What makes a leader truly exceptional?
It’s not just talent or charisma — it’s the ability to blend humility with strategy, action with reflection, and growth with connection. These traits are at the heart of the Practionable Leadership Model, a framework born from my doctoral research.
In this post, I’ll share:
- 5 actionable insights that can help you elevate your leadership and inspire those around you;
- A 13-page executive summary that takes a deeper dive into the research findings;
- A fun (and AI-generated) podcast that talks about the main takeaways from the study.
Whether you’re leading a business, a team, or simply yourself, these principles will show you how to create lasting, meaningful impact. So, let’s start with…
5 Transformative Insights from the Practionable Leadership Model: Turning Research into Action
Drawing from my dissertation, Toward a Practionable Model of Intellectual Humility and Self-Leadership, here are five powerful, actionable insights that bring academic research into real-world leadership. These takeaways are designed to help leaders leverage self-leadership to achieve meaningful, lasting impact.
1) Intellectual Humility + Self-Leadership: The Ultimate Duo for Thriving Leadership
Intellectual humility (IH) and self-leadership (SL) aren’t just “nice-to-haves” for leaders — they’re truly transformative. IH enables us to recognize the limits of our knowledge, stay open to learning, and value diverse perspectives. It’s the foundation of adaptive, informed decision-making. SL, on the other hand, is about proactively managing our thoughts, behaviors, and motivations to reach our goals. As the Practionable Leadership Study revealed, leaders who embody both IH and SL navigate challenges with agility and inspire teams by leading with purpose and clarity. Together, these traits create a dynamic force for personal and organizational success.
2) Experimentation: A Key Driver of Innovation and Growth
Experimentation isn’t just a “try it out” mindset — it’s a strategic necessity. As my research revealed, the most effective leaders were willing to test new approaches, learn from setbacks, and adapt based on what they learned. IH allows these leaders to acknowledge they don’t have all the answers, keeping them open to new ideas, while SL helps them set intentions, execute on ideas, and evaluate the results. This blend of openness and purposeful action drives innovation and keeps growth at the forefront.
3) Community: The Backbone of Lasting Leadership
Effective leadership doesn’t happen in isolation. Community emerged as a critical element in my research, showing that successful leaders invest in relationships and foster cultures of collaboration and mutual support. This connection with others reinforces IH (by valuing diverse input) and SL (by leading in a way that uplifts and empowers those around them). Strong community bonds create environments where people feel safe to contribute and grow, which amplifies overall team success.
4) SuperLeadership: Elevating Others to Lead Themselves
SuperLeadership (yes, that’s an actual leadership theory) takes IH and SL one step further by encouraging leaders to help others cultivate self-leadership within themselves. Leaders who embrace IH and SL are more inclined to empower their team members to set personal goals, take initiative, and develop their own leadership skills. This isn’t just good for the individual — it creates a ripple effect that drives positive results. As the research shows, empowering people to self-lead builds a culture where teams are driven, accountable, and motivated from within, elevating the organization as a whole.
5) The Practionable Leadership Model: A Clear Path to Purposeful Development
The Practionable Leadership Model distills IH, SL, experimentation, community, and SuperLeadership into a cohesive, actionable framework. It emphasizes both inner growth and external impact, equipping leaders with a roadmap for development that’s practical, clear, and achievable. By adopting these principles, leaders can create a sustainable, growth-oriented culture while cultivating their own skills, mindsets, and relationships for lasting impact.
Want to peel back the layers a bit more?
➡️ Here’s a 13-page summary of the findings.
➡️ And if you prefer to hear what Google’s new podcast generator had to say, you can listen here.
Want to leverage these insights to level up your leadership and life? Join the Practionable Leadership Newsletter for weekly tools, tips, and actionable insights. ⬇️
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