Leadership Diamond® Framework

The Leadership Diamond®, created by Peter Koestenbaum, provides a model of the leadership mind and a methodology for expanding leadership capabilities. The Diamond distinguishes four interdependent leadership imperatives, or "orientations": Ethics, Vision, Courage and Reality. These orientations model your inner resources, which are always available to help you if you access them. The relationship among the four orientations determines the shape and size of the space within your Leadership Diamond®; this space is your leadership capacity, which is called "Greatness."

	Ethics refers to the importance of people and integrity. It means caring about people; being sensitive to and of service to them; and behaving in accordance with moral principles. To strengthen your Ethics orientation: Value and develop teamwork Strive for meaningful work Prioritize good communication and mature commitment Act with integrity and in accordance with your principles
	Vision means applying analytical skills, thinking big, looking at situations in new ways, and being inspirational. To strengthen your Vision orientation: Exercise abstract reasoning Cultivate a strategic and systemic perspective – providing direction and seeing the interrelationships within the big picture Engage your creativity Practice reflection
	Courage is defined as taking charge, using power wisely, acting with sustained initiative, managing anxiety, and being free and responsible. To expand your Courage orientation: Advocate and stand for something Be willing to stand alone Constructively experience anxiety Take responsibility for your choices and accept being free
	Reality refers to a no-nonsense approach to facing life without illusions; relying on data that is factual rather than emotional; and being tough, task-oriented and results-focused. It also means being able to understand other people's perceptions of what is actually true. To develop your Reality orientation: Pay attention to bureaucratic detail Be objective and well-informed Do what it takes to survive Seek shared reality