THE GUIDESTAR DESIGN FRAMEWORK
One Foundation Across Every Program
The Character-Based Capitalism programs are built around a consistent framework of four pillars. While the core content remains the same, the questions, exercises, and application are tailored to the leadership level for which each program is designed.
The framework is designed to engage learning, change behaviors, and turn ideas into action so organizations can transform and sustain their culture.
Character‑Based Capitalism
Shared Core Values
Pillar 1:
Shared Core Values
Capture the hearts of employees and align behaviors for trust, consistency, and strong performance.
Leaders at All Levels
Pillar 2:
Leaders at All Levels
Equip people throughout the organization to influence actions, decisions, culture, and results.
Transcendent
Organizational Purpose
Pillar 3:
Transcendent Organizational Purpose
Connect work to a purpose beyond profit to increase engagement and make work more meaningful.
Commitment to
Performance Excellence
Pillar 4:
Commitment to Performance Excellence
Continuously strengthen leadership, knowledge, and execution to improve innovation and productivity.
CORE LEARNING
A Shared Foundation for Every Participant
Learning begins with two digital books that introduce the principles
and real-world practices of Character-Based Capitalism.
The Story of the Character-
Based Car Company
illustrated parable, which introduces the
leadership practices of Character-Based
Capitalism through the story of two
competing companies.
leadership experts into an engaging
format that can be read in less than an
hour.
It’s My Company, Too!
featuring leadership practices used by eight organizations across different industries.
program workbooks to show how Character-
Based Capitalism practices can be applied in
real organizations.
CONTENT AREAS
Content is consistent across all CBC Programs. While the same topics are addressed, the questions and
exercises are tailored for the different leadership roles of the leadership level for which each program is
intended. Every program begins with a Kick-off Meeting or Overview Module followed by a segment for
each of the four pillars.
KICK-OFF MODULE
Kick-Off Meeting
Overview
Performance Excellence
- Innovation
- Journey to Performance Excellence
Assessments
- Personality Profile
- Emotional Intelligence Assessment
- Leadership Assessment
Change Vision
FOUR PILLAR FRAMEWORK
Pillar One:
Shared Core Values
Alignment on Shared Core Values
- Development of Shared Core Values
Building the Character-based Culture
- Hiring for Character
- Recognizing and Rewarding for Character
- Artifacts of Organizational Culture
Pillar Two:
Leaders At All Levels
What Makes a Leader
- Management vs. Leadership
- Levels of Leadership
- Servant Leadership
Competences of a Leader
- Character
- Emotional Intelligence
- Business Knowledge
- Critical Thinking
Pillar Three:
Transcendent Organizational Purpose
Alignment on Purpose - Development of:
- Vision
- Mission
- Goal
Line-of-Sight
Pillar Four:
Commitment To Performance Excellence
Leadership Attributes
- Transformational Leadership
- Emotionally Intelligent Leadership
Knowledge Attributes
- Transparency
- Collaboration
Execution Attributes
- Teamwork
- Mindfulness (to prevent failures)
LEARNING PROCESS
Within each pillar and workbook, the learning process is divided into three sections:
Section 1: DISCOVERY
- Videos that expand on the practices illustrated in The Story of the Character-based Car Company
- Success stories from award-winning companies excerpted from the book It’s My Company, Too!
- Discussion questions and exercises to help participants envision what practices will look like in their company and learn how to apply them.
Section 2: PRACTICE EXERCISES
- For each CBC pillar, participants select two or more suggested behaviors or practices from covered topics to experiment with during the next two weeks.
- These selections are shared with colleagues during team meetings or with their coach.
- Experiences with these selections are shared during staff meetings or coaching sessions.
Section 3: ACTION PLAN
- From a provided list, participants individually assess the presence or absence of HR and communication practices in their company or area(s) of responsibility.
- Depending on the CBC Program, the practices rated as absent are prioritized as a team or individually.
- Accountabilities are assigned to develop action plans to implement the top priority practices.
- The Action Plan Section is not included in the Grassroots Leadership Program.
APPRECIATIVE INQUIRY
Appreciative Inquiry (AI) is an approach to learning that strives to pull out the best from all participants by
focusing on elements that bind, such as values and goals, rather than those that separate or divide, such as
opinions. Facilitation of the CBC Program employs the four stages of AI Design: Discovery, Dreaming, Designing, and Delivering, also identified as the 4D model (For more details, see S. Srivastva & D. Cooperrider (1999) Appreciative management and leadership (Rev. ed.), Euclid, OH: Williams Custom Publishing).
Discovering What IS in terms of
where the company is in its
business life cycle, the Journey to
Performance Excellence, and the
present culture as well as getting
Assessment Results on the
current state of the leadership
team
Dreaming about What Could Be exists within
team meeting discussions when the client’s
leaders collaborate on envisioning their company
culture emulating the Character-based Car
Company and success stories from It’s My
Company, Too!
Who is it For?
Consultants & Coaches
Add a complete system for leadership development and culture change to your practice.
Leaders of Organizations
Develop leaders at all levels who build and reinforce an innovative, character-based culture
BE A CHAMPION
Are your ready to help develop leaders who build innovative, character-based organizations and win in the new era?
GuideStar can help you champion leadership development that strengthens culture, improves performance, and creates lasting value.
