You only live once but if you do it right, once is enough

Not all leadership is taught. Some of it is observed, some is absorbed, and most of it is shaped through experience.

Over the last few weeks, i have shared a leadership model rooted in what has been observed from real people driving real change in fast paced, complex environments.

This model is not meant to box people in, but to offer a language and lens through which we can better understand ourselves, our teams, and our collective leadership journey.

🎯 Why this model works:

✅ It’s simple, not simplistic.
✅ It focuses on core traits that show up in GCCs every day.
✅ It’s about fluidity, not rigidity.
✅ It helps leaders and teams reflect, evolve, and collaborate better.
✅ It’s built for easy adoption, for team discussions, org development, or even 1:1 coaching.

🔍 A Quick Recap: The 4 Archetypes.

🧭 The Compass Leader – brings direction, clarity, and strategy.
🪞 The Mirror Leader – amplifies voices, builds trust, and drives reflection.
⚓️ The Anchor Leader – creates calm, reliability, and stability in complexity.
🔥 The Flame Leader – sparks momentum, energy, and transformation.

🧠 How to use this model:

• For self awareness ask yourself: What is my default style? When does it work? When doesn’t it?
• For team design: Build a team that balances each other. Don’t over index on one type.
• For development: Use it in feedback sessions, succession planning, or coaching conversations.
• For transformation: Understand what leadership traits are needed for the phase you are in – starting up, scaling, integrating, or evolving.

You don’t have to master all four styles.
But you do need to know what is missing, what’s needed, and when to shift.

Leadership in Capability Centers is no longer about command and control. It is about conscious, collaborative, and contextual leadership.

Sometimes, all it takes is a model to start the right conversations.

If you are a leader, which of these styles do you see most in action? What’s your own leadership blend?

Let’s keep learning from each other. Leadership is not just taught, it is shared.

Read my previous posts for a detailed description on each leadership archetype.