Stephen Ball on LSI + : The Life Styles Inventory™ (LSI) with ACUMEN® Insights
With 30 years of experience across 200+ organisations and over 30,000 participants, Stephen Ball has seen what works—and what doesn’t—when it comes to leadership development. Among the many tools he’s used, LSI + has become a standout.
“LSI + is a catalyst, it opens up conversations
most tools don’t even touch.”
Unlike the traditional LSI, the + version dives deeper—addressing areas like project leadership, conflict management, communication, coaching, and team dynamics. Whether he’s using the “Working with We” booklet, or introducing clients to frameworks like the Six Steps to Effective Conversations, Stephen finds LSI + offers clarity, practical strategies, and personalised insights.
The difference? LSI + is not just reflective—it’s developmental.
He often supplements reports with reading from Carolyn Taylor’s Accountability or Marshall Goldsmith’s What Got You Here Won’t Get You There.
Stephen recommends LSI + for leaders who’ve already completed LSI and want to take the next step. “I insist on at least five sessions—it’s too rich not to.”
And while he hasn’t found anything particularly surprising, Stephen is consistently delighted by how well the tool lands.
“People find it straightforward, practical, insightful—and it seems to stimulate a real willingness to work on development areas or consolidate their strengths. It’s that rare tool that bridges the gap between awareness and action—and does so in a way that feels relevant and accessible.”
About Stephen Ball
An experienced facilitator, coach, and Accredited Practitioner, Stephen has delivered programs across the corporate, education, government, defence, and sports sectors—from the NT to Singapore, from Indigenous youth in Port Adelaide to executive teams at the big four banks. With over 800 leaders coached one-on-one and more than 500 LSI 360 debriefs, he brings unmatched depth to the development space.
His goal is simple: help leaders turn insight into impact—and LSI+ is one of the most effective tools he’s found to do just that.
Explore more on LSI +
