The Useful MBA: T-Shaped Leadership Triad

A dynamic framework that integrates interdisciplinary breadth with focused depth, guiding leaders in architecting strategies, building effective teams, and crafting successful outcomes across diverse areas of expertise.

Read About the Framework

ABC Level	The What	Description	The Why (Raison d'être)
ARCHITECTING Leadership & Strategizing	A1: Drivers	Staying attuned to external forces and potential disruptions.	Thrive and stay ahead.
	A2: Diffusions	Spreading and embedding strategic ideas across the organization.	Unite our vision.
	A3: Divergences	Balancing new directives from above while maintaining essential decisions.	Adapt and remain strong.
BUILDING Managerial & Decision-Making	B1: Directives	Providing clear and actionable guidance.	Guide with clarity.
	B2: Dilemmas	Resolving complex issues and balancing conflicting demands.	Choose the right path.
	B3: Duties	Ensuring responsibilities are clearly defined and met.	Uphold our commitments.
CRAFTING Operational & Doing	C1: Deadlines	Meeting goals within established timeframes.	Deliver on time.
	C2: Deployments	Maintaining and enhancing ongoing work.	Strengthen our efforts.
	C3: Dependencies	Navigating and resolving conflicts during execution.	Overcome and move forward.

ARCHITECTING

Leadership & Strategizing

A1: Drivers

Staying attuned to external forces and potential disruptions.

Thrive and stay ahead.

A2: Diffusions

Spreading and embedding strategic ideas across the organization.

Unite our vision.

A3: Divergences

Balancing new directives from above while maintaining essential decisions.

Adapt and remain strong.

BUILDING

Managerial & Decision-Making

B1: Directives

Providing clear and actionable guidance.

Guide with clarity.

B2: Dilemmas

Resolving complex issues and balancing conflicting demands.

Choose the right path.

B3: Duties

Ensuring responsibilities are clearly defined and met.

Uphold our commitments.

CRAFTING

Operational & Doing

C1: Deadlines

Meeting goals within established timeframes.

Deliver on time.

C2: Deployments

Maintaining and enhancing ongoing work.

Strengthen our efforts.

C3: Dependencies

Navigating and resolving conflicts during execution.

Overcome and move forward.

The Journey Behind This Framework

I first started thinking about this framework in the summer of 2022. I'll admit—this project has been asleep for quite a while. But now, in June 2025, I'm ready to give it another go. Here's where it all began:

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