There is a quiet revolution happening in leadership.
While many organisations continue to invest in traditional leadership training, equipping leaders with new tools and updated knowledge, others are beginning to realise this is no longer enough.
In a world defined by complexity, uncertainty, and continuous change, the real question is not just what leaders know, but how they think and make sense of what they know.
This is where vertical leadership development comes in.
Beyond Skills: What It Really Means to Grow as a Leader
Most leadership development focuses on horizontal growth: adding skills, learning new frameworks, and improving performance. This kind of development is necessary, but it assumes that the leader’s current way of thinking and making sense of the world is already meeting demands.
But what if it is not?
What if the greatest barrier to thriving is not the lack of knowledge, but the way that knowledge is interpreted and applied? What if the capability to think differently is the key?
Vertical development is about expanding the inner architecture of thinking and meaning-making. It is not just about doing leadership better. It is about becoming a different kind of leader altogether. Not a change in personality, but the way of viewing and thinking about the world.
Making Meaning in a Complex World: Torbert’s Action Logics
One of the most well-regarded frameworks for understanding vertical development is Bill Torbert’s Action Logics. It describes the way leaders interpret the world and respond to it, and how that shifts as they develop.
Early action logics (such as Expert or Achiever) are effective in relatively stable environments. But as complexity increases, leaders must develop later action logics such as Redefining, Transforming, or even Alchemical that allow for greater adaptability, self-awareness, and system-wide impact.
At these later stages, leaders become more reflective, more attuned to paradox, and more willing to question the assumptions underpinning their strategies. They are not just delivering outcomes; they are reshaping the system itself.
And yet, even highly experienced leaders may find themselves operating from early-stage logics, especially under stress or in rigid organisational cultures. Furthermore, leaders need to be able to move through the action logics flexibly, adapting to the context. That is why vertical development is a practice.
Why Vertical Growth Is Essential for Thriving
As Alan Watkins writes in 4D Leadership, thriving in complexity requires a shift not just in what we know, but in how we think, feel, and relate. He describes vertical development as “a deeper form of maturity” one that enables leaders to see the system, hold ambiguity, and act from intention rather than habit.
This capacity is not optional. It is foundational.
Leaders who develop vertically are better able to:
- Respond rather than react
- Hold multiple perspectives without shutting down
- Create conditions where others feel safe to grow
- Build cultures of learning, not blame
- Make decisions that serve the long-term, not just the urgent
In short, vertical development enables leaders and the organisations they shape to thrive rather than survive.
Vertical Development in Practice: A Growth Journey, Not a Quick Fix
Vertical development cannot be rushed. It is not a checklist.
It unfolds over time, through:
- Real-life challenges that stretch identity and perspective
- Reflection and dialogue that surface unconscious and unexamined assumptions
- Supportive feedback that deepens awareness
- Safe but challenging environments where leaders can explore new ways of seeing
At Inspired at Work, we integrate vertical development into executive coaching and systemic team coaching. Our approach blends:
- The psychological rigour of frameworks like Torbert’s Action Logics and Watkins’ 4D model
- The structured insight of tools like the MyWorldView assessment
- The practical support leaders need to apply new ways of thinking in real-world settings
We do not just help leaders grow. We help them evolve.
Vertical Growth Is a Cultural Shift, Not Just a Personal One
While individual growth is essential, vertical development is most powerful when it is shared across a leadership team.
When teams develop together, they:
- Develop shared language and understanding
- Improve their collective ability to navigate complexity
- Foster cultures where reflection, inquiry, and feedback are valued
- Build trust not through perfection, but through mutual growth
This is especially relevant when using vertical development assessments to support team coaching. Patterns of meaning-making within a team influence its collective resilience, psychological safety, and strategic capacity. Supporting this development at both the individual and collective levels is how organisations build the kind of leadership that thrives in complexity.
The Inspired at Work Approach: Growing the Leaders of Tomorrow
At Inspired at Work, vertical development is not a trend. It is part of our core philosophy. Whether working one-on-one with senior leaders or supporting executive teams through systemic change, our goal is to help leaders not only succeed but also evolve and grow.
Our work blends:
- Insightful developmental assessments like MyWorldView
- Personality profiling with tools like Lumina Spark, Emotion and Leader
- Team dynamics tools like Psychonomics GEDI
- Depth coaching grounded in psychology
- A systemic lens that connects personal growth with team and organisational transformation
- Practical support, informed by the realities of leading in demanding environments
We are not here to create perfect leaders. We are here to support authentic, evolving leaders who are brave enough to think differently and who care deeply about building something sustainable and human.
Final Reflection: What Does It Mean to Thrive as a Leader Today?
Thriving today is not about being more productive.
It is about being more present, reflective, connected, and capable of holding complexity with care.
Vertical development equips leaders with the internal depth necessary to meet external challenges with clarity, intention, and integrity.
And in a world that is only becoming more complex, that kind of leadership is not just valuable. It is vital.
Curious about your own leadership growth edge?
Let’s talk about how vertical development assessments and coaching can support your next step.
