The
Rhode Island
CEO Council
Increasing Business Performance, Economic Growth, and Quality of Life in Rhode Island
All members & non-members participating in any CEO Council meeting or event agree to abide by these principles
Confidentiality—The CEO Council brings chief executives together in a confidential and off-the-record environment where they can candidly discuss strategic challenges and critically important decisions with their peers. Members and prospective-members come together with the understanding that in exchange for their willingness to share their experience and knowledge in confidence, they gain access to the collective wisdom of their peers.
All participants agree that information divulged in all meetings, events, forums, boards, retreats, and personal conversations shall be treated as confidential. We do not ask members to engage in discussions that require members to share highly confidential information (such as trade secrets, proprietary information, or information subject to a non-disclosure agreement), however, we do discuss critical decisions, leadership challenges, and leadership development issues that may be sensitive in nature.
Participants agree to use their own judgment and discretion to determine what information they disclose. However, participants typically feel secure and comfortable discussing their most challenging professional & personal concerns and leadership challenges because of the mutual understanding that at all times their peers will honor the confidentiality of the information discussed.
Non-Judgment—All meeting and event participants agree to honor the principle of sanctuary by listening and responding to their peers without judgment. The most valuable learnings emerge when discussing significant challenges and failures. The trust our members place in each other is too valuable to jeopardize with judgmental or lecturing responses.
A Willingness to Help—All participants agree that they come together with a philosophy that encourages them to ask, “How can we help each other clarify and achieve our visions and goals?”
No Selling or Pitching Members—All participants agree that it is never appropriate to use their access to other chief executives to “pitch” products or services, unless specifically requested. It is acceptable for members to meet outside of The CEO Council meetings & events to share, inquire about, and choose to engage in business relationships. (However, members of each Accel Advisory Board agree to avoid all business engagements that could impact impartiality, confidentiality and/or trust).
Lead at a Higher Level—All CEO Council members agree to strive toward leading at a higher level, defined by Ken Blanchard as “the process of achieving worthwhile results while acting with respect, care, and fairness for the well-being of all involved.”
No Obligation to Follow Advice & Waiver of Liability—All participants acknowledge that The CEO Council is not in the business of offering specific advice or recommendations. Participants make their own decisions and are not required, or under any obligation, to follow any recommendations of any representative, guest speaker, or member of The CEO Council. Therefore, all participants agree that neither The CEO Council nor any of its agents, employees, guest speakers, or members shall be liable to any participant for any advice, information, or recommendations they may receive and choose to act on.