LEADS in a Caring Environment

International

v2020

5 domains

20 controls

The LEADS in a Caring Environment framework describes the leadership capabilities needed to lead effectively in health systems. Developed in Canada by Dr. Graham Dickson and colleagues, it comprises five domains — Lead Self, Engage Others, Achieve Results, Develop Coalitions, and Systems Transformation — with four capabilities each. LEADS is used internationally for health leadership development, assessment, and organisational capacity building.

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Framework Domains (5)

Achieve Results

4 controls

Goal-oriented leaders set direction, align strategy with mission and evidence, implement effectively, and assess outcomes against benchmarks.

Controls in the Achieve Results domain of LEADS in a Caring Environment — 4 controls
Code	Title	Description
AR.1	Set Direction	Inspire vision by identifying, establishing, and communicating clear and meaningful expectations and outcomes. Leaders s...
AR.2	Strategic Alignment	Integrate organisational missions and values with reliable, valid evidence to achieve results. Leaders ensure that strat...
AR.3	Implementation	Act in a manner consistent with organisational values to yield effective, efficient service and outcomes. Leaders transl...
AR.4	Assessment	Measure and evaluate outcomes, compare results against benchmarks, and use findings to improve. Leaders who assess well...

Develop Coalitions

4 controls

Collaborative leaders build partnerships, facilitate stakeholder engagement, mobilise knowledge, and navigate socio-political environments to advance shared goals.

Controls in the Develop Coalitions domain of LEADS in a Caring Environment — 4 controls
Code	Title	Description
DC.1	Build Partnerships	Create connections, trust, and shared meaning with individuals and groups. Leaders build partnerships by investing in re...
DC.2	Stakeholder & Community Commitment	Facilitate collaboration, cooperation, and coalitions among diverse groups aimed at improving service. Leaders demonstra...
DC.3	Mobilise Knowledge	Employ methods to gather intelligence and use quality evidence to influence action across the system. Leaders mobilise k...
DC.4	Navigate Socio-Political Environments	Are politically astute, negotiate through conflict, and mobilise support. Leaders who navigate politics effectively unde...

Engage Others

4 controls

Engaging leaders foster the development of others, create healthy organisations, communicate effectively, and build teams through collaboration and cooperation.

Controls in the Engage Others domain of LEADS in a Caring Environment — 4 controls
Code	Title	Description
EO.1	Foster Development	Support and challenge others to achieve professional and personal goals. Leaders who foster development mentor, coach, p...
EO.2	Create Healthy Organisations	Build engaging environments where others have meaningful opportunities to contribute. Leaders create psychologically saf...
EO.3	Communicate Effectively	Listen well and encourage open exchange of information and ideas. Effective communicators adapt their approach to the au...
EO.4	Build Teams	Facilitate environments of collaboration and cooperation to achieve results. Team builders foster trust, leverage divers...

Lead Self

4 controls

Self-motivated leaders are self-aware, manage themselves, actively develop their own leadership, and demonstrate character through honesty, integrity, resilience, and confidence.

Controls in the Lead Self domain of LEADS in a Caring Environment — 4 controls
Code	Title	Description
LS.1	Self-Awareness	Are aware of own assumptions, values, principles, strengths, and limitations. Leaders who are self-aware seek feedback,...
LS.2	Self-Management	Take responsibility for their own performance and health. Self-managing leaders regulate their responses to pressure, ma...
LS.3	Self-Development	Actively seek opportunities and challenges for personal learning. Self-developing leaders pursue growth beyond their com...
LS.4	Character	Model honesty, integrity, resilience, and confidence. Leaders of character act ethically, honour commitments, take accou...

Systems Transformation

4 controls

Systems-thinking leaders analyse systems holistically, foster innovation, maintain strategic orientation, and champion change to improve health service delivery.

Controls in the Systems Transformation domain of LEADS in a Caring Environment — 4 controls
Code	Title	Description
ST.1	Systems Thinking	Think analytically and conceptually, questioning and challenging the status quo to identify fundamental issues. Systems...
ST.2	Support Innovation	Create a climate of continuous improvement and creativity. Innovation-supporting leaders encourage experimentation, tole...
ST.3	Strategic Orientation	Scan the environment for ideas, best practices, and emerging trends that could improve outcomes. Strategically oriented...
ST.4	Champion Change	Actively contribute to change processes that improve health service delivery. Change champions build readiness, sustain...

Maps to 14 other frameworks

20 total controls

NHS Healthcare Leadership Model

20 source controls mapped|34 target controls covered

100%

ICN Leadership for Change Programme

17 source controls mapped|23 target controls covered

85%

WHO Global Competency Model

17 source controls mapped|19 target controls covered

85%

The Leadership Challenge (Kouzes & Posner)

15 source controls mapped|23 target controls covered

75%

Goleman Emotional Intelligence Leadership Framework

13 source controls mapped|24 target controls covered

65%

Heifetz Adaptive Leadership Framework

13 source controls mapped|24 target controls covered

65%

Full Range Leadership Model (Bass & Avolio)

10 source controls mapped|17 target controls covered

50%

VUCA Leadership Framework

9 source controls mapped|10 target controls covered

45%

Argyris Double-Loop Learning

7 source controls mapped|8 target controls covered

35%

Maslach Burnout Prevention Model

5 source controls mapped|8 target controls covered

25%

Senge Fifth Discipline — Learning Organization

5 source controls mapped|8 target controls covered

25%

Kotter 8-Step Change Model

5 source controls mapped|8 target controls covered

25%

Kolb Experiential Learning Cycle

3 source controls mapped|4 target controls covered

15%

Hersey & Blanchard Situational Leadership Model

3 source controls mapped|3 target controls covered

15%

Compare LEADS in a Caring Environment with NHS Healthcare Leadership Model

Frequently Asked Questions

What is LEADS in a Caring Environment?

LEADS in a Caring Environment is a compliance framework from International with 5 domains and 20 controls. The LEADS in a Caring Environment framework describes the leadership capabilities needed to lead effectively in health systems. Developed in Canada by Dr. Graham Dickson and colleagues, it comprises five domains — Lead Self, Engage Others, Achieve Results, Develop Coalitions, and Systems Transformation — with four capabilities each. LEADS is used internationally for health leadership development, assessment, and organisational capacity building. It is used by organisations to establish and maintain compliance with industry standards and regulatory requirements.

How many controls does LEADS in a Caring Environment have?

LEADS in a Caring Environment has 20 controls organised across 5 domains. The largest domains are Achieve Results (4 controls), Develop Coalitions (4 controls), Engage Others (4 controls). Each control defines specific requirements that organisations must implement to achieve compliance.

What frameworks does LEADS in a Caring Environment map to?

LEADS in a Caring Environment maps to 14 other compliance frameworks. The top mapping partners are NHS Healthcare Leadership Model (100% coverage), ICN Leadership for Change Programme (85% coverage), WHO Global Competency Model (85% coverage). Use our comparison tool to explore control-level mappings between frameworks.

How do I get started with LEADS in a Caring Environment compliance?

Start your LEADS in a Caring Environment compliance journey by running a self-assessment on our platform to identify your current compliance posture. Our AI advisory can answer specific questions about LEADS in a Caring Environment requirements, and cross-framework mapping helps you leverage existing controls from other frameworks you may already comply with. Create a free account to access all 20 controls and track your progress.

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