In an environment that is more competitive and global than ever and at a time when customers and shareholders have never been savvier, cycle times shorter, and public pressure for transparency more intense, companies need leaders who can rise to the challenge.

Leadership development has long been a focus of The Ayers Group’s Organizational Effectiveness Consulting practice.  On June 2, we will launch a series of invitational breakfast programs featuring leaders from a variety of fields who will talk about their lives and careers, sharing insights about the evolving role of leadership.  Our first distinguished speaker will be William C. Weldon, Chairman and CEO of Johnson & Johnson.

Johnson & Johnson tied with IBM for first place in Chief Executive magazine’s second annual ranking of Top 20 Companies for Leaders, published in October.  Mr.  Weldon, who became top executive of the 117-year-old company two years ago, is the driver of J&J’s aggressive effort to groom new leaders—a challenge in a decentralized company with more than 200 operating units and over 108,000 employees worldwide.   An exemplar of leadership himself, he recognizes that developing leaders internally is crucial to a company’s ability to compete successfully.