1.7 LEAD Model of Leadership

Leadership can ennoble and have a significant positive influence on individuals, teams, organizations, and societies. This happens when leaders demonstrate the four fundamental qualities of leadership: Learning, Empathy, Authenticity, and Drive (LEAD). These four fundamental qualities of positive leaders comprise the LEAD model of leadership.

First, leaders engage in learning. They embrace a growth mindset that accelerates individual and team learning. By learning deeply and consistently, leaders are able to reinvent themselves and spur innovation. By being open to learning, leaders are better able to adapt to uncertain, ever-changing, and volatile environments.

Second, leaders engage in empathy. An empathetic leader has the ability to understand, care about, and share the feelings of others. Empathetic leaders are curious and interested in others and their lived experiences. Empathy promotes understanding and high-quality connections with others, allowing for the integration of diverse perspectives and the creation of truly collaborative solutions.

Third, leaders act with authenticity. Authentic leaders are genuine and trustworthy. They understand and live their values every day regardless of their circumstances. These leaders are authentic in that they have a high degree of self-awareness and are true to themselves. At the organizational level, living key values becomes the foundation of a positive culture.

Fourth, leaders demonstrate drive. Leaders with drive are determined and motivated even amidst challenging circumstances. They understand their “why,” and it fuels them to work tirelessly for meaningful impact for employees, customers, and other stakeholders.

Together, these four qualities can help you develop as a leader. These foundational qualities will help you have a positive influence, navigate difficult organizational tensions, and lead ethically. In the chapters that follow, you will learn more about each of these pillars, how they relate to leadership, and how to integrate them in your individual practice of leading.