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NEWS: Our new guide 'The Exceptional Scale-Up CEO' is now available.  Click here for more information and to download.

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Whether it's developing the leadership in your organisation, 1:1 developmental support, or development to help other's grow.  Book a complementary discovery call with us now.

Who are the IAD?

Leadership Development

Unlock the potential of exceptional leadership

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Facilitation

Conduct exceptional strategy sessions

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Hello!

We are Sean Ellis and Darren Stevens

As a business leader, you want to make the most favourable choices for your business - the choices that promote agility, resilience, and sustainability, the choices that give your business the competitive edge, the choices that inspire.


As a Coach, this is what you want for your clients.


But it’s difficult to do this confidently in the uncertain, demanding environment of modern enterprise - What if conditions changed? What if I’ve misunderstood the situation? What if I make the wrong choice?


There is one easy answer to reducing the frequency, intensity and impact of the anxiety of uncertainty that we all feel from time to time.


Our evidence based approach develops the quality of your thinking, making you more at ease with uncertainty and change, enabling you to more confidently make the choices required to grow your, or your client's business sustainably.

Why work with the IAD?

Here's what some of our clients think about us

"A great few sessions with Sean, who helped structure my thought process and put me on a better path towards clarity.” 

Luke Farran - Co-Founder

“Personally I would choose only coaches who passes this training successfully.”

H. Arne Maus - Author/Entrepreneur

"You [Dr Stevens] are creating a revolution in leadership understanding and practice"

Brian Cunningham - CEO & Leadership Author

“Working with Sean has changed my perception of what coaching can be. It felt really good and not what I expected.” 

Jim Bulmer - Founder

Blog

Why Hybrid Work Is Exposing a Leadership Crisis - and How to Fix It

by Sean Ellis • 6 April 2025
Discover why hybrid work is exposing a critical flaw in traditional leadership—and what forward-thinking organisations can do about it. This article explores how the complexity of hybrid environments is revealing a lack of cognitive agility among leaders, resulting in disengagement, burnout, and cultural drift. Learn why technical fixes aren’t enough, and how developing Dynamic Intelligence can bridge the gap. Featuring insights from McKinsey, DDI, and the Institute for Adult Development, this thought-provoking piece offers a roadmap for cultivating leadership that thrives in complexity. If you're responsible for shaping leadership capability in your organisation, this is essential reading.

Revolutionising L&D: What Dynamic Intelligence Brings to the Table

by Sean Ellis • 15 March 2025
Traditional L&D focuses on skill-building, but true professional fulfilment comes from cognitive growth—expanding how employees think, adapt, and navigate complexity. Without this, engagement stalls, and learning becomes transactional rather than transformational. This article explores why cognitive development is the missing link in L&D, how Dynamic Intelligence (DI) equips employees with the ability to challenge assumptions, shift perspectives, and make more intentional decisions, and three practical ways to integrate cognitive growth into your learning strategy. When employees experience intellectual expansion, not just skill acquisition, they don’t just perform better—they feel more engaged, adaptable, and fulfilled. 🔹 Read the full article to explore how cognitive growth drives lasting professional development and workplace happiness.

The Power of Awareness: Unlocking Potential Through Cognitive Insights

by Sean Ellis • 8 March 2025
Leadership growth isn’t about working harder—it’s about seeing differently. Most leaders operate within Cognitive Intentions—deeply ingrained thinking patterns that shape how they assess challenges, make decisions, and drive change. Without Awareness of these patterns, leadership development efforts reinforce old habits rather than unlocking new possibilities. This article explores how expanding Awareness at a cognitive level enables leaders and teams to challenge assumptions, break free from habitual thinking, and drive sustainable growth. Learn how the Dynamic Intelligence Development System (DIDS)™ provides a structured way to develop cognitive flexibility, enhance decision-making, and foster high-performance leadership. Discover three key Awareness shifts that can transform leadership effectiveness and a practical step to start applying them today.
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