10 Lessons from Peer Networking Meetings at the 2025 NCEO Forum
The NCEO Forum is known for its interactive workshops, but this year's peer networking sessions revealed something even bigger: when employee-owners and their supporters connect, ideas flow fast and lessons stick. Here are 10 takeaways from these sessions.
1. LEADERSHIP STARTS WITH YOU.
The lesson: The Rising Leaders Peer Network launch proved that taking personal ownership and initiative is the foundation for influencing others, title or not. Leadership is a choice you make in how you show up everyday, not a place you sit.
Take action: Identify one leadership skill you want to develop this quarter and practice it daily, regardless of your formal role.
2. TRUST IS HR'S SUPERPOWER
The lesson: The Human Resources (HR) Peer Network reminded us that clarity, honesty, and consistency build culture, especially during times of change.
Take action: Audit your current communication practices and commit to one specific way you'll increase transparency with your team this month.
3. MENTORSHIP IS CULTURE IN ACTION.
The lesson: The Innovative Communication Coalition (ICC) Peer Network demonstrated how mentoring keeps ownership alive across every experience level in your company by creating structured opportunities for knowledge sharing and relationship building between new and seasoned employee-owners.
Take action: Either become a mentor or find one within the next 30 days; ownership culture thrives when knowledge flows both ways.
4. NUMBERS ONLY MATTER IF PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THEM.
The lesson: The Finance Working Group (FWG) Peer Network proved that financial literacy programs can (and should!) be fun, clear, and empowering. They are the foundation for business literacy of every employee-owner.
Take action: Launch one creative financial education initiative this year, whether it's lunch-and-learns, gamified training, or peer teaching sessions. Connect the dots between personal finance and business literacy.
5. CEOS NEED SAFE SPACES, TOO.
The lesson: The CEO Roundtable showcased the power of NCEO's smaller, confidential CEO Peer Network, where leaders engage in structured conversations on leadership, governance, strategy, and culture with a focused mission of turning new ESOPs into companies with thriving ownership cultures.
Take action: Explore joining our CEO Peer Network, where you can share challenges and celebrate wins with others who understand your journey. Every leader deserves a trusted circle of advisors.
6. SERVICE PROVIDERS ARE STRONGER TOGETHER.
The lesson: The Service Providers Peer Network successfully launched with high engagement, lending a collective space for professionals to support each other and their employee-owned company clients.
Take action: Join the conversation by connecting with fellow service providers, sharing your expertise at industry events, and building relationships that strengthen your professional network. Your insights help the entire employee ownership community thrive.
7. SHARED EXPERIENCES ARE THE BEST PRESCRIPTION.
The lesson: The Health Care ESOP Peer Network proved that peer support tackles everything from industry concerns to legislative topics and remote workforce challenges.
Take action: Connect with healthcare providers from different fields (hospitals, home care, therapy practices, etc.), because while your specialties may differ, your shared mission to help others creates powerful common ground for problem-solving.
8. SIZE CREATES UNIQUE STRENGTHS.
The lesson: The Large Workforce Peer Network (1,000+ employees strong) showed that while big companies face complex challenges in culture, workforce, and transformational change, scale also creates opportunities for innovation and impact.
Take action: If you're in a large ESOP, identify one advantage your company size provides and leverage it for positive change this year. Examples include: dedicated employee ownership education teams, transformational change agents, or the resources to pilot innovative and unique benefits.
9. CROSS-POLLINATION SPARKS INNOVATION.
The lesson: Hearing perspectives across roles from CEOs, human resources, finance, service providers, rising leaders, health care companies, and leaders at large companies revealed that we all share similar challenges and successes. We are all part of the employee ownership community, and we can learn from each other through thick and thin
Take action: Schedule a conversation with colleagues from different departments to share insights and break down silos. Let us know what you learn from each other at a future NCEO Peer Network gathering.
10. WE'RE ALL BUILDING THE FUTURE OF EMPLOYEE OWNERSHIP.
The lesson: Each peer network is more than just a meeting; it's a movement to sustain, grow, and strengthen employee ownership together.
Take action: Commit to participating in at least one peer network this year, contributing your unique perspective to the EO community. An NCEO company membership allows you to add an unlimited number of your colleagues to any or all peer networks. Invite new members from your company to future peer network meetings!
Missed Philly? Don't worry! Check out NCEO’s upcoming events for more in-person learning opportunities or find your peer network to jump in and help shape what comes next. The future of employee ownership depends on connections like these.