The Middle Seat explores the space where most leadership truly happens, between big vision and everyday reality. It speaks to leaders who carry expectations from above while supporting the people they lead, navigating pressure from every direction with limited authority and unlimited responsibility.
Through relatable stories and honest reflections, the book uncovers the quiet art of middle leadership — balancing ambition with empathy, structure with flexibility, and performance with peace. It reveals how influence is built through clarity, presence, and steady choices that rarely make noise but always make an impact.
The Middle Seat invites readers to see this role not as a temporary step, but as a stage where real leadership is formed. The skills learned here — translating vision, creating trust, handling ambiguity, representing multiple perspectives — become the foundation for the next level. This is leadership as a lived experience: thoughtful, imperfect, and deeply human.
For anyone who has ever led from the middle, this book offers recognition, perspective, and the confidence to lead forward — from right where you are.
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Prashantha Kumar
Prashantha Kumar is a seasoned digital technology leader with over two decades of experience shaping strategy, building global teams, and strengthening organisational culture across Sweden, India, the US, and the APEC region.
He is known for blending clarity and compassion — a rare combination that makes him both an impactful leader and a trusted mentor.
Prashantha played a key role in establishing and scaling the Volvo Cars India Tech Hub, working closely with global leaders to build engineering excellence, operational maturity, and a culture rooted in transparency and trust.
His career has spanned roles in engineering, people leadership, digital transformation, and strategic execution, giving him a unique 360-degree view of how organisations truly work.
Beyond the corporate world, he is a storyteller, coach, content creator, and advocate for well-being-driven leadership. His writings and talks reflect a belief that leadership is not about title or authority, but about presence, balance, and humanity.
He lives in Bangalore with his family, where he continues to mentor leaders, build communities, and explore ways to integrate purpose, mindfulness, and modern leadership into everyday life.
