It’s been an honor to join William in the Wharton classroom for the past few years, and I am thrilled that our Estée Lauder Companies employees will also be able to share in this fantastic learning experience. William’s commitment to thoughtful and principled decision making remains a true inspiration and driving force behind our Company’s success.

As a learning organization, we are always seeking new sources of insight and inspiration. This book contains an abundance of both, in the form of unforgettable stories and foundational lessons. As William and his guest contributors illustrate, the core principles that comprise The Estée Lauder Companies High-Touch Leadership Competencies are universal. I encourage each of our colleagues to read and reflect on the sage wisdom found in this volume and to apply the enclosed leadership checklist to their unique role in our Company.

Every great leader begins as a student of great leadership. This book offers an incredible window into the minds of and decisions made by successful leaders from nearly every industry — including our own William P. Lauder, a leader whose wisdom, insight, and extraordinary passion for learning has inspired generations at The Estée Lauder Companies to not only lead but learn from every chair. I continue to learn from William’s extraordinary example and to benefit from the many valuable lessons contained within these pages.