MISSION

We partner with leaders, helping them to pursue their purpose in a healthy way.

We view our work with leaders as a true partnership; never content to just point people forward, we then want to walk with them on the journey. All of our efforts will contain those two elements: equipping and partnership. There is unlimited potential impact if we are patient, intentional in our action, and have sincere belief in our cause.

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VISION

We are transforming the future of leadership.

One of the key problems facing our society today is an unhealthy view of leadership. When we embrace this view, it creates leaders at every level who do damage on a daily basis. Our hope is that healthy leadership will be taught, valued, and used by leaders throughout the world. With decades of dedicated, patient effort, we believe we can begin to transform the future of leadership.

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PURPOSE

We are transforming the future of leadership by partnering with leaders, helping them to pursue their purpose in a healthy way.

The Core Truths are the pillars that support our philosophy at Forward Partners. These truths guide our focus and inform how we move forward.

1. Steady forward progress is healthy progress.
2. How we climb the mountain matters more than getting to the top.
3. Intentionality multiplies our impact.
4. Profitability brings options. 

Core Truth #1: Steady forward progress is healthy progress.
(STEADY PROGRESS)

How do we define steady? It is how fast we are capable of moving, given all our current circumstances, without significantly increasing our stress for an extended period of time. In terms of daily rhythms, new ventures, and measuring success, the watchword is “steady.” There will be times when we can barely crawl and times when we can sprint for extended periods, but our pace will be measured and set according to how well we can maintain steadiness. This core truth keeps us in the driver’s seat, never giving the wheel over to the urgent.

Core Truth #2: How we climb the mountain matters more than getting to the top.
(JOY IN THE PROCESS)

Burnout and loneliness cannot be defeated by burned out, lonely people. It is not enough to simply point to a better way of operating, we must also lead by example. Joy should be a regular experience of those on this adventure. If it isn’t, then we must re-evaluate the decisions that brought us to that point, and be willing to make choices that get us back on track. Only making it halfway up the mountain in the next 40 years, but loving the climb, will have been worth it. 

Core Truth #3: Intentionality multiplies our impact.
(INTENTIONALITY)

Left on its own, an organization will usually drift off course, wasting time and resources to reorient. Our journey should be one of intentional planning and action. With intentionality, we take all the resources that would otherwise be wasted wandering aimlessly, and apply them directly to creating positive impact. We have to be intentional in every area of the business. 

Core Truth #4: Profitability brings options.
(PROFIT)

When we think of Forward Partners from a business perspective, profit must be a key consideration. When we are profitable, it affords us more opportunities for growth, and the luxury of deciding exactly how we operate. This doesn’t mean everything we take on is entirely profit-focused, but it is a part of every discussion. We must be wary of profit for profit’s sake — it must always exist and be sought after to allow us the freedom to chase our purpose, our way.

The Guiding Values are guardrails that help us make decisions, by keeping us oriented in the right direction.

1. Grace
2. Legacy
3. Calm Action
4. Authenticity

Guiding Value #1: Grace

We should always strive to make sure our natural reaction is one of grace. Grace enables us to explore, make mistakes, and keep moving. When people learn to expect grace instead of a harsh response, they are then free to operate with curiosity and a sense of adventure. This, however, doesn’t mean unlimited grace — a pattern of repeated mistakes must be handled for the good of all, but always handled with grace.

Guiding Value #2: Legacy

A constant focus on our legacy will ensure we make plans and decisions patiently. Success will be judged on long timelines — giving new initiatives ample time to find their footing — helping us avoid making mistakes because of haste. The resulting patience that comes from legacy-thinking will be key to guiding a calm company.

Guiding Value #3: Calm Action

Don't mistake our unique way of operating for being a slow-paced company. Calm action allows the excitement of new ideas to mix with the progress that comes from consistent execution. Our actions will be steady, legacy-focused, and impactful.

Guiding Value #4: Authenticity

When making decisions, the choices need to feel like they are authentically Forward Partners. Throughout the life of a successful company, there are many tempting doors opened. The key to finding success for Forward Partners, will be evaluating which opportunities truly line up with who we are. Anytime we ignore our truths and values, and proceed down a road, no matter how big the payoff might be, we will eventually feel the regret and pain that comes with trying to be something we’re not.