VOL. 09 | ISSUE 3 | Fall 2026
A Foundation for
Better Leadership
The Cycle of Leadership Provides Practical
Tools Leaders Can Use Every Day
Leadership isn’t built through a single training course. It’s shaped through everyday decisions, conversations and opportunities to grow.
That’s the thinking behind Cycle of Leadership – a simple, practical framework now helping leaders in the United States guide teams, develop employees and drive results.
The framework was developed at Cerro Verde, where leaders have used and refined it for nearly a decade. Based on their results, the company has adopted the Cycle of Leadership to create a shared approach to leadership and connect learning experiences under one clear structure.
“We weren’t looking for another leadership program, but rather a framework that could bring a shared mindset and common language to help our people lead with intention,” Michelle Lutz, Senior Director-Workforce Development. “The Cycle of Leadership does that by providing practical tools leaders can use every day to keep employees safe, skilled and aligned.”
The framework is built around five elements: Vision and Purpose, Define Expectations, Coach and Mentor, Follow-up and Accountability. Together, they provide a simple approach leaders can use every day to communicate expectations, support development and strengthen accountability.
At its core, the Cycle of Leadership helps leaders create clarity. It reinforces the importance of making sure every team member understands their role, knows how their work contributes to the bigger picture and has a clear vision of where the team is headed.
“The Cycle of Leadership has been successful at Cerro Verde because we built a strong foundation around five core leadership principles and applied them across all levels of the company,” said Derek Cooke, President-South America. “It took time and repetition, but once that foundation was established and everyone was speaking the same language, it became easier to build on it. With the fundamentals in place, we can continue adding new leadership tools that help us adapt and grow.”
“We weren’t looking for another leadership program, but rather a framework that could bring a shared mindset and common language to help our people lead with intention.”
MICHELLE LUTZ | SENIOR DIRECTOR-WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
To date, more than 1,400 site leaders in the U.S. have already participated in workshops and learning opportunities focused on the Cycle of Leadership and its application in day-to-day work. Corporate employees will participate next, with all leaders expected to become familiar with the framework by year-end.
As it becomes more visible in professional development opportunities, employees will begin to see these elements reflected in learning experiences, development conversations and leadership resources.
The goal is simple: Create a consistent foundation that supports growth at every stage of a career while reinforcing the leadership behaviors that drive our success.
“When we build a clear, simple foundation, leadership becomes more relatable, easier to understand and, most importantly, easier to put into practice. The Cycle of Leadership helps anchor us in a consistent set of principles that can endure and guide us over time,” said Amy Sexton, Vice President-Operational Excellence.
“The Cycle of Leadership has been successful at Cerro Verde because we built a strong foundation around five core leadership principles and applied them across all levels of the company.”
DEREK COOKE | PRESIDENT-SOUTH AMERICA