In a world where leadership often determines the trajectory of organizations, the Jones Leadership Academy has taken a bold step in nurturing the next generation of leaders. This unique program, designed to cultivate self-awareness, effective communication, and leadership development, has recently celebrated the graduation of its latest cohort.
As Jim Collins wisely noted, "Greatness is not a function of circumstance. Greatness, it turns out, is largely a matter of conscious choice, and discipline." The Jones Leadership Academy embodies this philosophy, providing participants with the tools and support to make those conscious choices and develop the discipline required for success.
CEO Jonathan Jones emphasized the importance of talent curation in the growth of the organization, stating, "As talent curators, our role is to cultivate an environment that fosters the right culture, ethics, competency, and desire for personal growth. When we successfully align these elements, individuals require minimal guidance to excel.” This focus on identifying and nurturing the right individuals is at the core of the academy's mission.
The impact of the academy extends far beyond the classroom. John Byron from FV Recycling shared, "The greatest benefit has been learning from this remarkable group of like-minded, leadership-focused participants who consistently support one another. Their collective insights and passion for growth have been truly transformative.”
Kelsey Hester from TRU Solutions echoed this sentiment, stating, "This opportunity facilitated valuable interactions with individuals I wouldn't have otherwise met. Building these connections and adding them to my network will be pivotal for my future growth and success.”
For Bryant Baucum from Jones Logistics, the experience was transformative on a personal level. "This humbling experience revealed blind spots in my leadership abilities and provided the tools to address them, reminding me that continuous learning is essential, even in leadership positions where one is expected to have all the answers.”
Micah Pogue from Jones Capital highlighted the academy's unique approach to leadership development, noting, "This experience introduced me to the transformative concept of working both on and in the business - a mindset deeply ingrained in the culture here. By taking a step back from daily operations to focus on personal and professional development, we can significantly enhance our future performance and success."
Congratulations JLA Class of 2024!
Jones Leadership Academy (JLA) was founded in 2012 as an experiential talent development program exclusive for Jones employees who are ON FIRE! Each session is carefully curated exclusively for Jones and focuses on leadership development, team building, and problem-solving. Today, there are over 163 JLA alumni!