YPO – Young Presidents – Not So Alone At The Top!

Spring/Summer Tribal Council

In existence since 1950, this premier organization YPO represents a virtual “Who’s Who of Business Leaders.” There is considerable business and political influence in this group with YPO members including former Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Nelson Mendela and Fidel. Castro. YPO was founded so top business leaders (CEOs, Presidents and CEOs) could find wisdom through mutual support and not have to say “man, he’s lonely at the top.”

YPO’s mission: “Better leaders through education and idea sharing.” CEO Think Tanks are a concept that dates back to Native American Tribal Councils, where top tribal chiefs would gather around fires to share best hunting and fishing practices. Today, those discussions taking place in the private trust of CEO Tribal Circle are about a different, but nonetheless challenging, quest to build a thriving and ethical organization in a competitive marketplace. Talk to any CEO! To be loved and respected by shareholders, customers and employees, not to mention your number one customer, “your own family”, requires a mix of warrior instincts and an ultimate combination of Survival Skills and Emotional Intelligence.

There was definitely a “people rush” during this YPO retreat, as members barely had time to breathe with a jam-packed schedule including “A Rocks and Ropes Team Adventure”, martial arts training for the CEO, “A Fly Fishing and Leadership Course” and even a workshop on how “Winemaker Wisdom can improve Corporate Communication”. There were even two rounds of golf — Yes, golf can improve your leadership game! A Central theme: To help each other succeed, team members must get to know each other first, and what better way to do that than with the help of the Great Outdoors.