Last week, we had the honor of hosting leaders from The Otherside Academy, including Founder Joseph Grenny, Executive Director Dave Durocher, and Leaders Laura Ostler and Joel Haddock. Their visit was more than a meeting—it was a moment of shared purpose and deep learning.

Our time with Joseph Grenny and the team from The Otherside Academy wasn’t just a visit—it was a Boot-Check Moment. A pause to reflect, realign, and reimagine what’s possible when Truth AND Love walk hand in hand.

The Otherside Academy has built a model of transformation rooted in 200% accountability.

100% to yourself for living out the behaviors your mission requires

100% to your peers for holding each other to those same standards

And its working. In ten years, they’ve had zero acts of violence, zero failed drug tests, and countless lives transformed—from incarceration to entrepreneurship, from addiction to leadership.

They educated us on their influence for creating high-performing teams with imperfect people. Their approach is rooted in influence, not control—and in a radical commitment to accountability. 

Their framework for building culture is simple, but profound:

– Declare the behaviors that reflect your mission and values  

– Ritualize truth-telling through consistent, inclusive practices  

– Demand accountability—not just for actions, but for holding others accountable  

– Cue expectations through shared language, visual reminders, and symbolic rituals  

These principles resonated deeply with us. At the Jae Foundation, we see the power of Truth AND Love in action. We believe that healing, growth, and transformation happen when people are invited to show up fully—imperfect, but committed.

We spent an awesome hour and a half surrounded by friends, colleagues and community members in an extended Boot-Check Moment —a pause to reflect on how we lead, how we listen, and how we love. It reminded us that culture isn’t built by chance; it’s shaped by intentional choices, courageous conversations, and relentless care.

We’re grateful to everyone who joined us for this meaningful exchange. We’d love to hear what inspired you, challenged you, or sparked new ideas.

Together, we continue to build a movement—one rooted in mental health awareness, suicide prevention, and healing for those who have lost loved ones. And we do it by leading with Truth AND Love.