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Longer-form practical resources and tools designed to support purposeful leadership, personal growth, and meaningful community engagement.

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Inside First Dialogue Guidebook

Dialogue Guidebook

This guidebook was created to help everyone grasp the value of the dialogue process and to learn how to put it to effective use. It covers what dialogue really is, how it works, when to use it and how it compares with our more common ways of communicating. This guide will also provide a kind of a “starter kit” to get you going.

But dialogue by itself may not be enough. Experience has shown that people want to see some action coming out of dialogue. Just reaching a new level of understanding often begs the question –“what should we be doing about this?” For many people, this question moves them into the action mode.

While several people could be acknowledged for their contributions to this thinking, Suzanne Maxwell, stands out. Her guidance and leadership in promoting and using dialogue has been invaluable!

Veiwpoints- Leading A Life: A West Point Guide

Veiwpoints- Leading A Life: A West Point Guide

West Point, the United States Army’s Military Academy, is possibly the best leadership development institution in
the world. It has produced a remarkable list of leaders from US presidents and military heroes, to CEOs, and astronauts.

Who better to tell the leadership lessons learned there than Larry Donnithorne, a graduate and a thirteen-year faculty member at West Point, who was asked by the Academy’s superintendent to write a book about West Point’s process of leadership development? The result was The West Point Way of Leadership.

This article captures the essence of that book, of which the Harvard Business Review concluded, “The West Point model of leadership is a fascinating and insightful one, one that Donnithorne presents modestly, carefully, and convincingly....The philosophy that underlies is based on moral principle, timeless values, and the leader’s selfless commitment to others.”

Selected Reading: Learning as Way of Being

Selected Reading: Learning as Way of Being

The turbulence in our culture, in our organizations and in our lives represents one of leadership’s greatest challenges. Peter Vaill uses the metaphor of “permanent white water” to describe the pace, confusion, and the jarring reality of change brought on by technology. He makes the case that an attitude of continual learning is the best strategy in these complex, unpredictable systems-driven environments.

Learning

Learning

An orientation towards acquiring knowledge and gaining wisdom; an attitude of growing; asking more questions than answers

Attitude

Attitude

Your overall outlook on life; a mindset or way of thinking that affects everything you do; your demeanor or mood

Spirituality

Spirituality

The human drive to connect with something larger than the self; the process of honoring a higher principle, purpose, or idea; perhaps an orientation to a sacred or higher power; is not necessarily aligned with a religion

Selected Reading: The Power of Purpose

Selected Reading: The Power of Purpose

Richard Leider’s book is a comprehensive guide to purpose, why it’s important in today’s fast-paced world, and how to identify it. Leider argues that American culture has become enslaved to an ethic of “more-better-faster” and is losing touch with the capacity for reflection and silence. He claims our modern technologies are actively isolating us from one another. High-tech is hijacking the high-touch.

Programs

RoundTable Workbook

Welcome to your RoundTable Workbook!

Our hope is that this workbook is one part of what will be a thought-provoking and enjoyable set of experiences with a diverse group of individuals. We ask that you stretch yourself and try new approaches in order to fully realize the benefits.   

Inside First Survey

Inside First Planner

The Inside First® Planner was developed to help you think creatively about your life. It’s a guide to a process that will help you discover or affirm your core essence. It will help you with establishing goals and outlining actions with a focus on your purpose, enabling you to define an integrated life.

This planner complements the planner or scheduling system that you may currently be using. Sections establish the primary building blocks for successful planning on an annual, quarterly, monthly and weekly basis.

Ideas

Vision

A process that describes where you want to be in the future, perhaps a 5-10 year timeframe; a picture of what it will look and feel like when you are achieving your dream

Trust

Trust

Confidence in the integrity and character of a person or organization; the belief that those on whom you depend will meet your expectations; a relationship of reliance. The opposite is suspicion.

Love

Love

That quality in relationships which honors and appreciates others; the feeling of kindness or brotherhood toward others; an intense affection

Integrity

Integrity

Walking your talk; doing what you say you’ll do; relates to your core beliefs in action; the state of being truthful, genuine, and free of deception or duplicity; being whole and undivided

Execution

Execution

The discipline of producing the desired results; having a bias for action tied to accountability; a systematic process of managing who’s going to do what by when

Purpose

Purpose

The quality around which you shape your life; a source of energy and direction; your reason for being or why you get up in the morning

Commitment

Commitment

A state of being emotionally or intellectually bound to a course of action or person; persevering in something arduous; taking responsibility for your promises, regardless of the payback.

Serving

Serving

The act of helping others; a holistic approach to work promoting a sense of community and shared-decision making; realized when others grow; being of service

Organizational Health Assessment

Organizational Health Assessment

Assessing Organisational Character  The Inside First® framework, promoted by the Vail Leadership Alliance, holds that leadership and business success are built on character and ethics before technical skills. This approach maintains that success begins with the...

The Road to Character

The Road to Character

With the wisdom, humor, curiosity, and sharp insights that have brought millions of readers to his New York Times column and his previous bestsellers, David Brooks has consistently illuminated our daily lives in surprising and original ways.

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