encouraging Leaders in pursuit of Excellence

The Excellent Leader model was born on the battlefield of getting things done in real-life. We are working to invite, convene, and encourage leaders who are intentionally seeking excellence—not only in what they do and how they do it, but in who they are.

A team of professionals engage in a business meeting in a sleek, modern office setting.

Discover the Excellent Leader Model

excellent leader characteristics diagramv6

The Excellent Leader model draws upon thousands of years of ancient wisdom and over four decades of proven experience in working with leaders in pursuit of excellence.

St. Thomas Aquinas addresses the desire for excellence in leadership primarily through the virtue of magnanimity, which he defines as the “stretching forth of the mind to great things.” Magnanimity involves a rational aspiration to perform deeds worthy of great honor, grounded in one’s God-given gifts and virtues (Summa Theologica II-II, Q.129, Art.1).

Inspired by this understanding, the Excellent Leader model provides a framework for leaders who seek to pursue greatness of soul without excess or defect—integrating moral, intellectual, and spiritual principles into their pursuit of excellence.

Eight Essential Characteristics of an Excellent Leader

An Excellent Leader strives to develop and integrate eight essential characteristics. A leader in pursuit of excellence embodies the following:

Desire for Excellence

A rational and persistent desire to pursue excellence, through greatness of soul, where one deems oneself worthy of great achievements based on their God-given gifts, while avoiding excess or defect, thereby taking on and amplifying all other virtues in the pursuit of moral and spiritual perfection.

Seeking Wisdom

Actively striving to develop the power of reason to know order and discern what is right and true, coupled with just judgement as to action.

Common Good

Diligently striving to bring about the common good as the shared, higher-order perfection of the whole community—especially its peace, justice, and orientation toward God—which surpasses and orders the good of individuals.

Authentic Friendsip

Genuine mutual and reciprocal benevolence based on a communion in what is genuinely good—ultimately, in God through charity (caritas): willing good to another for the other’s own sake.

Practical Wisdom

Using the intentionally developed intellect, knowing what is right and good and how to order and to judge rightly, to actively make wise decisions and direct human acts toward the good.

Enduring Courage

The firm and lasting ability to stand firm in the face of serious evils or difficulties, especially the fear of death, for the sake of a good end.

Articulate Communication

The ability to communicate reasonably, clearly, appropriately, eloquently, truthfully, and charitably so as to make known what is in one mind to another mind.

Profound Love

From the depth of one’s being, willing the highest and most supreme good for the other, as to another self, willing that they be perfectly united to God forever.

Our Purpose

We work with leaders around the world who are actively and intentionally pursuing excellence—for themselves and for those they serve.

Our work integrates enduring wisdom, lived experience, dynamic deliberations, interviews with leaders around the world and invitations to those leaders seeking excellence to convene and engage in ongoing efforts to do great things for the common good.

Our Journey Toward Leadership Excellence

Founded on ancient wisdom, Excellent Leader has evolved through decades, empowering leaders globally while integrating timeless principles for effective leadership.

Scroll to Top