Chessboard of Leadership 

♔ King

♗ Bishop

♙ Pawn

♘ Knight

♖ Rook

♕ Queen

Role

The Mission

The Visionary

The Grinder

The Innovator

The Stabilizer

The Multiplier

Key Contribution

Defines purpose and keeps the mission focused.

Aligns direction and values with clear vision.

Advances the mission steadily with perseverance.

Breaks through barriers with creative strategy.

Executes plans reliably and strengthens structure.

Amplifies momentum through bold, timely action.

Attributes

Leads with conviction and clarity. Protects what matters most. Reflects the 'why'.

Brings insight and vision. Moves with clarity across boundaries. Stays aligned to values.

Represents growth, preparation, and discipline. Small start. Forward grit.

Embodies creative strategy and adaptability. Jumps over obstacles. Unorthodox.

Anchors execution. Loyal, calm, and steady under pressure.

Represents boldness, freedom, and influence. Moves in any direction. High capacity.

Chess Play

Moves one square in any direction.

Moves diagonally any number of squares.

Moves forward one square; captures diagonally; first move can be two squares.

Moves in an L-shape: two squares in one direction, then one perpendicular.

Moves any number of squares horizontally or vertically.

Moves any number of squares in any direction.

Strength

Guides the team with clarity and self-sacrifice.

Long-range. Aligned.

Faithful. Persistent. Grows through sacrifice.

Jumps over obstacles. Breaks patterns.

Dependable. Operates with clarity and consistency.

Versatile. Powerful. All-directional.

Leadership Insight

Protect what matters. Everything else supports that.

Vision must align with values to inspire action.

Progress comes through faithful steps, not giant leaps.

Strategy sometimes means solving a problem sideways.

Stability is often the silent strength behind bold missions.

Influence multiplies when boldness meets wisdom.

Top Gun Maverick Parallel

The mission itself—and the people it’s for.

Cyclone. Structured, but not always adaptive.

Bob. Quiet. Underrated. Essential.

Maverick himself. Unconventional. Effective.

Warlock. The stabilizer.

Phoenix. Capable. Balanced. Leader or follower.

The Four Corner Posts

1: Get CLEAR – Commitment

1: Get CLEAR – Commitment

2: Get REAL – Growth & Preparation

3: Get SMART – Strategic Thinking & Action

4: Get GOING – Influence & Execution

4: Get GOING – Influence & Execution

Scripture Reference

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” – 1 Corinthians 10:31

“Where there is no vision, the people perish...” – Proverbs 29:18

“Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” – Galatians 6:9

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” – Romans 12:2

“Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord...” – 1 Corinthians 15:58

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” – Colossians 3:23

Wisdom Quote

“Efforts and courage are not enough without purpose and direction.”
– John F. Kennedy

“Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality.”
– Warren Bennis

“Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.”
– Robert Collier

“You can't use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.”
– Maya Angelou

“Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment.”
– Jim Rohn

“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”
– Mahatma Gandhi

Why

Anchors the importance of mission-first leadership.

Ties clarity and direction to practical leadership.

Celebrates the steady, unseen grind of leadership.

Invites innovation, adaptability, and lateral thinking.

Reinforces execution, systems, and trustworthiness.

Honors servant leadership and high-impact initiative.

Leadership Challenge

Are you keeping the mission central and putting others first?

Where do you need to cast vision more clearly?

What’s the next right step you need to take?

Where do you need to lead with fresh strategy?

Where do you need to provide calm strength and structure?

Where can you multiply your impact today?

When to Play This Role

When the mission must be clarified, protected, and lived out with courage.

When the team lacks vision or direction.

When it’s time to build discipline and take consistent action.

When challenges require creative, unconventional thinking.

When leadership needs consistency, clarity, and calm authority.

When leadership and influence need to scale quickly.

Working Genius

Wonder – Asks big questions, sees potential

Discernment – Judges and advises with intuition

Tenacity – Pushes things across the finish line

Invention – Creates innovative solutions

Enablement – Supports others and strengthens execution

Galvanizing – Rallies people to act and pursue the mission