--- title: Leaders-First Leadership and the 9 Touchstones with Jes DeShields description: Jes DeShields, founder of Crescent Leadership, discusses her leadership journey, emphasizing the importance of self-discovery, personal stories, and sustainable growth.  She introduces the concept of 'crescendo' in leadership development, which occurs when the journey builds to a key pivot point or impact point. --- [Anatomy of Leadership ](https://www.teleioscn.org/anatomy-of-leadership) # [Leaders-First Leadership and the 9 Touchstones with Jes DeShields](https://www.teleioscn.org/anatomy-of-leadership/leaders-first-leadership-and-the-9-touchstones-with-jes-deshields) Written by [Chris Comeaux](https://www.teleioscn.org/anatomy-of-leadership/author/chris-comeaux) | Feb 12, 2025 12:35:15 PM Jes DeShields, founder of Crescent Leadership, discusses her leadership journey, emphasizing the importance of self-discovery, personal stories, and sustainable growth.  She introduces the concept of 'crescendo' in leadership development, which occurs when the journey builds to a key pivot point or impact point.   The discussion also covers the significance of integrity in leadership, the balance between confidence and self-reflection, and the leader-first leadership model, which prioritizes leader growth to foster effective organizational change. Then, it delves into the nine touchstones of effective leadership, which are the title of Jes’ book, 9 Leader Touchstones.   These touchstones interact to foster a healthy workplace environment. Some examples of the Touchstones are integrity and authenticity in leadership and the brain science behind empathy, inclusivity, and gratitude. The conversation concludes with reflections on the future of leadership and the importance of creating supportive work environments for the next generation.   [Show Transcript](https://www.teleioscn.org/hubfs/Teleios%20Collaborative%20Network/Documents/TRANSCRIPT%20%20Leaders-First%20Leadership%20and%20the%209%20Touchstones%20with%20Jes%20DeShields%20%20%20%20.pdf)         Our Guest ``` ``` Jes DeShields [Principal Consultant and Founder, Crescent Leadership ](mailto:jes@crescent-leadership.com)[Author, 9 Leader Touchstones](mailto:jes@crescent-leadership.com) [Biography](https://www.teleioscn.org/hubfs/Teleios%20Collaborative%20Network/Documents/About%20Dr.%20Jes%20DeShields%20-%20Speaker%20Bio.pdf) [www.crescent-leadership.com](https://crescent-leadership.com/) [www.9-leader-touchstones.com](https://www.9-leader-touchstones.com/)   [**9 Touchstones **(book)](https://www.amazon.com/Leader-Touchstones-potential-enduring-organization/dp/B0CG2PQ91W/ref=sr_1_1?crid=30TIRFTB5YPIN&keywords=9%20leader%20touchstones&qid=1694485045&sprefix=%2Caps%2C147&sr=8-1)         Our Host ```   ``` [Chris Comeaux](https://www.teleioscn.org/chriscomeaux) [MLAS, CPA](https://www.teleioscn.org/chriscomeaux) [President / CEO of Teleios Collaborative Network and Teleios Consulting Group](https://www.teleioscn.org/chriscomeaux) [Request More Information](mailto:ccomeaux@teleioscn.org) [The Anatomy Of Leadership](https://www.amazon.com/Anatomy-Leadership-What-Do-Leaders/dp/B0CP1H4Q9Z/ref=sr_1_1?crid=13TCTTE4MERHU&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.k8JMNI42KjHquGeyhSi2yVsqgt34wii5hGbTnBxh7y_GjHj071QN20LucGBJIEps.lb1wV3NFqwfao2camDL9e5NU93vuV9f3YVbZrNXuARs&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+anatomy+of+leadership+by+chris+comeaux&qid=1723572559&sprefix=The+Anatomy+Of+Leadership%2Caps%2C85&sr=8-1) **Book On Amazon **       Brain Bookmark         Anatomy Of Leadership Sponsors [www.dragonflyhealth.com](https://dragonflyhealth.com/)     [www.sonapharmacybenefits.com](https://sonapharmacybenefits.com/)     [View full post](https://www.teleioscn.org/anatomy-of-leadership/leaders-first-leadership-and-the-9-touchstones-with-jes-deshields) ```json { "@context" : "http://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Chris Comeaux" }, "dateModified" : "2025-02-12T12:37:38.142Z", "datePublished" : "2025-02-12T12:35:15Z", "headline" : "Leaders-First Leadership and the 9 Touchstones with Jes DeShields", "image" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "height" : 1700, "url" : "https://4731444.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/4731444/Jes%20DeShields_blog%20thumbnail.jpeg", "width" : 2550 }, "mainEntityOfPage" : "https://www.teleioscn.org/anatomy-of-leadership/leaders-first-leadership-and-the-9-touchstones-with-jes-deshields", "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "height" : 60, "url" : "/hs/hsstatic/content_shared_assets/static-1.4092/img/default-amp-logo.png", "width" : 60 }, "name" : "Anatomy of Leadership" } } ```