October 16th, 2025

—

Everyone starts somewhere. And everyone can grow. But you need to know where you are, so you know what to focus on next. The quality leadership journey is the map that helps you locate where you are and what’s next. 

Here’s how the journey unfolds:

—

1. Explorer – the foundation stage 

‘I have my certificate. Now what?’ 

You’ve passed the course, and now you’re getting ready to get started. But you’re staring at a system you don’t have any idea how to run. Most training providers leave you here. Full of knowledge, but with no real direction. It’s an exciting time, but it’s overwhelming too. 

If you’re at this stage, if you’re an explorer, then your goal is to move through the journey to become a learner, and to do that you need to build clarity and learn how it all connects.

Start mapping the system and get to know how the organisation works. Understand the flow between processes. Ask questions and be curious. This is the time to build the base of your leadership.  

2. Learner – the learning curve

‘I understand the theory, but applying it is hard.’ 

Welcome to quality quicksand. When you’re a learner, you might feel like you’re trying your best, but real-world quality feels messy and chaotic. You’re often stuck in a loop. Instead of learning the systems to lead the standard, you just go back to learning generally – more courses, more qualifications, more knowledge, just hoping that something will click. 

If this is you, you’re not alone. Out of the 9,000 professionals I’ve worked with, roughly 50–60% are stuck here. But if you stay here, you won’t be able to move forward to become a practitioner.  

So your goal here is to get practical. Apply the basics to real work. And break the loop. 

Choose one process, or one team and take one idea for improvement or innovation and put it into practice. Don’t worry about mastering everything. Just focus on connecting theory to practice.  

3. Practitioner – the breaking point 

‘I’ve built solid systems, but no one’s listening.’ 

This is where it gets frustrating. You’ve done the work. Your systems are sound. But when you speak up? Crickets. You simply aren’t getting through, or making any impact. The issue isn’t your competence – you have all the knowledge you need. But you don’t have the connection. 

This is your make-or-break moment.  

Your focus here is to shift from systems to influence. To build buy-in with those in your organisation.

To do this you have to start communicating differently. You need to make the message simple, easy to embrace and relevant to your teams. Show them how quality helps them – not just how it ticks the box. This is your moment to stop pushing process and start pulling people in. 

4. Expert – the performance stage 

‘I help others understand.’ 

When you’re an expert, you’re no longer just executing. You’re in a place where you’re making an impact. You’re mentoring. You’re trusted. And because of that you’re making things better across the business – not just for audit day, but every day. Your tools now include soft skills, strategic thinking and a reputation that carries weight. 

This is a great place to be. But it’s still not your ultimate goal. To move forward you need your focus to be on leading change, developing others and ‘thinking beyond the clause’.

Embrace the soft skills and strategy you’ve developed to help your teams embed quality into how they work, not just what they document. This is how you can create momentum and help the entire organisation to succeed.  

5. Leader – the legacy stage 

‘I am leading the standard.’ 

This. This is where we want to be. This is where it all comes together. Here you have all the pieces. You have the knowledge. You have the systems. You have the applications. You have the soft skills and the strategy.  

When you’re a leader, you’re influencing the big picture. You are a culture builder. A strategist. A voice for what quality and improvement really mean. And your impact extends well beyond quality. 

You’ve stopped doing quality. You’re now leading quality. 

Next Steps for Your Quality Leadership Journey 

1. Take the Lead the Standard Quiz
Find out where you are right now on the Quality Leadership Journey and discover your next focus.

2. Map Your Current Stage
Write down which stage best describes you (Explorer, Learner, Practitioner, Expert, Leader) and note two challenges you’re facing.

3. Pick One Action
Choose a small, practical action from your stage description—whether it’s mapping processes, trialing an improvement, or shifting your communication style—and commit to doing it this week.

4. Start a Conversation
Share your stage and action with a colleague, mentor, or your team. Talking about your journey builds accountability and influence.

5. Plan Your Growth
Decide what moving to the next stage looks like for you and set one measurable goal to make it happen.