First of all 100X is a symbol standing for two things. The “100” stands for 100% health in the leaders emotional intelligence, mental ability and holistic leadership strength and effectiveness. The hallmarks of a leader at 100% health could be:
- They are secure in who they are and confident with their abilities while remaining humble to those they serve.
- They are consistent in the way the lead so that people can count on them.
- They are self-aware and responsive when they have erred.
- They are intently for their people, not against them, or solely for themselves.
- They have something to give others because they are full of the positive even in the midst of of difficult circumstances.
- (See “The 100X Leader, Kubicek & Cockram, 2019)
Of course, it’s unlikely (or perhaps just extremely rare) that any of us will reach 100%, but that is the goal and we should always be making progress towards it.
The “X” stands for multiplication. It’s the intentional transfer of knowledge, wisdom, and skills to those you lead.
Put together, 100X is a formula for great success.
The 100X Leader Assessment is an evaluative tool designed to enhance leadership capabilities, inspired by the principles outlined in the book The 100X Leader by Jeremie Kubicek and Steve Cockram. The authors employ the metaphor of the Sherpa, a native ethnic group from the mountainous regions of Nepal, renowned for their unique genetic adaptations and cultural expertise in high-altitude climbing. This metaphor is central to the book’s philosophy.
Sherpas are celebrated for their ability to assist climbers in reaching the summit of Mount Everest. They must be healthy. They must have skill. They must provide the appropriate support, challenge and leadership to get their people to the summit. Their role goes beyond mere guidance; they actively engage in the climb, embodying a leadership style that is both participatory and supportive, as well as challenging. This approach is what the 100X Leader Assessment aims to cultivate in modern leadership contexts.
In professional settings, leaders often ascend to their positions due to their proficiency in specific tasks or their high performance in previous roles. For instance, consider a hypothetical scenario where an employee, referred to as Bob, excels in his duties and is subsequently promoted to a managerial position. Despite his high performance as an individual contributor, Bob may struggle with the transition to leadership, which requires a different set of skills. His performance might decline as he learns to manage and lead effectively, highlighting a gap in his leadership abilities.
The 100X Leader Assessment is designed to help leaders like Bob (and those who lead leaders like Bob) assess and understand their current performance and leadership effectiveness. It encourages leaders to reflect on questions such as:
- “What is my current level of performance?“
- “How effectively am I leading others?“
- “What are my leadership strengths and weaknesses in this role?“
- “What are my tendencies?”
- “What is it like to be on the other side of me?”
- “Where do I need to grow?”
- “What new skill(s) must I learn?”
By addressing these questions, leaders can identify areas where they and the people on their teams need improvement and whether they need to provide more support or need to provide more challenge to their teams. The assessment also prompts leaders to consider their intentional actions versus accidental behaviors in leadership roles, ensuring they are consciously striving to lead well and for their team’s highest good.