The 3 C’s of Leadership

My relationship with The 3 C’s did not begin in the boardroom but in my early twenties, on the rugby pitches of North Yorkshire, playing for Middlesbrough RUFC. Derick, our social team captain, had a tradition. Before every kick-off, he’d pull us into a huddle and share some inspiration. His message varied each time, but it always followed the format of The 3 C’s, The 3 W’s, or whatever letter took his fancy that day.

One speech, in particular, stuck with me:

“I want you to remember the three C’s of today’s game, lads. Confidence—play your game, we’re the thirds, try things out, and enjoy yourself. Commitment—if a player gets isolated, don’t blame them! Have a word with yourself for not working hard enough to be there. And most importantly, Chums—we are the social team. Look around you, do it for the pals you’ll be singing with in the bar afterwards!”

He was a droll Scot, and his delivery made it work. It was a bit of fun, but it struck me as a great yet simple way of getting a team’s attention and delivering a crystal-clear message.

Fast forward 30 years, and I’m sitting in the Davenport Hotel in Dublin, having lunch with my coaching mentor, Ian. After a career in management consulting, I was building a coaching practice and was keen to learn which tools he had found most effective.

Ian leaned in and said, “One of my favourites is The 3 C’s of Leadership.”

I smiled, shared my rugby story, and then listened as he explained:

• Clarity – Develop a sharp narrative of your team’s mission or purpose. Communicate it often and make it relevant to everyone.

• Conviction – You have to believe deeply in the mission. Prove it by being a role model.

• Collaboration – The best leaders don’t lead alone; they partner with their teams and peers to own the journey together.

Later, I searched The 3 C’s of Leadership online and found many different versions with 14 C’s. Aristotle used Competence, Character, and Caring. John Maxwell replaced Caring with Connection. Other powerful leadership C’s include Courage, Communication, Candor, and Coaching.

A major step for many of us in our careers is the transition from managing to truly leading. I have used The 3 C’s many times since to help leaders refine their mission and leadership performance. There’s a wealth of research, theories, and leadership biographies to explore, but at the beginning of a coaching journey, I prefer this simple yet powerful device to spark discussion and reflection.

As you read this, I wonder—which C' s best define your leadership style? And which ones best suit your leadership context?