Vertical Growth

1The Mindful Leader Matrix

‘Have no fear of perfection; you'll never reach it.’

Marie Curie

In 2019, three years after publishing The Mindful Leader, we asked ourselves this question: What are the absolute core vertical growth competencies all leaders and teams must know in order to continuously grow and be exceptional? In other words, regardless of the horizontal skills and knowledge they need — for example, skills to support accountability, empowering others and conflict management — what vertical growth will still be needed to ensure success in the application of these horizontal skills?

Once we had a clear answer to that question, our next practical question was how to simply and elegantly represent the process of vertical growth on a single page. After much work, we developed what we now call the Mindful Leader Matrix.

The Mindful Leader Matrix (figure 1.1, overleaf) drew on a variety of key sources, including Steven Hayes’ Acceptance Commitment Therapy (or Training) (ACT), Robert Kegan's work on immunity to change, and the advanced transformational leadership and self-awareness practices we have researched and developed through our work with leaders and organisations around the world.

Figure 1.1: the Mindful Leader Matrix

Our new and original formulation of the matrix also allows for culture change and organisational development work. This represents the culmination ...