WHO WE ARE

Leading Leaders Inc. is an executive education firm that offers a new paradigm for leadership. For nearly twenty years we have been designing a practice for leaders to lead leaders. What our research has taught us is that leaders lead other leaders by learning to lead and follow simultaneously. This process of radical collaboration redefines leadership while building upon it’s foundations.

Although in some cases necessary, the traditional leading followers model is no longer sufficient. Today’s turbulent norm requires that we lead together whether in business, politics or non profit organizations, and doing so requires leading leaders.

We are deeply grateful for our partners across several industries who have made vital contributions to our unique and proven practice. Notable projects include work with The Capital Group Companies, Inc. who utilize the Leading Leaders Practice in American Funds Distributers, American Funds Services and now Capital Bank & Trust Co. Also, Steelcase purchased the intellectual property of Leading Leaders Inc. for their top executive online learning module entitled ‘Leading Diverse Thinkers’.

Our belief in genuine partnerships is what drives how we do business with our clients. Perhaps you’ve heard of the story of the Aborigine woman who upon meeting missionaries at the edge of her village said, “If you’re here to save us you’re wasting your time. If you’re liberation is wrapped up in ours then let’s work together.” We believe our liberation is contingent upon yours and yours upon us. Let’s work together!

THE TEAM

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Jeffrey Spahn

Founder and President of Leading Leaders Inc.

J. Jeffrey Spahn is a researcher, executive educator, entrepreneur, executive coach, storyteller and speaker. With over 20 years of experience Jeff continues to design a unique and powerful leadership practice for leaders, executives, teams and organizations. The Leading Leaders Practice is practical approach to leadership in the 21st Century and is designed enable leaders to mold complexity and ambiguity into innovation and performance.

Disciplines and insights from business and philosophy, arts and athletics, science and spirituality enliven this practice. A degree in business from the University of Michigan and a doctorate from the University of Chicago ground his practice in sound scholarship. After more than twelve years of executive leadership Mr. Spahn taught business graduate students and conducted research on the purpose of business. During this investigation he engaged many of the top executives in the United States.

In response to a publisher’s request Jeff is currently writing a book entitled The Magic of Mutual Leadership: How to Lead and Follow Simultaneously for Exponential Results. His most recent published article by the same title can be found in Developing Leaders Magazine by clicking here

Other published articles include “Leading Leaders: The Art of Peak Performance”, Velocity, vol.4, No.2, 2nd Quarter 2002, “The Leading of Leaders in the Boardroom”, Directors & Boards, Winter 2003 edition, “Honest Boardroom Communication”, Director’s Monthly, November 2002 “A New Capitalist Manifesto?: Re-imagining Business in the 21st Century” Virtual Strategist Spring 2004, “Transforming (Not Overcoming) Objections’, Advisor Perspectives, November 2011, “3 Steps to Empathic Active Listening”, FPA’s Practice Management Solution., March/April 2012.

Board memberships include The Chicago Moving Company, a modern dance enterprise, SCUPE, a nonprofit dedicated to developing urban leaders and the University of Michigan Ross School of Business Alumni Club of Chicago.

Capital Group Companies utilizes The Leading Leaders Practice™ in American Funds Distributers, American Funds Services and now Capital Bank & Trust Co. Steelcase purchased the intellectual property of Leading Leaders Inc. for their top executive online learning module entitled ‘Leading Diverse Thinkers’. Other clients include Accenture, Motorola Inc., ServiceMaster, FMC Corp., and Northern Trust.

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Jed Purses

Partner – Leading Leaders Inc.

Jed Purses helps leaders and executives build modern and effective leadership practices.

As a partner at Leading Leaders Inc, Jed works with individuals, teams, and organizations to help transform their leadership culture from one of directing followers to one of leading leaders. Learning to lead leaders is a necessary part of becoming an effective leader in todays dynamic organizational environments.

As a leader early in his career, Jed found himself questioning the examples of leadership around him. The leadership models he witnessed often left people stressed, tired and disengaged. Outcomes often suffered. Potential often wasted.

Since then, Jed’s aim is to help leaders and future leaders effectively leverage their expertise. Many of Jed’s clients come to him after having spent their careers becoming experts in a field, while spending little time learning to best leverage their expertise through working relationships and leadership. In an age where it is no longer enough to be the smartest person in the room investing in one’s leadership practice is paramount to innovation, success, and personal satisfaction.