The Touchstones of Leadership – The Course
A Course for Business Leaders – a new and different approach that provides a tool for busy business leaders
A New Business Leadership Tool
With the information explosion caused by electronic communication, we are inundated with reading materials. Sorting, searching, and screening mechanisms are helpful, but important materials often must be noticed in the barrage of items coming at us. Therefore, the need for “Touchstones” to keep our organizations moving through the ever- changing landscape consistent with our strategic objectives is becoming increasingly important as a tool in managing organizations.
Thus, when the leader is confronted with a challenging situation, they can draw upon this well of learnings to help craft a better direction to address the challenge. The Touchstones of Leadership course and companion book provide a tool to aid in developing leaders at all levels in the organization to become responsible realists. It’s a set of guidelines that helps leaders navigate their positions’ unique challenges.
Overview
In The Touchstones of Leadership course, Joseph Carleone presents essential principles to help business leaders thrive while navigating whitewater rapids encountered in today’s business world. Organized within a comprehensive four-part model, the principles in this course form a compass directing organizations from managing operations to aligning strategy. Carleone’s insights are backed by extensive research and his 45 years of experience building trust, seeking and seizing opportunities, and making principle-driven decisions leading companies on a day-to-day basis.
Part One: Managing Oneself
Emphasizes the importance of focusing on what one can control and using gut instincts for major decisions
- Trustworthiness = Character + Competence
- On-going professional development – improvement must begin with self
- Build upon one’s strengths
Part Two: Interpersonal Skills
- Highlights interpersonal, or “soft,” skills, illuminating the value of strong relationships and effective communication
- Take responsibility for relationships
- Trust is the foundation of effective relationships
Part Three: Management Skills
- Underscores the role of business acumen while providing tools for shrewd decision-making and thoughtful talent management
- Empowerment of people and team building
- Dare to teach
Part Four: Strategy & Alignment
- Addresses the strategic perspective leaders must apply to develop and maintain a winning vision
- Forward-looking and over-arching
- Alignment of entire workforce
Business leadership must be responsible and accountable to the entire set of stakeholders: the owners, customers, employees, suppliers, and members of the community in which the business operates. So, the results of business leadership must be measured in the context of improving the economic value of these five stakeholder groups. Good business leaders must be ‘Responsible Realists’.”
So, what exactly is a Responsible Realist? As Touchstones explains, being responsible entails adhering to ethical and legal standards, treating every individual fairly and respectfully, respecting the environment, maintaining honesty and openness in sales and marketing, ensuring safety in products, and providing safe working conditions. Being a realist acknowledges that the world is imperfect and accepts things outside their control as they are, using these realities to develop a business strategy that benefits all stakeholders in the business.
Course Structure
The course is presented in two formats: (1) In-person and (2) Virtual
In-Person Format
Joseph “Joe” Carleone will interact in-person with the participants of the Client company. The company often broadens the participants to members beyond the top level Leadership Team. The material is designed for a full day, organized as follows:
Morning Session
- Introduction
- Part One – Managing Oneself
- Part Two – Interpersonal Skills
Lunch – Informal Discussions
Afternoon Session
- Part Three – Management Skills
- Part Four – Strategy & Alignment
- General Discussion
Virtual Format
This format will be conducted over a video system such as Zoom, Teams or equivalent.
It comprises four one and one-half hour sessions conducted over a four-week period. These can be adjusted to suit the Client’s needs.
The course material will be identical to the In-Person format.