Monthly Archives: July 2013


Seven action logics of leadership

“Most developmental psychologists agree that what differentiates leaders is not so much their philosophy of leadership, their personality, or their style of management. Rather, it’s their internal ‘action logic’ — how they interpret [and react to] their surroundings.”

According to David Rooke and William Torbert, there are seven developmental action logics that influence a leader’s dominant way of thinking.  Rooke and Torbert demonstrated that leaders could move through these logic categories as their abilities grow.  The seven leadership action logics are:

  1. Opportunist
  2. Diplomat
  3. Expert
  4. Achiever
  5. Individualist
  6. Strategist
  7. Alchemist

Results of Rooke’s and Torbert’s studies showed different leaders exhibited different kinds of action logic.  The least effective for organizational leadership are the Opportunist and Diplomat.  The most effective ones are Strategist and Alchemist.  As well, Opportunists, Diplomats and Experts produced below-average coporate performance.  This group was significantly less effective at implementing organizational strategies than Achievers.  Individualists, Strategists and Alchemists showed the consistent capacity to innovate and to successfully transform their organizations.

Click Here to access their article: Seven Transformations of Leadership

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