Developing Leadership Capability: Why Leadership Skills Matter As Much As A Leadership 'Mindset'

"Do or do not, there is no 'try'." So says Yoda the famous Jedi Master. Wise words for a corporate environment too as approaching anything in a volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous world with a mindset of potential failure will not give anyone the best start in any role.

Leaders too need to develop a mindset that supports their commitment to success. Leadership ultimately comes from a sense of 'identity' -- how a leader sees themselves, the purpose which drives them, the values and beliefs they hold about themselves and others. How these are translated into the skills they focus on, the behaviours they display and the environment they create around them is a consequence of having the right mindset. Good leadership is far more than a set of core skills about what good 'leadership' entails.

The Foundation of Developing Leadership Capability

Experience and evidenced based research over the last 25 years has shown us that if you wish to develop leadership capability, there are three interconnected areas that are imperative to get right: Mindset, Action, and Outcome.

Outcome: Defining Success in Leadership Development

It is critical to be clear on the Outcome that you and others are seeking to achieve, such as key results. However, for these outcomes to feel worthwhile, and to be sustainable, they also need to include other 'inner' measures of success; a sense of learning and growth; enjoyment and satisfaction; value and meaning.

Action: The Behavioural Expression of Leadership

You (and others) then need to be clear on the Action required to achieve this outcome. Psychologically, Actions can be described as the observed behavioural expression of what you do, how you act and how you behave. There are two core aspects to this: processes and rituals - what we put in place to support us to be effective (from budget meetings to a gym schedule) and behavioural habits -- which reflect the often-unconscious patterns of behaviour we exhibit in different situations.

Mindset: The Critical Foundation

Finally, and perhaps most critically, you need to foster a Mindset that is aligned with your Actions and the outcomes that you wish to achieve.

We define mindset as the set of beliefs and assumptions we hold about ourselves, others and our place in the world -- our narrative or story.

Such beliefs invariably help to create our sense of Identity, who believe we are -- and who we are not -- and further influence our sense of purpose; our Why, what motivates and drives us, and what is important to us (values).

The Centre for Teams Leadership Development Model

This proven framework demonstrates how developing leadership capability requires integration across all three dimensions. Rather than treating leadership as a checklist of competencies, this approach recognises that sustainable leadership capability emerges from the dynamic interaction between mindset, action, and outcome.

Why This Approach to Developing Leadership Capability Works

Traditional leadership development programmes often focus solely on skills acquisition. However, research consistently shows that developing leadership capability requires deeper work on identity, beliefs, and purpose. When leaders understand their 'why' and align their actions accordingly, they create more authentic and effective leadership that adapts to complex, uncertain environments.

The mindset component proves particularly crucial because it influences how leaders interpret challenges, respond to setbacks, and inspire others during difficult periods. Leaders who have invested in developing leadership capability through this integrated approach demonstrate greater resilience, adaptability, and long-term effectiveness.

Interested in developing leadership capability within your organisation? Contact our team to learn more about The Centre for Teams' proven leadership development framework.

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