Why do some leaders thrive while others struggle? The answer lies in understanding where you are on your leadership journey—and knowing your next step forward.

The Leadership Challenge Every Organization Faces

Many leaders hear about strategic planning and think, “That’s great. Strategic Planning 101. I know I should be doing that, but I’m not.” Here’s the truth: strategic planning flourishes or fails solely due to leadership.

The real question isn’t whether you need better systems or strategies. It’s this: Where are you on your leadership journey?

To help answer that question, we’ve created a leadership development map called the “4 Quadrants of Leadership.” This framework has helped hundreds of leaders identify exactly where they are—and plot their path to becoming the focused leader they’re meant to be.

Understanding the Two Critical Leadership Dimensions

Dimension 1: External vs. Internal Cues

Where do you get direction for your leadership style? Do you look externally to copy what others do, or do you check your intuition and draw from your own experience?

Dimension 2: Confidence Level

How confident do you feel about your leadership ability? Surprisingly, in our research, almost 80% of nonprofit leaders expressed a lack of confidence in their leadership ability. Counter-intuitively, we believe this lack of confidence is actually a crucial step in maturing as a leader.

These two dimensions create four distinct quadrants that every leader moves through.

Quadrant 1: The “Observe” Stage – Learning Through Imitation

Characteristics: High confidence, external focus

This is typically where new leaders start. You get the title and you’re excited! “I’m a leader! I’ve seen great leaders and I know I just need to copy what they’re doing. I’ll do the same things here and this will be awesome!”

Strengths of Quadrant 1:

• You learn to identify the right people to follow
• You develop skills in analyzing leadership styles and work habits
• You become skilled at asking the right questions: “How did you plan that?” “What’s your next step?”
• You build a foundation of leadership activities and behaviors

The Reality Check: But if you’ve ever been in this quadrant, you know what comes next. You turn around, excited and full of enthusiasm, only to realize… no one’s following.

If you’re a leader and no one’s following, you’re just out for a walk.

Quadrant 2: The “Experiment” Stage – Searching for the Formula

Characteristics: Lower confidence, still external focus

This realization begins your movement into Quadrant 2. Your confidence drops and you start wondering why leadership isn’t working the way you expected. It looked so easy with those other leaders. You begin to wonder, “Maybe I’m the problem. Maybe I’m not cut out for leadership.”

Strengths of Quadrant 2:

• You become a learning machine—reading books, listening to podcasts, taking courses, attending conferences
• You’re searching for “the formula” to crack the leadership code
• You discover your learning style (audio, visual, kinesthetic, experiential)
• You consume everything you can find

You’re drawn to titles like “The Seven Steps to Creating a Compelling Vision” or “Time Management Tips for Superheroes.” For example, you might read Getting Things Done and get excited about how list-making will transform your leadership.

The Problem: Eventually, you realize that Getting Things Done doesn’t actually work for you. And that’s when everything changes.

Quadrant 3: The “Analyze” Stage – Finding Your Unique Style

Characteristics: Lower confidence, but turning inward

When external systems don’t work perfectly, you don’t abandon them entirely. Instead, you start analyzing what parts work for you. Maybe the entire GTD system isn’t your style, but the concept of writing an action item with every to-do? That might be exactly what you need.

Strengths of Quadrant 3:

• You start trusting your internal cues and instincts
• You give yourself permission to create a leadership style that’s uniquely yours
• You develop confidence in making judgment calls
• You examine your hardwiring, identity, and goal-setting process
• You discover your personal values and mission

This is where real leadership development happens. You’re no longer just copying—you’re creating.

Quadrant 4: The “Focused Leader” Stage – Confident and Adaptive

Characteristics: High confidence, internal focus with selective external input

As you grow increasingly confident with your internal analysis, you become a Focused Leader. You know how to follow the right people and find quality mentors. You can educate yourself with the right books and tools, and you’re confident enough to pick and choose what will actually help you.

Strengths of Quadrant 4:

• You create a culture of learning in your organization
• You can guide other leaders through their own 4 Quadrants journey
• You lead with both grace and flexibility
• You make decisions from a place of grounded confidence

How Organizations Get Stuck (And How to Break Free)

This framework doesn’t just apply to individual leaders—it works for entire organizations. Many organizations get trapped in Quadrant 2 Leadership, lurching from initiative to initiative. One month it’s implementing a new management philosophy, the next it’s adopting the latest productivity system.

Rather than sticking with one approach and adapting it to their culture, these organizations completely abandon anything that doesn’t work perfectly. This creates cynicism and resentment instead of the learning culture that comes from Quadrant 3’s self-reflective analysis.

Your Next Steps on the Leadership Journey

Remember this truth: We are each leaders, and none of us are victims of our workplace circumstances. When you have a map, you can discover where you are on the leadership journey and figure out your next step.

Ready to Understand Your Complete Leadership Profile?

Step 1 – Discover Your Leadership Style: What type of leader are you naturally? Take our research-based assessment to understand your core leadership personality and motivations. Take the 4 Types Assessment.

Step 2 – Find Your Development Stage: Where are you on your leadership journey? Use our 4 Quadrant Assessment to identify your current stage and get personalized next steps. Download it free here.

Step 3 – Align with Your Values: Use our Values Inventory to identify the personal and organizational values that will guide your leadership decisions. Get your free copy here.

Want to Understand the Bigger Picture?

This framework is part of a larger leadership development philosophy. Learn more about The Leader’s Journey and how these quadrants fit into your overall growth as a leader.