The six Virtuosi LEAP Leadership Pillars house a vast array of leadership lessons covered in our flagship program, LEAP, which is conducted in collaboration with The Aspen Institute and Yale School of Management. Each Leadership Pillar is also the core focus in one of the six classes of our latest LEAP Essentials course, which is taught by esteemed Presidents and CMOs who bring their expertise to life through interactive group exercises and real-world examples.
Below is a robust sample of great tips within each pillar from recent LEAP Alumni discussions and LEAP Essential classes led by Daniel Cherry III, David Edelman, Deborah Wahl, Gail Tifford, Nick Tran, Rebecca Messina, and Tariq Hassan, reinforced by the foundational teachings of Antonio Lucio who originally founded LEAP in 2010.
Pillar 1 - REINFORCE YOUR FOUNDATION
Establish a Strong Leadership Base with Purpose and Values
Leadership begins with self-awareness. To lead effectively, you must first master yourself—your purpose, values, and vision. These elements evolve over time but remain your guiding light.
- Frequent Reflection – Regular self-evaluation refines your evolving purpose.
- Define What You Don’t Want – Clarity often comes from recognizing misalignment.
- Progress Over Perfection – Focus on growth, not an unattainable ideal.
- Work as a Canvas for Purpose – Your job isn’t your purpose, but a medium where it unfolds.
- Find Your Ikigai – Align what you love, what you’re good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for.
- Embrace Change – Allow yourself to evolve and redefine your path.
- Lead with Purpose – Let your values shape your leadership style and decisions.
- Establish Non-Negotiables – Uphold the core values that define you.
Pillar 2 - UNDERSTAND THE LANDSCAPE
Navigate the Organizational Framework and Team Dynamics
Great leaders recognize that context shapes connection. Success requires understanding team dynamics, company culture, and organizational politics.
- Recognize Workplace Politics as Tools – Politics are how decisions are made. Learn to navigate them to have the most impact.
- Know Key Decision-Makers – Focus efforts on those who influence outcomes.
- Identify Organizational Currency – What is valued most (relationships, expertise, execution)?
- Understand People's Motivations – Agendas are different from Goals. Are they driven by the consumer, career growth, company goals, or culture?
- Remove Assumptions – Direct conversations reveal true intentions.
- Assess Company Culture – Take stock of key culture indicators, especially if there are challenging circumstances such as a lack of succession planning or rotational programs.
- Gauge Leadership Support – Stay connected with senior leaders to align and adapt.
Pillar 3 - CLEAR THE PATH
Removing Barriers and Addressing Tension
Leadership isn’t about avoiding conflict—it’s about addressing it with clarity and courage. By removing obstacles, leaders create an environment where innovation thrives.
- Set Clear Expectations – Provide clarity through defined goals.
- Communicate Transparently – Keep teams informed to build trust.
- Lead with Vulnerability – Authenticity strengthens trust and relationships.
- Foster Psychological Safety – Create safe spaces for honest and caring conversation.
- Celebrate Failures as Learning Moments – Encourage growth through trial and error.
- Eliminate Excuses – Shift to a mindset of accountability and action.
- Address Conflict Directly – Honest conversations resolve tension.
- Stay Consumer-Focused – When agendas clash, prioritize what best serves the consumer and/or customer.
- Break Through Bureaucracy – Prioritize agility and speed over unnecessary red tape.
Pillar 4 - BUILD BRIDGES
Cultivating Meaningful Relationships for Growth
Strong leadership is built on relationships. A well-connected leader fosters collaboration, trust, and influence.
- Recognize That “The Network Is the Work” – Strong connections create stability.
- Understand Stakeholder Agendas – Be mindful of differing priorities.
- Engage Advocates – Mentors guide, but advocates champion your success.
- Be Intentional with Time – Focus on meaningful interactions.
- Build Trust Through Honesty – Authenticity strengthens bonds.
- Foster Curiosity – Seek to understand people beyond their roles.
- Ensure Information Flows Freely – Transparency fosters efficiency and trust.
- Coach and Mentor – Open doors for others to succeed.
- Strengthen Gatekeeper Relationships – Key facilitators help get things done.
- Encourage Team Networking – Help your team build meaningful professional relationships.
- Leave a Lasting Impression – Be seen as valuable, reliable, and indispensable.
Pillar 5 - STRENGTHEN YOUR TEAMS
Building and Empowering a High-Performing Team
A leader’s success is measured by the strength of their team. Empowered teams thrive in environments of trust, transparency, and accountability.
- Shape a Strong Culture – Encourage risk-taking and normalize failure.
- Balance Visionaries with Executors – Teams need both dreamers and doers.
- Be a Parent, Not a Friend – Prioritize team growth over personal popularity.
- Communicate Openly – Align teams on goals, strategies, and challenges.
- Seek and Implement Feedback – Continuous improvement fosters success.
- Encourage Radical Transparency – Share as much as possible to build trust.
- Eliminate Unnecessary Meetings – Respect time and efficiency.
- Delegate to Develop – Assign tasks that build team capability.
- Protect and Advocate for Your Team – Shield them from unnecessary distractions.
- Prioritize People First – Culture, promotions, and HR updates should take precedence in meetings.
- Embrace Failure as Growth – Encourage innovation by creating a safe space for learning.
Pillar 6 - BOOST ENDURANCE
Weatherproof Your Leadership for Long-Term Resilience
Resilient leaders endure challenges while maintaining well-being. The ability to recalibrate and persist defines long-term success.
- Lead with Purpose – Purpose fuels resilience.
- Own Your Brand – You define your identity and well-being.
- Seek Support and Share Challenges – Vulnerability fosters collective strength.
- Reframe Failure as Growth – Every setback is a stepping stone to excellence.
- Adapt Quickly – Stay agile in an ever-changing environment.
- Prioritize Mental and Physical Health – A strong leader must take care of themselves first.
- Control Your Calendar – Protect time for self-reflection.
- Enable Your Team – Shift the focus from personal success to collective impact.
- Stay Organized – Structure workflows to reduce stress.
- Build Lifelong Connections – Strong networks sustain resilience.
Final Thoughts
Leadership is a journey, not a destination. These six pillars provide a framework to build purpose-driven leadership, navigate complexity, remove barriers, strengthen relationships, empower teams, and develop resilience. The insights from our LEAP Leadership discussions have inspired me, and I hope they inspire you too. If you are looking to elevate your leadership or help grow the leaders on your team, please reach out to us. We'd love to help.
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