---
title: "The One Ladder Model: Free Leadership Guide | Velocity"
description: A framework for identifying the missing, broken, sticky, and slippery rungs in your own leadership ladder. A free leadership guide from Velocity Advisory Group.
image: https://coaching.velocityadvisorygroup.com/hubfs/Podcast%20Episodes/Podcast%20Assets%20%28Social%29/Guides/Velocity_AG_The_One_Ladder_Model_Social.png
---

[![Velocity Advisory Group](https://coaching.velocityadvisorygroup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/00%20Brand%20Assets/Velocity%20Logo%202023%20Wide.png?width=169&height=44&name=Velocity%20Logo%202023%20Wide.png)Velocity Advisory Group](https://www.velocityadvisorygroup.com)

Free guide · Activating Greatness

# Rethink the obvious when you recruit.

A framework for identifying the missing, broken, sticky, and slippery rungs in your own leadership ladder.

- The four ways a leadership ladder fails people: missing, broken, sticky, and slippery rungs
- A three-question check on which rung is failing your team
- Three actions for this week and a quick-reference page you can pin up

## Get the free guide

The One Ladder Model · 8 pages · PDF

Trusted by **800+ organizations** across **25+ industries** since 2009

Rarely trueAlmost always true

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Rethink the obvious when you recruit.

The One Ladder Model

WHICH RUNG IS FAILING?

GROUP A

**1**

**2**

**3**

GROUP B

**4**

**5**

**6**

GROUP C

**7**

## What's inside

### The four rungs

Why companies believe they have one ladder, and why many people don't experience it the same way.

### The habits behind it

How naming each failing rung helps people spot it, and why "rethink the obvious" applies to recruiting and retreats.

### Which rung is failing

Three questions on missing, broken, sticky, and slippery rungs, and on the "obvious" hire.

### This week

Why "if it's not broke" thinking makes leaders stale, what it means to lead as support staff, and three actions to start now.

[Get the guide](https://coaching.velocityadvisorygroup.com/leadership-library/one-ladder-model#get-it)

## Results and feedback from Velocity's leadership work

**30% to 8%**employee turnover in one yearBiopharmaceutical company

**+126%**strategic alignment liftBiopharmaceutical company

**95%**retention rate in a construction leadership programVelocity client

> “Now associates understand themselves better, and leaders have new tools to support their teams.”

Chief People and Culture Officer, healthcare products distributor

> “Velocity challenged our team and brought us together in ways that have paid immediate dividends.”

Managing Partner, accounting and advisory firm

## Why the ladder isn't equal

The handbook describes one ladder. People don't all climb it the same way.

### The Obvious Hire

What's obvious to you is obvious to your competitors, so never questioning it keeps you on the same playing field.

### Uneven Rungs

A rung can exist on paper and fail in practice, or be sticky or slippery for some climbers but not others.

### Exclusive Events

Golf outings, hunting trips, and executive retreats often exclude women, mostly without intent.

## From one ladder to a fair climb

A better ladder starts with naming where it fails and rethinking what feels obvious.

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### MAP

Map your leadership ladder against missing, broken, sticky, and slippery rungs.

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### RETHINK

Question the obvious choice in hiring and redesign team events so everyone has a seat.

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### SUPPORT

Velocity Advisory Group helps leadership teams act on what the map shows through coaching, leadership development, and team workshops.

**In Barb Allen's words:** "The best leaders see themselves as support staff." Her goal is "one ladder that is better and safer, that provides an equitable climb for everyone."

### Who this is for

- Leaders in construction and other traditional industries
- HR leaders reviewing career paths
- Hiring managers who default to the obvious choice
- Executives planning retreats and team events

## Build one ladder that works for everyone

Download the guide, then talk with us about the rungs your team needs to fix.

[Get the guide](https://coaching.velocityadvisorygroup.com/leadership-library/one-ladder-model#get-it)

**800+**organizations led through change

**25+**industries

**2009**building momentum since

© 2026 Velocity Advisory Group.velocityadvisorygroup.com

[Get the guide](https://coaching.velocityadvisorygroup.com/leadership-library/one-ladder-model#get-it)