Unveiling the Collaborative Leadership Framework™: Empowering Leaders at Every Level
In the fast-paced world of business, effective leadership is not a luxury reserved for the few at the top—it is a quality that can be cultivated at all levels of an organisation. Olivia O’Connor, CEO of Liv By Design, unveils her innovative Collaborative Leadership Framework™, a roadmap for individuals across organisations to harness their unique leadership potential and drive success.
A Framework Rooted in Experience and Insight
Drawing from her extensive experience in fostering collaboration and productivity within organisations, Olivia O’Connor has developed the Collaborative Leadership Framework™. This model is not a rigid set of rules but a dynamic guide inspired by the behaviours and strengths of highly effective business leaders and CEOs.
Solving Key Challenges with Collaborative Leadership
In today’s competitive landscape, organisations grapple with a myriad of challenges that hinder growth and success.
One pressing issue is Retention, as young talent often seeks opportunities elsewhere due to a lack of clear growth paths within their current roles. The Collaborative Leadership Framework™ addresses this by empowering individuals to challenge themselves and grow within the organisation, reducing the temptation of leaving for mere pay raises.
Additionally, the model tackles the Delivery of Strategic Plans, recognising that team engagement is pivotal for bringing strategic visions to life. By fostering a culture where every team member feels valued and impactful, the framework ensures that strategic goals are not just set, but achieved through collective effort.
Furthermore, the framework offers a pathway to Sustainable Advantage by harnessing the potential of people capital. Skilled, motivated teams not only boost productivity but also enhance customer experiences, leading to loyalty and sustainable growth. With the Collaborative Leadership Framework™, organisations can shift from reactive firefighting to proactive innovation and continuous improvement.
Lastly, the framework promotes Improved Culture by emphasising the co-creation of a positive work environment. By modelling healthy leadership behaviours, such as open communication and empowerment, the framework cultivates a culture of collaboration and positivity, where every day presents new opportunities for success.
The Essence of Collaborative Leadership: Three Modes of Leading
At its core, the Collaborative Leadership Framework™ revolves around three distinct modes of leading, each offering a pathway for individuals to unleash their leadership prowess:
1. Leading from the Front: Providing Vision and Clarity
- Vision / Clarity: Painting a compelling picture of the future, inspiring others to rally behind a shared goal.
- Presence: Being fully engaged and attuned to the needs and aspirations of the team, fostering trust and connection.
- Insights: Leveraging personal experiences and wisdom to guide strategic decision-making and navigate challenges.
2. Leading from the Side: Coaching and Mentoring
- Understand before being understood: Listening actively and empathetically to team members, creating a culture of trust and openness.
- Feedback: Providing timely and constructive feedback, nurturing growth and continuous improvement.
- Co-Creation of Solutions: Collaborating with team members to develop innovative solutions, harnessing the collective intelligence of the group.
3. Leading from the Back: Facilitating Growth and Collaboration
- Building the Team: Cultivating a diverse and inclusive team, recognizing and amplifying individual strengths.
- Setting the Scene: Creating an environment that encourages experimentation and learning, fostering a culture of innovation.
- Social Contracts: Establishing clear expectations and agreements within the team, ensuring accountability and alignment.

Tailoring Leadership Modes to Role Dynamics
Within the Collaborative Leadership Framework™, the allocation of time across the three modes—leading from the front, side, and back—acknowledges the varied demands of different roles within an organisation.
A CEO, for instance, must predominantly lead from the front, setting the vision and direction for the entire organisation. Team leaders, on the other hand, might find themselves naturally inclined to spend more time leading from the side, coaching and mentoring their teams towards success. HR professionals often excel in leading from the back, ensuring that the right talent is in the right roles.
However, the key insight lies in recognising that we all have inherent leadership preferences, and to truly excel, we must push ourselves to adopt a well-rounded approach. This involves reflecting on our preferred modes of leadership, aligning them with the organisation’s future goals, and then personalising our roles to achieve a balanced spread among the three modes.
Moreover, the Collaborative Leadership Framework™ emphasises the potential for shared leadership modes within a team. No one individual can embody all modes simultaneously, so it encourages collaboration and delegation—ensuring that if one team member is leading from the front, others step up to lead from the side and back.
This collective approach amplifies the impact of each mode, fostering a cohesive and effective leadership dynamic within the organisation.
Nurturing Leadership Potential at All Levels
The Collaborative Leadership Framework™ is not just a tool for top-tier executives—it is a philosophy that empowers individuals at every level of the organisation. This framework is can be especially tailored for middle managers and emerging leaders, offering them a blueprint to evolve from good to great leaders.
For CEOs and Business Owners:
- Empower your middle management to excel as leaders, driving engagement and retention within your organisation.
- Discover the transformative power of collaborative leadership in fostering a culture of innovation and success.
For Teams:
- Unleash your potential as the next generation of leaders within your organisation.
- Embrace the unique strengths and perspectives of each team member, fostering a culture of empowerment and growth.

Embracing the Journey of Collaborative Leadership
In the journey towards effective leadership, the Collaborative Leadership Framework™ serves as a compass, guiding individuals to discover their innate leadership styles and strengths. It is a reminder that leadership is not about a title—it is about action, influence, and the ability to empower others towards a common vision.
Olivia O’Connor’s Collaborative Leadership Framework™ invites CEOs, business owners, and teams to embark on a transformative journey—one that celebrates diversity, fosters collaboration, and propels organisations towards greater heights of success.
Embrace Collaborative Leadership for Business Transformation
Hi I’m Liv,
I’m deeply passionate about the transformative power of collaborative leadership within organisations. If you’re ready to empower your team with skills that are not just relevant but fully aligned with your business objectives, then let’s have a conversation.
Traditional courses can often fall short when it comes to real-world implementation and action. Teams can feel stuck, knowing the “how” but lacking the support and confidence to take meaningful steps.
That’s where my tailored, collaborative approach comes in—I work closely with your team, understanding your unique needs and the nuances of your industry. If any aspect of the Collaborative Leadership Framework™ has resonated with you, and you believe it can propel your team towards success, reach out!
I’d be thrilled to share the inspiring success stories of my clients and explore how we can drive positive change together.
Here’s to a future of empowered teams and thriving business.
Cheers, Liv.


