Lessons I’ve Learned as a Leader — The Ladder of Leadership
Learn how to empower your team’s decision-making abilities with a useful framework.
Have you ever approached someone with a problem, only to be told what to do before fully explaining the problem or discussing potential options? Did you feel listened to, fully heard, and like you were part of crafting the solution? Probably not. Did you walk through your intended course of action to ensure alignment before making a major decision? I’ve seen many managers and peers feel compelled to provide solutions and skip developing problem-solving skills just to appear competent or heroic. Heaven knows I’ve done it more than once. Whose needs are we meeting when we do this? Are we truly improving their lives by solving their problems for them?
One of my most referenced leadership techniques while mentoring is based on the “Ladder of Leadership” created by David Marquet. I first learned about his work from a friend and subsequently watched a YouTube video discussing his book “Turn the Ship Around.”
One of David Marquet’s Intent-based Leadership principles is the Ladder of Leadership. This focuses on the ability to understand the competency of the person you’re trying to help related to their situational awareness, ability to assess potential solutions, and share their intended solution. I use this to guide…
