Leadership Strategy Scan
Surface the patterns and habits that shape how you lead day-to-day
Overview
Every leader operates from a kind of internal playbook — a mix of habits, defaults, and priorities that shape how we spend our time, what we take on, how we respond under pressure, and how we relate to others. That playbook is your leadership strategy.
Most of us don’t intentionally design our strategy. It forms over time — shaped by former managers, company culture, what gets rewarded, and what feels safe. But when things speed up or stretch us, the patterns underneath become more visible — and they start to drive how we show up.
This scan helps you bring those patterns to the surface — so you can take ownership of how you lead and start shifting from default to intentional.
It’s not a test. It’s a mirror — a way to reflect, recalibrate, and take meaningful action.
To make the most of the LSS, you can also download a PDF of the radar chart here.
Where This Comes From
Drawing from real coaching conversations, neuroscience, leadership research, and behavioural theory, this scan brings together the patterns that consistently show up when leaders feel stuck, stretched, or ready for change.
It’s built around five core dimensions of leadership behaviour. These aren’t abstract traits — they’re practical, observable patterns. The kind that show up in your calendar, your conversations, and your most challenging moments.
They reflect the areas where things most often fall out of sync — and where the most meaningful change happens when leaders pause and choose to lead with more intention.
The Five Dimensions
1. How I Spend My Time
Where does your energy go? Are you stuck in the weeds, or creating space for the work that only you can do?
This is about how your time, energy, and focus are spent. Are you buried in delivery, or investing in strategy, reflection, and the relationships that help your team thrive?
Rating 1 – I’m constantly in motion. My calendar is packed with urgent tasks. I rarely make time for reflection, strategy, or developing my team. I’m reacting more than creating. I often find myself saying, "I just don’t have time to think!"
Rating 3 – I carve out space for what matters, but urgency still hijacks my week. I know where I want to focus — I’m just not consistent yet.
Rating 5 – I’m intentional with my time. I protect space for deep thinking, coaching, and strategic work. My calendar reflects my priorities, not just an endless to-do list.
2. What I take on (and what I avoid)
This is about how you respond to the work around you — what you take responsibility for, what you let go of, and how intentional you are in making those choices.
It’s not just what you take on — it’s the why behind it. Do you feel pulled in by default? Or are you choosing where to engage based on impact and ownership?
Rating 1 – I tend to jump in and take on too much — even when it’s not mine to own. Or I disengage completely when I feel overwhelmed. Either way, I often feel stuck or resentful.
Rating 3 – I’m starting to notice these patterns. I delegate when I can, but I still wrestle with letting go or knowing when to step in.
Rating 5 – I have a clear sense of what’s mine to own. I choose where to step in and when to hold back. I enable others rather than doing it all myself.
3. How I Make Decisions Under Pressure
When things get chaotic, how do you decide?
This looks at your decision-making style in high-stakes moments. Are you freezing, rushing, reacting — or leading with intention?
Rating 1 – I freeze or rush. I overthink or make fast decisions just to keep things moving. Fear of getting it wrong often drives me.
Rating 3 – I’m sometimes grounded, sometimes reactive. My stress level often shapes how I decide.
Rating 5 – I make decisions with clarity and alignment. I balance urgency with perspective. I act even when things aren’t perfect.
4. Who I Show Up For?
Who do you invest relational energy in — and who are you unconsciously avoiding?
This is about your map of influence. Where are you building trust and alignment? Where are you playing it safe?
Rating 1 – I stick with people I feel comfortable around. I avoid tension or unfamiliar stakeholders.
Rating 3 – I know relationships matter, and I try to show up — but not always with intention.
Rating 5 – I actively build trust and alignment. I seek input, give feedback, and ask for what I need.
5. What’s my story?
What story are you carrying about how you should lead — and how is that shaping your actions?
We all carry inner narratives — subconscious beliefs about what good leadership looks like and what we must do (or avoid) to be seen a certain way. These stories are there to protect us, but they can quietly run the show unless we bring them into the light.
Rating 1 – I have a strong internal story about how I should show up — and I work hard to protect that image. I avoid being seen as weak, difficult, or not good enough. This drives me to over-prepare, take on too much, or stay quiet when I want to speak up.
Rating 3 – I’m beginning to notice my patterns. I can sometimes see when a story is driving me, but I don’t always know what to do with it in the moment.
Rating 5 – I recognise my stories for what they are — just stories. I lead from a place of curiosity and self-trust. I’m okay being seen as imperfect. I choose responses that align with who I want to be, not just who I think I need to appear to be.
Plot your scores on a radar chart to see your current leadership strategy in action.
Reflection & Reset
Now that you’ve explored the five dimensions, take a step back and look at what your current leadership strategy is really telling you.
This isn’t about defining your vision or setting goals — it’s about understanding the operating model you’re using day to day.
Use these prompts to reflect and reset:
Which dimension feels most out of sync with how you want to lead?
What patterns — or surprises — showed up in your radar chart?
What’s currently driving your leadership strategy? (Clarity? Fear? Habit?)
What small behavior shift could create a big impact?
What would a more intentional leadership strategy look like over the next 90 days?
This is your space to pause, make meaning, and start designing your next step.
