Where Are You on Your Leadership Journey? The LOTUS Growth

There are 3 types of Leaders-Pathetic, Positional and Purposeful. The Pathetic leaders are the ones who lack the vision for themselves first and then their entire team and are just the managers of their circumstances. They are just command followers and just blindly follow what they are being asked to implement to keep their jobs. The Positional Leader is the “best on the team “but has no heart or a strong purpose to drive a team, they are just there to prove their competency as they have been positioned to the authority for a domain they have been working on the same thing for last few decades. However, with the ever-changing constant of the business world dynamics the leaders who leave a legacy and create it wherever they go, are the ones called the Purposeful ones which prove to be the exceptional leaders and they operate at a different level. 

I believe Leadership is not a position but a decision. It is a conscious choice. It’s an action. The mission of a purposeful leader is to always leave the environment they have been asked to lead in much better than what they first found it first. A trues leader does not pass an opportunity to impact. True leaders embrace flaws and imperfection and strive towards to make their journey beautiful. Their belief is to inspire by their life and purpose and turning any adversity into opportunity. Leaders are not the ones only assigned by title. The person who at the face of a problem at work or in their life, without crumbling to the fear of the unknown just say “move I will handle it”. The purposeful leader is like the LOTUS blooming even in the murky waters. It needs a completely different mindset to be a leader in every situation in your life and business. Inspired by this metaphor I created the LOTUS growth model. 

The term Leadership is not just for Business but it is a state of mind which needs constant nurturing by learning where you are and where you want to be, Overcoming the Gap through proven strategies, Troubleshooting the things that don’t work, Unlearn the beliefs that limit their progress and finally create a blueprint of their Leadership Solution mindset that works in every area of their Life and Career. We at Intuitivelevelup academy believe in Leading with Purpose rather than just running behind a position or just driving Balance Sheet Numbers.

 True Leadership starts with the mirror. You will never be able to lead others effectively if you cannot lead yourself efficiently. 

It All starts with YOU. 

Where Are You on Your Leadership Journey? The LOTUS Growth Model

Leadership is not a destination — it’s a dynamic journey of transformation. Every leader, whether just starting out or seasoned, moves through phases that shape their impact, influence, and inner power. The LOTUS Growth model offers a profound, actionable way to understand and accelerate your leadership evolution.

What is LOTUS?

LOTUS stands for Learn, Overcome, Troubleshoot, Unlearn limiting beliefs, and Solution Now — five essential steps that fuel breakthrough growth. This framework is not just theory; it’s a life-tested roadmap that leaders can use to break barriers and create extraordinary results.

The Five Stages of LOTUS Growth

1. Learn 

Leadership starts with a hunger to grow. This phase is about absorbing new knowledge, acquiring skills, and expanding your capabilities. It requires curiosity and discipline to seek out mentors, training, and experiences that stretch you beyond your comfort zone.

2. Overcome

Challenges are inevitable. In this stage, you’re confronting obstacles that test your resolve — whether it’s self-doubt, difficult people, or systemic issues. Overcoming means pushing through fear and resistance with grit and a burning desire to succeed. 

3. Troubleshoot

After initial progress, patterns or problems may emerge that block further growth. Troubleshooting demands reflection and honesty. You identify what’s not working — in your strategy, behaviors, or mindset — and create a plan to course-correct intentionally.

4. Unlearn Limiting Beliefs 

This is the breakthrough stage where real transformation happens. Leadership requires unlearning old stories and beliefs that limit your potential. Maybe it’s the fear of failure, perfectionism, or self-sabotage. Let those go, and you open the door to new possibilities.

5. Solution Now

With clarity and an empowered mindset, you take bold massive action — your “Massive Action Plan.” This isn’t busywork; it’s laser-focused execution aligned with your highest priorities and purpose. "Solution Now" represents the unstoppable leader who creates results and uplifts others.

Why LOTUS Matters on Your Leadership Path

Too often, leaders get stuck in loops of trying harder without shifting mindset or strategy. LOTUS breaks that cycle by combining practical action with deep internal work. It reminds you that leadership is about evolving your identity just as much as your skill set.

Where Are You Right Now?

Ask yourself:

Am I in learning mode — hungry to grow, hungry to better myself?

What obstacles am I overcoming, and how can I harness that struggle as fuel?

What challenges should I be troubleshooting — where might I be stuck or blind?

What limiting beliefs am I ready to unlearn that have been holding me back?

What solutions am I willing to commit to NOW to create massive impact?

There’s no shame in starting anywhere — the journey is yours. The key is to take ownership and decide: Am I playing to win or playing not to lose?

How to Use LOTUS with RPM to Accelerate Your Growth

Here’s a powerful next step: Use RPM to transform your LOTUS insight into action.

Result: Get crystal clear on your leadership outcome for this phase.

Purpose: Connect emotionally with why this result lights you up.

Massive Action Plan: Chunk your next steps into focused blocks that create momentum.

For example, your RPM block might look like this:

Result: “Create a leadership development plan that builds my team’s impact.”

Purpose: “Because developing my people is vital for our mission and my legacy.”

MAP: “Schedule weekly coaching sessions, enroll in a leadership course, practice feedback skills.”

Your Leadership Journey Awaits

Remember, leadership is not about perfection — it’s about progress. LOTUS gives you a model to understand yourself and a path to breakthrough. You’re not alone; every great leader has walked this path, and so can you.

The question is: Where will YOU focus your drive today?