The 7C Leadership Compass: A Playbook for Moral Ambition

While reading the playbook, I was particularly struck by the robustness of the narrative and the quality of the work undertaken to structure and substantiate the key concepts. The combination of practical tools and a resolutely pedagogical approach creates real added value by making action easier—a decisive factor in generating lasting impact. Contemporary leadership requires tenacious, resilient doers who are capable of turning intentions into tangible results. I also found the ‘Pitfalls to Avoid’ approach particularly relevant. Having reflected for several years on the role of values within corporate culture, I often question their real place and how they should influence both individual and managerial practices. How can we reduce the gap between declared values—sometimes merely decorative—and values that are genuinely perceived and embodied? The analysis of the ‘Pitfalls to Avoid’ for each of the 7Cs brings a very useful level of nuance to the embodiment of values. Too often presented as cardinal principles—idealised, abstract and sometimes difficult to translate into day-to-day operations—values in fact need to be made more concrete in order to guide teams effectively. From an empirical perspective, I have always considered that a value does not sit at the end of a distant horizon like an intangible goal, but rather at a point of balance between human attitudes and behaviours.

Example: Excessive confidence ← Confidence → Laxity

Bringing values to life within an organisation is precisely about finding this balance, collectively adjusting behaviours and navigating together along these axes of embodiment. From this perspective, the ‘Pitfalls to Avoid’ are an extremely pragmatic tool for supporting the real, aligned activation of shared values.