What is the 70 20 10 rule leadership?

Asked by: Mr. Ryder Weissnat  |  Last update: February 9, 2026
Score: 4.7/5 (33 votes)

The 70-20-10 rule in leadership development is a model suggesting leaders learn best through a mix of experiences: 70% from challenging on-the-job tasks, 20% from developmental relationships (mentors, feedback), and 10% from formal training/courses, with the focus shifting from traditional education to practical, experience-based growth. Developed by researchers at the Center for Creative Leadership, it emphasizes learning by doing and interacting, not just classroom learning.

What is the 70 20 10 rule in leadership?

The 70-20-10 rule in leadership development suggests that people learn best through a mix of experiences: 70% from challenging on-the-job assignments, 20% from developmental relationships (coaching/mentoring), and 10% from formal training (courses/reading), emphasizing practical application over traditional learning. Developed from research by the Center for Creative Leadership in the 1980s, it highlights that leaders are made through experience, not just taught in classrooms.
 

How does the 70/20/10 rule work?

Applying around 70% of your take-home pay to needs, letting around 20% go to wants, and aiming to save only 10% are simply more realistic goals to shoot for right now. 'It's about making sure we're doing all we can to make our money go as far as possible,' HyperJar CEO Mat Megens says.

What are common pitfalls of the 70 20 10 rule?

What are the 70 20 10 model criticisms? Despite its rise in popularity and the fact that many people believe it is 70:20:10 is still relevant, many people and organizations point to problems. A big part of the 70 20 10 model criticism has to do with the lack of empirical supporting data and the use of absolute numbers.

Does the 70 20 10 rule work for personal growth?

By allocating 70% of learning to on-the-job experiences, 20% to social learning, and 10% to formal education, this model encourages a balanced approach to personal and professional growth.

The 70-20-10 Model of Learning

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Is 70/20/10 better than 50/30/20?

Choose the 50-30-20 rule if you want clear separation between needs and wants, and have flexibility in your discretionary spending. Opt for the 70-20-10 rule if your essential expenses are higher or you prefer a straightforward budgeting method that still emphasizes savings and investments.

What are the 4 pillars of personal growth?

Emotional, psychological, social, and spiritual health comprise personal growth's four pillars. To begin with, you can start small, reflect at least sometimes, and depend on your friends, and professional help is not even the last resort. Growth is the journey of life and certainly not the destination.

Is 70/20/10 still relevant?

The ratios make sense on paper, seeing that “learning by doing” is the most effective way to apply and habituate new skills. There's just one problem. The 70-20-10 model is aspirational, but it's not being implemented.

What are alternatives to the 70:20:10 rule?

Some alternative strategies to the 70-20-10 rule for risk allocation in budget management could include the 50-30-20 rule, where 50% of the budget is allocated to fixed costs, 30% to variable costs, and 20% to savings or debt reduction.

How to create a 70/20/10 development plan?

The 70-20-10 development model allocates 70% of learning through on-the-job experiences, 20% from interactions with others (social learning), and 10% from formal educational events. Strong collaboration between workers and managers is essential to shape individual learning plans.

What is the $27.39 rule?

The "27.39 Rule" (often rounded to $27.40) is a personal finance strategy to save $10,000 in one year by setting aside approximately $27.40 every single day, making large savings goals feel more manageable through consistent, small habit-forming deposits. This method breaks down the daunting task of saving $10,000 into daily, achievable micro-savings, encouraging discipline and helping build wealth over time. 

Can I retire at 70 with $400,000?

You can likely retire at 70 with $400k, but it depends heavily on your spending and other income (like Social Security); using the 4% rule (around $16k/yr initially) plus Social Security could provide $36k-$40k+ total income for a modest budget, but you'll need strict budgeting and may need to reduce expenses or work part-time for a comfortable retirement, especially with potential healthcare costs. 

What percentage of Americans have $1,000,000 in retirement savings?

Data from the Federal Reserve's Survey of Consumer Finances, shows that only 4.7% of Americans have at least $1 million saved in retirement-specific accounts such as 401ks and IRAs. Just 1.8% have $2 million, and only 0.8% have saved $3 million or more.

What are the 3 C's of leadership?

The "3 Cs of Leadership" vary but commonly refer to Character, Competence, and Commitment (Gen. Perna/Army) or Character, Connection, and Competence/Credibility (John Maxwell/others), emphasizing integrity, expertise, and the ability to relate to and inspire followers to build trust and drive results, with different models adding elements like Conviction, Clarity, or Compassion. 

Do leaders be born or made?

That is, leadership is not something we are simply born with like blue eyes or red hair. Leaders, especially outstanding leaders, are developed over time through hard work and lived experiences.

What is the number one rule of leadership?

Rule 1: Lead by Example

If you expect others to meet deadlines, you need to meet them yourself, and so on. Leading by example leads to being respected for what you do on behalf of the organization. Being respected is a must for good leadership and it is not given, but earned over time.

Is the 50/30/20 rule better than 70/20/10?

It can work well if your essential expenses are within 50% of your income and you want a balanced approach to spending and saving. 70/20/10 Rule: May be better if you aim to save more aggressively or have higher essential expenses that exceed 50% of your income.

What is the 70:20:10 model of leadership development?

According to the 70-20-10 rule, leaders learn and grow from 3 types of experience, following a ratio of: 70% challenging experiences and assignments. 20% developmental relationships. 10% coursework and training.

Who came up with the 70/20/10 rule?

The 70:20:10 model was forged in the 1980s, in a time when back-combed hair ruled the catwalks. It was developed by Morgan McCall, Michael Lombardo and Robert Eichinger, authors working for the Centre for Creative Leadership.

Who invented 70/20/10?

The 70:20:10 development model has been kicking around since the 80s when Morgan McCall, Michael Lombardo and Robert Eichinger first introduced it.

What are the benefits of 70:20:10 model?

Benefits of the 70-20-10 approach

70% of learning happens through hands-on experiences and real-world challenges. 20% of learning occurs through social interactions, such as mentoring, coaching, and collaborative projects. 10% of learning results from formal training programs, workshops, and courses.

Where does the 70/20/10 rule come from?

The 70:20:10 model for learning and development (also written as 70-20-10 or 70/20/10) is a learning and development model that suggests a proportional breakdown of how people learn effectively. It is based on a survey conducted in 1996 asking nearly 200 executives to self-report how they believed they learned.

What are the 4 D's of success?

The Four D's of Success- Desire, Dedication, Determination, and Discipline.

What are the 4 A's of success?

Marketing Technology Leader | Product-Led Growth…

The 4 A's of Success is a concept that emphasizes the importance of asking questions, having a positive attitude, taking action, and being accountable.

How to align mind, body, and spirit?

Finding Balance: Simple Practices to Align Mind, Body, and Soul

  1. The Mind: Cultivating Mental Clarity and Focus. ...
  2. Simple Practices for Mental Balance. ...
  3. Meditation and Mindfulness. ...
  4. Mental Declutter. ...
  5. Positive Affirmations. ...
  6. Breathing Exercises. ...
  7. The Body: Nourishing and Energizing the Physical Self. ...
  8. Exercise.