The LEADS Model

Empathy in leadership isn’t a vibe – it’s a practice.

If you’ve ever found yourself in the middle of a disagreement, an emotionally charged 1:1, or a decision where tension is high – you know that how you lead the conversation matters just as much as what you decide.

That’s why I created this 5-step model to guide high-EQ decision-making.

It’s called the LEADS Model – and it’s a tool you can use today to bring clarity, trust, and shared ownership into your team dynamics.

🤝 The LEADS Model

Use this in:

• 💬 Difficult 1:1 conversations
• ⚖️ Decision-making meetings
• 🔁 Feedback loops
• 🧩 Moments of misalignment or tension

L – Listen to Understand, Not React

Start every conversation with curiosity. Ask:

“Can you walk me through how you got to that conclusion?”
Then reflect it back to show you understood. This builds trust and uncovers unseen insights.

E – Explore the Context

Go deeper than the surface. Ask:

“What challenges are you trying to solve with this?”
Understanding the “why” behind a suggestion helps you lead with empathy, not assumption.

A – Assess Objectively

Now you're co-pilots. List out pros, cons, risks, trade-offs — together.

“Let’s evaluate all our options — including mine — fairly.”
This step removes ego from the equation and shows that your goal is shared success, not being right.

D – Decide with Shared Ownership

Make the decision — but explain it with clarity, not control.

“Here’s what we’re going with, and here’s why.”
Acknowledge insights that came from the team, even if their idea wasn’t chosen.

S – Signal Appreciation and Next Steps

“Thank you for bringing that up. Here’s what happens next.”
Close every discussion with respect and direction. People support what they help create — especially when they feel heard.

📥 Download the LEADS Conversation Canvas

I’ve put together a 1-page version of this framework that you can use as a guide during meetings, 1:1s, or retros.

🙌 Why It Works

The LEADS Model helps you:

• Lead with calm during pressure
• Build a feedback culture without fear
• Show your team that their voices matter
• Make better decisions through shared understanding

And most importantly, it turns emotional intelligence into a repeatable practice, not just a leadership buzzword.

Let me know if you use it.
Tag me on LinkedIn or reply to this post with your experience!

📬 Enjoyed this framework?
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💼 Want to go deeper?
I offer 1:1 premium coaching for engineers and managers who want to grow EQ faster, lead with more clarity and confidence, and get promoted without burning out.

– Djordje
Founder, The Chronicles of a High-EQ Leader.