In the past few years, the workplace has changed more rapidly than at any other time in history. Unfortunately, the internal workings of organizations, including how we lead people, have not broadly changed in response. In 2021, 47 million people left their jobs. This is forcing leaders to rethink their approaches to leading people. While the pandemic provided heightened awareness about the state of work, we have been barreling toward a shift for some time now. In some workplaces, as many as five generations work together. Millennials represent the largest adult generation; by 2025, they will make up 75% of the workforce. And what was once only concern about the widening leadership gap has morphed into something more regrettable. Repeated scandals have rocked the global economy over the past two decades crushing consumer confidence and destroying employee trust.

Leader-First Leaders think differently. They desire to build enduring organizations that transcend market disruptions, competition, and existential crises. Looking first to themselves, they understand that their actions or inactions shape every part of the organization, starting with the success of their team members. By cultivating the Leader Touchstones, Leader-First Leaders nurture relationships with all the organization's stakeholders. They courageously challenge the status quo by relinquishing short-term, unsustainable results and, instead, put in the work to build healthy organizations that thrive long after they're gone. If this is you, you are a leader that plays the long game. I wrote this book for you. 9 Leader Touchstones takes you on the journey to becoming a Leader-First Leader. It will be some of the most challenging work you do during your leadership trek. But know that the journey will be rewarding. Along the way, you will expand your thinking on what it means to truly lead people well. And your commitment to the process will unleash your team's unique potential to build a dynamic, enduring organization.