Senior leaders are under tremendous pressure to not only meet business objectives but also navigate the complexities of people, culture, and strategy. At Flourish Executive Counseling and Coaching, we support leaders by helping them understand and leverage key leadership competencies—especially those developed by thought leader Bob Anderson, one of the founders of The Leadership Circle. Anderson’s framework of “creative competencies” is grounded in research and has been proven to correlate with leadership effectiveness and organizational success. As a corporate therapist and executive coach, I’ve seen firsthand how empowering it is for leaders to tap into these competencies, especially when facing tough challenges.
Why Creative Competencies Matter
Bob Anderson’s work on leadership competencies is grounded in years of research showing a strong correlation between specific competencies and overall leadership effectiveness. The Leadership Circle Profile identifies key competencies, or “creative competencies,” that set effective leaders apart. These competencies are like a toolbox—each skill is designed to help a leader move beyond everyday challenges toward powerful, transformative leadership.
For senior leaders, it’s a revelation to receive structured, research-backed feedback on where they stand in these competencies. Many operate for years, if not decades, without significant or structured feedback, especially at the higher levels of leadership. Knowing which competencies a leader is strong in can provide a safety net—a steady, reliable foundation to draw upon in challenging situations.
Personal Insight into Courageous Authenticity
One of the most transformative competencies Anderson has identified is “Courageous Authenticity.” This competency is all about showing up with transparency and vulnerability, even in the face of opposition. It’s the courage to speak truthfully, even when that truth might be difficult for others to hear. Angela, our senior executive therapist and coach here at Flourish Executive Counseling and Coaching recently took the Leadership Circle Profile herself. For Angela, discovering that she scored high in Courageous Authenticity was eye-opening. She now knows she can lean into this strength when confronted with challenging or sticky situations. This insight was new to her, and having this knowledge empowers her to approach future leadership challenges with confidence, knowing that she has a reliable competency to fall back on.
The Role of Corporate Therapy in Developing Leadership Competencies
As executive coaches with a background in corporate therapy, our approach at Flourish is unique. We go beyond traditional coaching by integrating elements of therapy to help leaders understand the deeper drivers of their behaviors, reactions, and decision-making processes. When leaders come to us, they’re often looking for tools and techniques to be more effective. What they discover is the power of self-awareness—learning about their strengths and opportunities for growth within Anderson’s framework of competencies provides a compass for leadership effectiveness.
In Angela’s case, she’s not just aware that she’s strong in Courageous Authenticity; she’s now practiced leaning into it intentionally. She’s learning to rely on this strength as a guide through challenging situations, bolstering her confidence and reinforcing her resilience. This is where therapy intersects with coaching—by helping leaders not just identify their competencies but learn how to integrate them into their daily lives and leadership.
Moving Toward Organizational Objectives
One of the most compelling reasons to focus on developing these creative competencies is the impact they have on business outcomes. Research has shown that leaders who demonstrate high levels of these competencies are better able to guide their organizations towards their objectives. Anderson’s framework doesn’t just benefit the leader; it benefits the entire organization by fostering a culture of authenticity, collaboration, and growth.
By understanding and working with their strengths, leaders are more equipped to inspire their teams, make strategic decisions, and build a positive, results-oriented work environment. At Flourish, we’ve seen this play out repeatedly: leaders who are aligned with their strengths—and are willing to grow in their areas of opportunity—are the ones who make the biggest impact on their organizations.
Conclusion: A Roadmap for Leaders
Bob Anderson’s creative competencies offer a roadmap for leaders looking to elevate their effectiveness. By providing leaders with clear feedback and an understanding of where they naturally excel, tools like the Leadership Circle Profile empower them to lean into their strengths and navigate challenges with confidence. For Angela and countless other leaders, knowing which competencies they can rely on is transformative. It’s more than just self-knowledge; it’s a way to lead with intention, authenticity, and resilience.
At Flourish Executive Counseling and Coaching, we’re here to support leaders on this journey. Our approach combines coaching and therapy, helping senior leaders go beyond traditional feedback to truly understand themselves and their potential. With the right tools, every leader can flourish—moving themselves, their teams, and their organizations toward success.
Are you curious how the Leadership Circle Profile works? You can download a review of the competencies here.