After decades of theory and research on leadership and leadership development, here we are. It’s well past time for an integrative, practical, and evidence-based framework that simplifies “it all” into one coherent framework. For too long, leadership thinkers have aimed their sights at differentiating their leadership theories from one another and splitting hairs over similar constructs.

Or conversely, theorists have attempted the creation of a massive paradigm shift, as if everything to date is out of date. The contention espoused here in this LASER Leadership Framework (TM) overview, is that enough is enough. It’s time for an integrative framework that pulls it all together. The LASER Framework sets out to do this. The aim here is not to create another new model of leadership, but rather, to zoom out to see the bigger picture, integrate what we know, and see the forest and the trees–to view the whole leadership landscape for the purposes of accelerating leadership development and effectiveness.

At a macro level, there are five essential components to this LASER framework: the Leader him or herself as a whole person, the Actions we see this leader take, the Situations and context that give meaning to the actions, the Engagement of “followers” and the impact of the leader on others, and the ultimate Results that all leaders must be judged by.