The Six Dimensions of Leadership Impact

So if old metrics don’t work, what does? Over the last few years, I’ve helped organisations design a new kind of scoreboard, one that captures not just outcomes, but the drivers that make them possible. It comes down to six dimensions of leadership impact.

1. Outcomes

Of course, outcomes matter. Did you deliver what you said you would? But in 2026, outcomes need to be measured beyond profit. Did you deliver sustainably? Ethically? In a way that built, not broke, your culture?

2. Cycle Time

Speed is the new competitive edge. How quickly can your organisation make decisions, move projects, and learn from mistakes? Cycle time captures agility, not just efficiency.

3. Load

This is one most organisations miss. Load is about energy. Are workloads sustainable, or are you running people into burnout? Tracking load gives leaders an early-warning system before attrition spikes.

4. Trust

Trust is the currency of leadership. If your people don’t believe in you, they won’t follow you. Surveys, engagement scores, and even retention data reveal whether trust is being built or broken.

5. Capability

Are you building the skills your people need for the future, AI literacy, adaptability, emotional intelligence? Measuring learning and skill growth ensures your teams stay future-ready.

6. Compliance

Compliance isn’t about ticking boxes, it’s about leading responsibly. Are you modelling ethics, inclusion, and transparency? This dimension protects both reputation and resilience.

Why These Six Dimensions Matter

Together, these six dimensions create a holistic view of leadership impact. They ensure leaders are measured not just on what they deliver, but on how they deliver it.

An organisation that balances these metrics won’t just hit targets, it will build cultures capable of sustaining performance long-term.

A Real Example

A client of mine redesigned their leadership scoreboard around these six dimensions. Within 12 months, they saw a 30% reduction in burnout claims, a 15% lift in engagement scores, and faster delivery on projects. Why? Because leaders were finally being held accountable for the right things.

Final Thought

The six dimensions of leadership impact aren’t a “nice-to-have”, they’re the new baseline. If you want to thrive in 2026 and beyond, start measuring what actually matters.

Because when leaders know they’ll be measured on trust, energy, and capability, not just profit, they lead differently. And that’s the change workplaces are crying out for.

If you would like to book in a time to speak with Ally: CLICK HERE.

---

Ally Nitschke is a best-selling Author, an award-winning Thought Leader and Speaker. She has been working with leaders and as a Leader for over 20 years.

She is on a mission to change the way we communicate at work, to lean into those uncomfortable conversations and lead with courage.

Ally is a Keynote Speaker at conferences, delivers Transformational Programs & highly engaging workshops as well as provides Executive Coaching.