LEO's Mission

Leadership. Every person leads every day. We have influence on others, whether we plan to use or benefit from that change. LEO saw the power of daily leadership as we attended the funeral of a young 22-year old professional adult killed in a tragic accident. He never earned a six-figure income. He never bragged or sought the spotlight. He was a person who saw goodness in all people. He brought humor, love, and light to all his relationships. Thousands of people traveled from all over the U.S. for the same reason. This young man had been a leader of how to treat all people with personal interest, dignity, respect, and kindness.

Leadership is how we live our lives and influence others. Whether our clients lead billion dollar businesses, municipalities, nonprofits, family businesses, or religious congregations, LEO helps leaders understand that - regardless of situations they face now - every person can develop a track record of success that includes legacies of positive influence on others.

Ethics. LEO understands some people believe that ethics is purely subjective, that there is nothing true or false, good or evil. We reject that philosophy as false. Recent decades in the U.S. have shown the consequences of leaders who believe "the means justify the ends." All business, government, and religious scandals, even some wars, never would have begun, if leaders had believed that certain actions were not permissible under any circumstance for them.

LEO includes ethics precisely because of our current cultural crisis. Leaders will have more satisfaction in their work, and fewer problems in their organizations, if they learn and apply sound ethical principles in all relationships. LEO will assist in values clarification and assessment of how to improve or prevent situations clients want to avoid or stop.

Persons who have been betrayed or harmed by others naturally create defense mechanisms to protect themselves from more hurt. Like the child brought onto a terrifying amusement ride by someone they trust, once hurt, they are cautious not to trust again and become anxious whenever they remember the experience.

LEO teaches that sound ethics are more than rationalistic systems and programs. Emotions drive ethics. The ability to trust and build relationships, the ability to analyze perceived and real threats without destructive anxiety, the ability to transform harmful events into positive learning experiences, are connected to our emotional matrices and systems.

LEO frankly discusses the role of love in being the central component for the strongest ethical foundation. LEO helps leaders and organizations identify and recognize the sources of distrust and styles of relationships that inhibit healthy ethical treatment of personnel and even clients. Our parents, spouses, and life itself, may not have helped us much in learning how to love in a healthy manner.

Regardless of our life experiences, there is no reason for us not to begin a new legacy of demonstrating and experiencing the benefits of leadership policies and practices that generate respect, loyalty, willingness to follow, and determination to emulate, healthy and constructive ethical behaviors. Love is a great foundation for leaders in every area of life, at every level of responsibility.

Conflict Management. Conflict is a normal part of biology, and of human life. Conflict is unavoidable, so LEO seeks to help leaders prevent unnecessary conflicts, and learn principles to manage all conflicts with better results. Many lawsuits can settle with an apology that is received as heart-felt and genuine. Granted, some people feed on negative, destructive emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. We will meet these people, who often intrude on our lives and organizations. This is part of life.

LEO teaches leaders to look beyond immediate negative reinforcements - such as forced resignations, terminations, and legal actions - until these common tools remain the only viable solutions. We have more and better tools to prevent and overcome most conflicts within our teams and organizations than recommended to us in most cases. LEO enjoys assisting leaders find permanent solutions that are ethical, appropriate, and repeatable over time in building an organizational culture that is healthy and a leadership legacy others want to follow.