me and made me a much better leader. For you, it may not be anger, but recognizing that you have blind spots and finding trusted confidants who will tell you the truth about them and help you work through them is incredibly important.
What is one thing you hope readers take away from your experiences?
For those in the middle, you can lead and make a difference from wherever you are. There is a graphic in the introduction to my book that illustrates my journey through my bureaucratic pyramid. I never made it to the top. I have not been Secretary of State. But I made a difference and an impact on the entire organization, in more ways than I realized. You can, too.
For those at the top, investing in the leadership development of those at the bottom and middle of the organization will make your organization stronger, lead to improved employee retention, and better outcomes. Letting toxic managers flourish will have the opposite effect.
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Scaling Pyramids: Leadership Lessons from a Mid-Level Bureaucrat is an honest, engaging, and research-informed exploration of what it means to lead from the bottom and middle of an organization—especially within complex systems that aren’t always built for innovation, agility, or humanity.
Drawing on more than 25 years of experience as a federal law enforcement officer, diplomat, educator, and public servant, author Christopher Stitt brings a rare combination of street- level credibility and scholarly insight to the leadership conversation. Throughout the book, he weaves together personal stories from his global assignments with contemporary leadership research from behavioral science, organizational psychology, and decision- making theory.
The result is a practical and thought- provoking field guide for those who are tired of waiting for permission to lead—and ready to make a difference right where they are. In these pages, you’ll find lessons on how to influence up, down, and across your organization. You’ll learn how to build trust, coach others, think strategically, and maintain your integrity even when politics or process get in the way. You’ll discover why the middle of the organizational pyramid isnot a waiting room for the next promotion—it’s the center of gravity where culture, performance, and credibility are either built or broken.
Whether you’re managing teams in a government agency, navigating the corporate hierarchy, or trying to make change from within a large institution, Scaling Pyramids offers you a road map grounded in both lived experienc and real evidence. With a voice that is both candid and deeply practical, Stitt reminds us that leadership isn’t about rank—it’s about showing up, stepping up, and speaking up in the moments that matter.
If you’ve ever felt overlooked, underutilized, or underestimated in your role, this book is for you.
It’s time to lead. Not someday—now.
LITERARY TITAN 