Thought Leadership
Ideas Worth Leading With
Discover thought-provoking perspectives and insights designed to inspire purposeful leadership, meaningful conversations, and personal growth. From leadership principles and workplace culture to wellbeing, community engagement, and living with intention, this collection explores concepts that challenge ideas, spark reflection, and encourage positive impact in both business and life.
Community
Leading thoughts
Newsletter July/August 2026
In this issue you’ll find: In the Works – highlights of upcoming programs, Exemplary Leader Spotlight – Jane West, executive director of The Two Lilies Fund, leader of Heart of the West Counseling and Inside First facilitator, Principle of the Month – Executing, Member Survey for future development and improvements
Newsletter Archives
Newsletter July/August 2026
In this issue you’ll find: In the Works – highlights of upcoming programs, Exemplary Leader Spotlight – Jane West, executive director of The Two Lilies Fund, leader of Heart of the West Counseling and Inside First facilitator, Principle of the Month – Executing, Member Survey for future development and improvements
Gallery
Photos & Videos
Check out our images and videos from events, programs, teachings, and more...
Resources
Curriculum
Humility
Acting with modesty and unpretentiousness; related to your attitude; maintaining a healthy ego rather than exalting yourself; when you act with deference to others; the opposite of boastfulness
Perspectives
Distilled Wisdom: What Decades of Leadership Teach
From the Alliance archives — quotes, practices, and principles that endure across every sector.
Guidebooks
Mentoring Guidebook
Mentoring is guiding, teaching, coaching and counseling others, particularly young and emerging leaders. Serving in this capacity is generally reserved for those who display maturity, wisdom and real-life experience with the time and skill to effectively pass it on to others.
READINGS
Selected Reading: The Book of Joy
The Book of Joy contains the musings of two friends from different worlds. His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Tutu, share what they have learned and witnessed over their long lives.
Distilled wisdom
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Readings
Highlight #1
Selected Reading: The Book of Joy
The Book of Joy contains the musings of two friends from different worlds. His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Tutu, share what they have learned and witnessed over their long lives.
Highlight #2
Selected Reading: Discover Your True North
Discover Your True North links the themes and images of authentic leadership to a compass. The presumption is that when you know yourself well and follow the direction of your internal compass, people will see the real you and will become more likely to connect with you and follow you.
Newsletter Archive
Highlight #3
The Spiritual Path of Purpose: A Journal for Purposeful Living
The Spiritual Path of Purpose is a journal intended to inspire your thoughts about the important process of finding and experiencing a purposeful life. The fifty-three chapters suggest a week-by-week exercise to expose significant quotations, what they imply to me, and to encourage your response through a series of questions.
Newsletter Archive
The Vail Leadership Alliance has had a meaningful impact on both business leaders and the broader Vail Valley community by fostering a style of leadership rooted not simply in achievement, but in character, purpose, and connection. Through its Inside First™ framework, the Alliance encourages leaders to begin with self-awareness, values, and personal growth before focusing on external success or organizational performance.
For many business and civic leaders, the Alliance has created a rare space for honest dialogue, reflection, and mentorship. Its RoundTable and Foundations of Leadership programs bring together small groups of peers who explore ethical leadership, life transitions, and purposeful decision-making in a confidential and supportive environment. Over the past twenty-five years, many hundreds of leaders throughout the Vail Valley have participated in these programs, including individuals who now serve in influential roles across local government, business, hospitality, and nonprofit organizations.
The Alliance’s impact extends far beyond professional development. By encouraging collaboration over competition and meaningful dialogue over division, it helps strengthen the social fabric of the community itself. Its partnerships with organizations such as the Vail Symposium, Vail Daily, Rotary Club, and local nonprofits create opportunities for thoughtful conversations around purpose, leadership, service, and community wellbeing.
Perhaps most importantly, the Vail Leadership Alliance reminds people that leadership is not reserved for titles or positions. It is expressed through mentorship, service, generosity, and the willingness to positively influence others. In a fast-paced world that often prioritizes productivity over humanity, the Alliance has helped cultivate a community of leaders who are more grounded, collaborative, and intentional in the way they live, work, and serve the Vail Valley.
What People Are Saying About Us

The retreat was just priceless for the opportunity to take a break out of our days and to reflect on what matters the most in life (where we’d like to be and how to get there). The weekend was priceless for me to learn and connect from others and hearing their stories and how they faced the issues that they were up against. I am looking forward to a rejuvenated group moving forward and making a significant difference in the community together. As always, I walk away from one of those weekends feeling like I’m on fire. Thank you for creating that feeling and supporting it.
Seth Ehrlich
Executive Director, Snowboard Outreach Society

When I was starting Walking Mountains Science Center, I needed all of the support I could muster up—mentally, spiritually, financially, and otherwise. I found all of this, and more, through these programs. In-depth dialogues with other community members and thought leaders such as Peter Senge, Terry Minger, and David Burger provided me with insights and networks that inspired my work and helped me grow Walking Mountains in the early days. I am grateful for all of the personal and professional growth I have gained, and continue to build upon, through VLI’s programs.
Dr. Kim Langmaid
Founder, Walking Mountains Science Center







