The Speakers Group

Speakers Bureau, Motivational Keynote Speakers, Speaker Marketing

  • Book A Speaker
    • Top Kickoff Speakers for 2025
    • Top Resilience Speakers for 2025
    • Columbus Keynote Speakers
    • Nashville Keynote Speakers
    • Chicago Keynote Speakers
    • Cincinnati Keynote Speakers
  • Are You A Speaker?
  • Blog
  • Contact
    • About

The Leadership Challenge Comes to Life in Robert Thompson’s “The Offsite”

By TSG

Perhaps you’re familiar with The Leadership Challenge by Jim Kouzes and Barry Posner. Recently released in its 4th edition, the book has been called “the most trusted resource on becoming a leader” and continues to be a bestseller after twenty years in print.

Inspired by this leadership classic and new on bookshelves this year is The Offsite: A Leadership Challenge Fable by Robert Thompson, a long-time master facilitator of The Leadership Challenge workshops. From the publisher:

Drawing on the leadership theories in the management classic The Leadership Challenge, Robert Thompson effortlessly incorporates these ideas into a fable of leadership and growth. Based on a company’s three-day offsite meeting, we follow this tale of transition through the eyes of two former rival pharmaceutical companies creating a joint sales strategy. The characters ultimately learn how to adopt The Five Practices that form the Leadership Challenge:

  • Model the Way
  • Inspire a Shared Vision
  • Challenge the Process
  • Enable Others to Act
  • Encourage the Heart

The book also explores and addresses the fears and concerns participants may have especially around 360 degree feedback, the key component of the Leadership Challenge model and workshops.

For anyone preparing to attend a leadership training off-site, leadership developers, program planners, or for professionals looking to hone their leadership skills, this book will be an invaluable resource and a succinct introduction or refresher to The Leadership Challenge.

Whether you’re involved in leadership, planning off-site meetings, or both, The Offsite is a fun read in the vain of many of today’s popular business fables written by authors such as Ken Blanchard and Patrick Lencioni.

And if you do organize off-site meetings for your organization, you may be interested in knowing that Robert has also crafted a new keynote presentation based on The Offsite which presents the famous Five Practices of the Leadership Challenge in the form of “Robert’s Rules” for leadership:

  1. Show up (Model the way)
  2. Speak up (Inspire a shared vision)
  3. Step up (Challenge the process)
  4. Serve up (Enable others to act and encourage the heart)

Listen to Robert during this interview with Shawn Ellis, founder of The Speakers Group:

[powerpress]

Bringing to life some of the key characters from his book, Robert’s keynote presentation is dynamic and engaging and sure to make an impact on your attendees. For more information, view Robert Thompson’s speaker profile on The Speakers Group web site or contact The Speakers Group at (615) 526-6600.

Filed Under: Blog, Podcast Tagged With: barry posner, Book Review, jim kouzes, leadership challenge keynote, leadership challenge speaker, robert thompson, the leadership challenge, the offsite book, the offsite leadership challenge fable

Keyword Search

Check Speaker Availability

  • MM slash DD slash YYYY
    It's your booking, your way! You choose if you want the full support of The Speakers Group, or if you prefer to work directly with the speaker.

Our Clients Speak

I’ve had the privilege of working with many great speakers and speakers agencies through the years and my experience with you ranks among the best. You’re never pushy, always friendly, and you make sure every little detail is in place to help me create a successful event. You are a true pro!

Featured Speakers

Amy Jo Martin Renegade Way Keynote Speaker$25,000-40,000Amy Jo MartinAuthor of New York Times Bestseller Renegades Write the Rules, Host of the Why Not Now? Podcast, Transformative Motivational Keynote SpeakerView Speaker
Motivational Keynote Speaker Shawn Ellis$10,000-14,999Shawn EllisThe Keynote Speaker Who Helps Leaders and Teams Adapt & Thrive Through ChangeView Speaker
Olympic Motivational Speaker Shannon Miller$15,000-24,999Shannon MillerMost Decorated Olympic Gymnast in American History and author of It’s Not About Perfect: Competing for My Country and Fighting for My LifeView Speaker

Erik Wahl Artist Keynote Speaker$25,000-40,000Erik WahlKeynote Speaker on Innovation, Creativity & LeadershipView Speaker

The “Elevating Thought Leadership” Blog

  • How to Lead Through Uncertainty: Insights from Top Keynote Speakers
  • Frankie Russo Keynote Speaker Video: Unlocking Limitless Growth in Business and Life
  • Creativity on Stage: Erik Wahl’s Keynote Inspires Innovation and Disruption
  • The Keynote Every Event Needs in 2025: Adapt & Thrive with Shawn Ellis
  • Introducing “Mastering the Moments”: A New Book by The Speakers Group’s Founder, Shawn Ellis

About The Speakers Group

More than a Speakers Bureau — We’re a Connection Platform.
The Speakers Group was founded by a speaker, for speakers. Rather than managing thousands of names, we carefully curate and elevate mission-driven thought leaders. Whether you’re planning an event or growing your speaking brand, we’re here to help you move ideas that matter. [Learn More …]

Let’s Connect

By Phone: (614) 285-6171
By Email: Click Here

Copyright © 2003 - 2025 The Speakers Group Inc. · All rights reserved · Powered by Eugen Oprea