Mastering the Essentials for Organizational Success
The Leadership Competency Playbook
A practical guide for mastering the core leadership competencies required for organizational success in today’s dynamic environment.
A structured approach to continuous improvement
The DOES Leadership Model
The book provides a structured framework to help leaders drive transformation, not just manage change. It moves beyond traditional, hierarchical leadership rooted in control and standardization, advocating for adaptive, resilient, and forward-looking leadership fit for the 21st century.
Design
The stage where organizations define their strategic goals and objectives and develop a plan of action to achieve them.
Organize
The stage where resources are structured to support the execution of the plan.
Execute
The stage where the plan is implemented, and progress is monitored.
Sustain
The stage where the results are evaluated, and adjustments are made to ensure that the improvements are sustainable over the long term.
A true playbook for leadership development
Each dimension of the DOES Model includes clearly defined leadership competencies with accompanying tools for evaluating proficiency.
From strategic visioning and external awareness to project execution and sustainable practices, leaders are guided through the behavioral expectations that support organizational agility and transformation.
The book distinguishes between elastic change (reversible adaptations) and plastic transformation (irreversible shifts), helping leaders assess when to manage within existing systems and when to redesign the system entirely. It emphasizes the shift from Newtonian thinking (linear, controlled) to quantum thinking (fluid, interconnected), preparing leaders to operate in uncertainty and foster innovation.
Competencies in each DOES dimension are tied to practical evaluation tools, including rubrics, behavioral indicators, and interview questions. The book also integrates personality assessment insights, using tools like the Hogan suite to show how traits such as Prudence, Sociability, and Inquisitive relate to resilience, agility, and leadership impact. This approach allows for more targeted coaching and development.
Featuring real-world case studies across industries, the playbook connects theory to practice, offering a roadmap for leaders at all levels. Whether designing strategy, aligning teams, executing initiatives, or sustaining growth, leaders gain the clarity and tools needed to evolve themselves and their organizations. This is a must-have resource for anyone committed to leading through complexity with intention, adaptability, and measurable impact.
Interested in Mastering the Essentials for Organizational Success?
Get a copy of the Book
About the Author
Jose J. Ruiz
Jose is an author, leadership advisor, and organizational strategist whose writing explores the intersection of talent, strategy, and transformation. His work centers on how organizations can build resilience, align leadership with purpose, and thrive in an era defined by uncertainty and rapid change.
Jose brings unique credibility to his writing through decades of hands-on experience advising CEOs, boards, and investors worldwide. He is the CEO and Managing Partner at Alder Koten, an executive search and leadership consulting firm that helps companies align talent with strategy. He also serves as President of the IMD International Search Group, a top global alliance of executive search firms. He is the Managing Partner and Chairman of Anker Bioss, a firm specializing in executive potential evaluation, complexity-based organizational design, and leadership development.
In addition to his consulting work, Jose is a Founding Partner at Elavant Capital. This firm invests in companies committed to elevating humanity by empowering talent and organizations to navigate constant transformation. His experience spans a wide variety of sectors, with particular depth in industrial, manufacturing, supply chain, and consumer industries—especially in the context of digital transformation, Industry 4.0, and the electrification of the automotive industry.
Jose also brings a strong governance lens to his leadership insights. He is a Governance Fellow with the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) and currently serves on the boards of Dimex, Alis Foods, and Silver Ventures. His board expertise includes work on compensation and talent committees, where he provides guidance on CEO performance, executive succession, and human capital strategy.
As an active member of the Conscious Capitalism movement, Jose believes in the power of business as a force for good. He advocates for leadership that elevates human potential while delivering long-term value to all stakeholders. His writing is informed by a belief that the future of work will demand not only more agile organizations but more self-aware, courageous, and values-driven leaders.
