Mid-Level Leader (MLL) Toolkit
Six Practical Tools Designed to Embed Continuous Improvement into Your Operational Routines
Authors: Moore Philanthropy; Mid-Level Leaders Design Network
Publication Date: 2024
Format: Webtools
Start the ProcessAct with PurposeSustain and Evolve
Catalytic LeadershipStrategic Data Use
Mid-Level Leaders
This resource presents six practical tools tailored to support mid-level leaders driving transformation at the initiative or project level. Developed in collaboration with mid-level leaders across the field, the Mid-Level Leader (MLL) Toolkit addresses the unique role MLLs play in coordinating across departments, managing implementation timelines, and advancing institutional change. Together, these tools help embed continuous improvement into daily operations, strengthen team coordination, and advance equity-centered student success goals.
The full toolkit includes:
Connections to the Transformation Journey
and How Institutions Transform
Stages of Transformation
Start the ProcessAct with PurposeSustain and Evolve
- Start the Process: This resource supports institutions in the early stages of transformation by offering tools to clarify problems, engage stakeholders, and build alignment. The Data Use Toolkit helps mid-level leaders explore key challenges and begin organizing data for reflection, while the Stakeholder Engagement Toolkit provides practical guidance for identifying, mapping, and communicating with those who influence or are affected by change efforts.
- Act with Purpose: For institutions ready to begin implementation, this toolkit offers concrete supports to turn planning into action. The Project Charter Template brings structure to project goals, deliverables, and timelines, while the Team Management Tool helps mid-level leaders clarify roles, foster collaboration, and manage day-to-day operations across teams.
- Sustain and Evolve: After major milestones are reached, the toolkit helps teams capture lessons and communicate impact. The After Action Review supports reflection and improvement, while the Identifying Impact & Value Guide helps mid-level leaders assess and articulate how transformation efforts are driving institutional change and advancing student success.
Learn more about the Transformation Journey and How Institutions Transform.
Core Institutional Capacities
Catalytic LeadershipStrategic Data Use
- Strategic Data Use: The Data Use Toolkit helps teams set meaningful targets and track performance, while the After Action Review supports reflection on lessons learned to improve future efforts, together building institutional habits for data-informed decision-making.
- Catalytic Leadership: Four tools in the MLL Toolkit strengthen Catalytic Leadership by supporting mid-level leaders in managing complex transformation efforts. The Team Management Tool guides formation and coordination of cross-functional teams, while the Stakeholder Engagement Toolkit provides strategies for inclusive and strategic outreach. The Identifying Impact & Value Guide helps leaders communicate the outcomes and significance of their work, and the Project Charter Template streamlines the process of clarifying and sharing project goals across teams.
Learn more about the Transformation Journey and How Institutions Transform.
Continuous Improvement
Mid-Level Leaders
This resource is most relevant to the following cross-functional roles:
- Mid-Level Leaders: The design of the MLL Toolkit was informed by a network of mid-level leaders, for mid-level leaders on the ground helping lead transformation efforts across the country. Each tool is built specifically to cater to the distinct roles MLLs play in the field, informed by lived experiences and research from the field.
This resource connects to the following phase(s) of the PRPAM framework:
- Reflect: The Data Use Toolkit and Stakeholder Engagement Toolkit are most useful early in a continuous improvement process, helping teams clarify challenges, engage key voices, and analyze context before taking action.
- Act: The Project Charter Template and the Team Management Tool are most useful for guiding structured implementation, helping teams clarify objectives and cross-functional roles and responsibilities.
- Monitor: The After Action Review and Identifying Impact & Value Guide are most useful near the end of a continuous improvement process, helping teams document lessons learned, assess progress, and communicate results to internal and external audiences.
Learn more about the Transformation Journey and How Institutions Transform.
Stages of Transformation
Start the ProcessAct with PurposeSustain and Evolve
- Start the Process: This resource supports institutions in the early stages of transformation by offering tools to clarify problems, engage stakeholders, and build alignment. The Data Use Toolkit helps mid-level leaders explore key challenges and begin organizing data for reflection, while the Stakeholder Engagement Toolkit provides practical guidance for identifying, mapping, and communicating with those who influence or are affected by change efforts.
- Act with Purpose: For institutions ready to begin implementation, this toolkit offers concrete supports to turn planning into action. The Project Charter Template brings structure to project goals, deliverables, and timelines, while the Team Management Tool helps mid-level leaders clarify roles, foster collaboration, and manage day-to-day operations across teams.
- Sustain and Evolve: After major milestones are reached, the toolkit helps teams capture lessons and communicate impact. The After Action Review supports reflection and improvement, while the Identifying Impact & Value Guide helps mid-level leaders assess and articulate how transformation efforts are driving institutional change and advancing student success.
Learn more about the Transformation Journey and How Institutions Transform.
Core Institutional Capacities
Catalytic LeadershipStrategic Data Use
- Strategic Data Use: The Data Use Toolkit helps teams set meaningful targets and track performance, while the After Action Review supports reflection on lessons learned to improve future efforts, together building institutional habits for data-informed decision-making.
- Catalytic Leadership: Four tools in the MLL Toolkit strengthen Catalytic Leadership by supporting mid-level leaders in managing complex transformation efforts. The Team Management Tool guides formation and coordination of cross-functional teams, while the Stakeholder Engagement Toolkit provides strategies for inclusive and strategic outreach. The Identifying Impact & Value Guide helps leaders communicate the outcomes and significance of their work, and the Project Charter Template streamlines the process of clarifying and sharing project goals across teams.
Learn more about the Transformation Journey and How Institutions Transform.
Continuous Improvement
Mid-Level Leaders
This resource is most relevant to the following cross-functional roles:
- Mid-Level Leaders: The design of the MLL Toolkit was informed by a network of mid-level leaders, for mid-level leaders on the ground helping lead transformation efforts across the country. Each tool is built specifically to cater to the distinct roles MLLs play in the field, informed by lived experiences and research from the field.
This resource connects to the following phase(s) of the PRPAM framework:
- Reflect: The Data Use Toolkit and Stakeholder Engagement Toolkit are most useful early in a continuous improvement process, helping teams clarify challenges, engage key voices, and analyze context before taking action.
- Act: The Project Charter Template and the Team Management Tool are most useful for guiding structured implementation, helping teams clarify objectives and cross-functional roles and responsibilities.
- Monitor: The After Action Review and Identifying Impact & Value Guide are most useful near the end of a continuous improvement process, helping teams document lessons learned, assess progress, and communicate results to internal and external audiences.
- Strategic Data Use: The Data Use Toolkit helps teams set meaningful targets and track performance, while the After Action Review supports reflection on lessons learned to improve future efforts, together building institutional habits for data-informed decision-making.
- Catalytic Leadership: Four tools in the MLL Toolkit strengthen Catalytic Leadership by supporting mid-level leaders in managing complex transformation efforts. The Team Management Tool guides formation and coordination of cross-functional teams, while the Stakeholder Engagement Toolkit provides strategies for inclusive and strategic outreach. The Identifying Impact & Value Guide helps leaders communicate the outcomes and significance of their work, and the Project Charter Template streamlines the process of clarifying and sharing project goals across teams.
Learn more about the Transformation Journey and How Institutions Transform.
Recommended Citation: Moore Philanthropy (2024). Mid-Level Leader (MLL) Toolkit. The Guide for Postsecondary Changemakers.
