Is strategic thinking something you’re born with or can it be developed over time?

In this episode of Leadership Traits Decoded, Cynthia Kiriazis and Drea Martin explore the leadership trait of strategic perspective - the ability to connect individual actions to long-term goals and make decisions with future impact in mind.

They discuss how this skill shows up differently across leaders, from those who seem naturally wired to “see the whole board” to those who develop their strategic muscles through intentional practice and reflection.

Drawing on real experiences and data-driven insights, they explore:

• Why strategic perspective is more than just “big picture” thinking
• How downtime and reflection create space for strategic connections
• Ways leaders can practice by integrating strategy discussions into team meetings
• How to balance high-level vision with day-to-day execution
• Development tactics for both under- and over-strategizing leaders.

The conversation also addresses a common leadership challenge: finding the right rhythm between generating new ideas and completing existing initiatives without overwhelming the team.

Whether you’re in the C-suite or building your leadership capacity, this episode offers practical ways to strengthen your strategic perspective and help others do the same.

Ready to explore your leadership traits? Connect with us on LinkedIn or visit www.plllab.com to see how we transform leadership intelligence into return-driven action.

What if you could spot challenges and opportunities before anyone else saw them coming?

Pattern recognition enables leaders to identify trends, make informed decisions, and anticipate issues before they emerge, making it a critical component of strategic leadership.

In this episode of Leadership Traits Decoded, Cynthia Kiriazis and Drea Martin explore how this cognitive ability shapes organizational success and what happens when leaders struggle with it.

They cover:

• How pattern recognition helps leaders make faster, better decisions and prevent problems from becoming systemic

• Why connecting dots across people, performance, and market dynamics creates a strategic edge

• The hidden risk: leaders with low pattern recognition often don’t realize what they’re missing

• Development strategies - from pairing with pattern-savvy colleagues to structured peer coaching

• How junior leaders can grow by actively seeking feedback from strategic teammates

• Why seasoned executives may need support systems to compensate for blind spots

• When redistributing responsibilities is the smartest move if development plateaus

The conversation also uncovers a universal truth about leadership development: some traits are harder to teach than others, requiring patience, self-awareness, and the humility to lean on team members with complementary strengths.

Ready to explore your leadership traits? Connect with us on LinkedIn or visit www.plllab.com to see how we transform leadership intelligence into return-driven action.

Is ambition always about climbing the ladder or can it be about mastering where you are?

In this episode of the #LeadershipTraitsDecoded Podcast, Cynthia Kiriazis and Drea Martin unpack the often misunderstood trait of hunger & drive - the internal ambition to achieve, improve, and push beyond expectations with relentless energy and proactive ownership.

They explore:

• Hunger/drive as a constant push for progress and self-fueled motivation
• Why a 50th percentile score means “average,” not failing — and why that’s often enough
• Vertical drive (pursuing advancement) vs. horizontal drive (mastering your current role)
• How personal purpose shapes the way hunger/drive shows up in leaders
• Why leaders should ask about their team’s passions to better understand motivation
• Why drive should be evaluated against role needs, not arbitrary standards.

The conversation highlights how personal purpose shapes drive, how leaders can better understand what motivates their teams, and why matching the right level of hunger and drive to the right role is essential for both satisfaction and performance.

Ready to explore your leadership traits? Connect with us on LinkedIn or visit www.plllab.com to see how we transform leadership intelligence into return-driven action.