Our new (SOLID) framework for Leadership Team Member Effectiveness

We recently introduced our new Leadership Team Member Effectiveness Survey, built around the SOLID framework — Sets direction, Operates collaboratively, Leads self, Influences others, and Delivers outcomes.

This framework reflects our extensive experience working with boards, CEOs and executive teams, alongside deep insight into how high-performing leadership teams actually function. While many models assess leadership in broad or abstract terms, SOLID focuses specifically on how senior leaders contribute within a leadership team context — where enterprise thinking, peer dynamics, and shared accountability matter most.

The SOLID framework provides a practical and contemporary lens for understanding what makes an effective leadership team member. It recognises that strong enterprise performance depends not only on technical capability or individual brilliance, but on how leaders align around strategy, work constructively with peers, manage themselves, influence others, and deliver meaningful results.

Where some frameworks emphasise individual charisma or functional excellence, SOLID focuses on the quality of contribution each leader makes to collective performance. It helps organisations move beyond siloed assessments to understand how individual behaviour shapes overall team effectiveness.

With clear and observable criteria, SOLID supports peer feedback, self-reflection, coaching conversations, and succession planning. It highlights the balance between strategic clarity, interpersonal maturity, execution discipline, and personal leadership required in today’s complex governance environment.

SOLID also complements our broader leadership effectiveness architecture — aligning naturally with our SCOPE framework for CEO effectiveness, DRIVE for directors, and WhatWhoHowDo for board performance — ensuring coherence across levels of leadership.

The 5 Components of SOLID

Sets Direction

Effective leadership team members contribute actively to strategic clarity and enterprise alignment. This dimension captures how well a leader helps define priorities, reinforces the organisation’s purpose, and keeps the team focused on what matters most.

It includes the ability to see the bigger picture, connect functional decisions to enterprise outcomes, and guide conversations toward long-term value creation. Leaders who excel here strengthen the team’s collective understanding of direction and trade-offs in a dynamic environment.

Operates Collaboratively

Leadership teams succeed when members work constructively together. This dimension measures how effectively a leader builds trust, encourages open dialogue, and supports shared decisions.

It reflects the willingness to put team success above individual recognition, engage in respectful challenge, and foster psychological safety. Leaders who operate collaboratively strengthen cohesion, reduce friction, and elevate collective performance.

Leads Self

Sustained leadership impact begins with personal effectiveness. This dimension focuses on self-awareness, emotional intelligence, resilience, and disciplined self-management.

It assesses how well a leader reflects on their performance, seeks feedback, manages pressure, and models integrity and professionalism. Leaders who lead themselves effectively create stability and maturity within the team — particularly during periods of uncertainty or change.

Influences and Leads Others

Beyond peer collaboration, leadership team members must positively influence stakeholders across and beyond the organisation. This dimension evaluates a leader’s ability to build credibility, communicate clearly, and align others behind shared priorities.

It includes strengthening relationships with direct reports, peers, the board, customers, and key partners. Leaders strong in this area enhance trust in the leadership team and reinforce consistent messaging and values throughout the organisation.

Delivers Outcomes

Ultimately, leadership effectiveness is reflected in results. This dimension assesses a leader’s commitment to execution, accountability, and performance.

It includes following through on commitments, maintaining high standards, removing obstacles, and contributing to enterprise-wide delivery. Leaders who consistently deliver outcomes ensure that strategy translates into tangible impact and sustainable success.

Why SOLID Matters

High-performing leadership teams are not accidental — they are built on clarity, trust, discipline, and shared accountability. The SOLID framework provides a structured yet practical way to assess and strengthen those qualities at the individual level, while also illuminating the collective strengths and development areas of the team as a whole.

By focusing on how leaders contribute to enterprise direction, team unity, personal effectiveness, influence, and delivery, SOLID offers a balanced and integrated approach to leadership team member development — one that reflects the real demands of modern governance and organisational complexity.