The SLE™ revolutionizes the approach to understanding leadership by challenging traditional stereotypes and biases, advocating for a broader, more inclusive view that values and leverages diversity. Unlike conventional leadership development and assessment approaches that often perpetuate outdated stereotypes, the SLE™ uncovers and celebrates often-overlooked talents, thereby dismantling barriers to inclusivity and belonging.
By acknowledging and addressing the systemic roots of leadership stereotypes—rooted in patriarchy, homophobia, and racism—the SLE™ serves as an empowerment tool for individuals and a transformative framework for organizations, teams, and communities, paving the way for a more equitable and dynamic leadership landscape.
The SLE™ was designed to inspire you to think internally, in terms of identifying and leaning into your motivations to lead, as well as externally, in terms of realizing and activating your full power as a leader. The SLE™ was also designed to dismantle leadership stereotypes, help guide how we perceive ourselves, and shift how others perceive us as leaders.
This innovative approach is based on data and insights collected directly from interviews, observational studies, and collaborations with hundreds of underrepresented leaders across industries through BREAKTHRU Brands, a people development solution founded by Author Laura Barnard on a mission to advance gender, racial, and identity equity in leadership.
Each of the 12 Leadership Types within the SLE™ embody a unique synergy of leadership traits, values, and behaviors, offering a comprehensive lens through which one’s motivational drivers are understood. Your Primary Leadership Type sheds light on the core of what propels you to think, feel, and act in certain ways. And it ultimately influences how you connect with, communicate to, and inspire those around you, serving as a pivotal element in leadership effectiveness.
On either side of your Primary Leadership Type are your Internal Influences, which are the Leadership Types immediately adjacent to your own. These neighboring types shape your primary motivation, adding depth and complexity to your leadership style. They represent the nuanced interplay of secondary traits that influence your primary leadership tendencies.
Directly opposing your Primary Leadership Type lies your External Amplifier. This Leadership Type acts as a critical counterbalance and source of tension for your innate motivations. It offers a strategic vantage point for challenging and expanding your leadership approach, thereby significantly enhancing your ability to make an impact and extend your influence. This dynamic serves as a vital catalyst for growth, pushing you to explore new dimensions of leadership potential.
Structured into four distinct quadrants that mirror human aspirations and actions, deeply rooted in motivational psychology, Leadership Types are categorized by their inherent external power dynamics: to Structure (upper right), to Create (upper left), to Awaken (lower right), and to Unite (lower left). Each quadrant represents a foundational aspect of leadership potential, carefully analyzed and validated through extensive research.
The SLE™ was built to empower leaders who have not traditionally fit the leadership mold. Individual leaders as well as groups of leaders within organizations, teams, and community groups find the assessment tool useful in including all leaders within their organization in development and identification.
Through exploring motivational psychology and leadership dynamics, the SLE™ helps you identify your Primary Leadership Type. This reveals your unique blend of leadership qualities, the forces shaping your approach, and your untapped potential.
Because men (mostly white, cisgender, heterosexual men to be more precise) have historically (in the United States and many other countries) held the vast majority of the positions of leadership and power, our society has developed deep-seated expectations about who should lead and what leadership behaviors should look like. The SLE™ aims to dismantle these ingrained stereotypes by championing diversity in leadership styles and recognizing the value that individuals from all backgrounds bring to leadership roles. Ultimately, the SLE™ seeks to create a more inclusive and dynamic leadership landscape where everyone has the opportunity to thrive and make their unique contributions.
The SLE™ is based on inclusivity, dynamism, and the celebration of unique leadership styles. It is designed to help leaders stand out rather than fit into preconceived stereotypes, advocating for a leadership approach that is limitless and not confined by traditional norms.
Your Primary Leadership Type within the SLE™ framework is not fixed and can evolve over time. Changes in your job roles, the way you respond to challenges, and your aspirations for the future can all influence your Leadership Type. As you encounter new experiences and your motivations shift, you may find that different aspects of your leadership style come to the forefront, reflecting growth and adaptation in your approach to leadership. This fluidity is a testament to the dynamic nature of leadership and the potential for personal and professional development within the SLE™ framework.
If you find that your identified Leadership Type doesn’t quite resonate with you, don’t worry. This is an opportunity to delve deeper into the dynamic nature of the SLE™ framework. Remember, the SLE™ is designed to be flexible and adaptive, acknowledging the complexity of leadership and personal growth. You may find a stronger connection with your leadership quadrant, your External Amplifier, or recognize that your type reflects a past version of yourself. If this is the case, it’s a perfect moment to clarify who you are now and how your leadership style has evolved. We encourage you to explore these insights further by reading the book, which offers a comprehensive guide to understanding and navigating the SLE™. Additionally, reaching out for a 15-minute call can provide personalized guidance to help align your leadership understanding with your current path and aspirations. Embracing the fluidity of your leadership identity is a step towards authentic and impactful leadership.
The SLE™ was crafted based on data and insights from interviews, observational studies, and collaborations with underrepresented leaders across various industries. It is a product of BREAKTHRU Brands, founded by Laura Barnard, aimed at advancing equity in leadership.
A 5-minute, 20-question quiz can help leaders chart their Leadership Type within The Spectrum of Leadership Empowerment™.
