What if I asked you: Who, among all the leaders you have interacted with, represents the best example of leadership for you? And what distinctive quality most characterizes the leadership of this exceptional person?

For over 20 years, I have asked this question during my international leadership workshops, and I analyzed the responses of 300 leaders as part of my Ph.D. research to identify the qualities most shared by these exceptional leaders.

The qualities collected from these leaders assembled thematically into two groups of complementary attitudes: appreciative (yin)—receptive, valuing, and unifying—and intentional (yang)—visionary, confident and determined.

This two-dimensional perspective of leadership is the fruit not only of the research work that I have carried out, but also reflects scientific research throughout the 20th century, and is found just as much in psychology, philosophy, and spirituality. If we consider leadership as a process of integration, rather than domination, these two complementary attitudes are the two transformational sub-factors.

From the answers collected, and my 30 years of experience in organizational psychology and international consulting, I created a new leadership model for individuals and groups, integrating these constants found in management, psychology, philosophy and in spirituality. This model, the yin and yang of leadership for individuals and groups, is simple, accessible, and effective.

Developing these two transformational attitudes—appreciative and intentional—brings individually and collectively:

  • The ability to self-direct.
  • Awareness of oneself, others and situations.
  • Emotional intelligence.
  • Meaning and direction.
  • Authentic authority.
  • Confidence and perseverance.
  • The mobilization and committed development of people.
  • Adaptability and experiential learning.
  • And more! …

The analogy of blood pressure with the thrust of systolic pressure and the receptivity of diastolic pressure explains this dynamic and living vision of leadership and also highlights the complementary and integrative aspect of the two attitudes in the exercise of leadership of any person or group.

To learn more about this leadership model, use the buttons below to read my last two books published on Amazon.

Leadership Is a Choice: Choosing the Two Transformational Attitudes of Everyday Leadership (2023)

The Yin and Yang of Leadership: A Theoretical & Practical Guide to Democratic Leading (2018)

In future articles, I will present to you these two transformational attitudes with their respective sub-factors identified in my Ph.D. I will also explore how these two ways of seeing help any person and any group develop their leadership on a daily basis.