The research behind Anchor Relationships includes interviews with experts and exemplars in addition to philosophical and psychological research from the fields of positive psychology, positive organizational design, Self-Determination Theory, and Aristotle’s writings. These resources (and others) provide grounding for Anchor Relationships:

1. Moral Excellence: A Study of How Business Leaders Stay True to Themselves, a study conducted at University of Pennsylvania based on interviews with exemplars who satisfied a 3-part participation criteria: the ability to articulate their values; having served in a leadership role affecting the wellbeing of at least 20 people; and having demonstrated a willingness to put personal or organizational gains at risk to uphold their values.

2. Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics (Book 8) which contains Aristotle’s examination of friendship and its role in human flourishing. Sources include translations of Aristotle’s writings, such as: John M. Cooper’s, “Aristotle on Friendship,” Dale Jacquette’s “Aristotle on the Value of Friendship as a Motivation for Morality,” and Timothy Yoder’s “Aristotle and CS Lewis on the Moral Significance of Friendship.”

3. Relationship Motivation Theory (RMT), one of six sub-theories within Self-Determination Theory addresses the psychological needs required for flourishing relationships: relatedness, autonomy, and competency. Relationships that meet these needs enable people to experience greater wellbeing and emotional stability, psychological growth, social support, and a deep sense of shared trust and satisfaction in their relationship (Deci & Ryan, 2014).

4. In terms of ethical and moral conduct, RMT suggests that increasing empathy and understanding in relationships can strengthen moral reasoning (Pratt, Hollenbeck, & Tubbs, 1997). Additionally, RMT proposes that people's approach to relationships—whether driven by self-interest or mutual care—shapes their moral and ethical choices, particularly in how they cooperate with and show fairness to others (Clark & Mills, 1993).

5. High-Quality Connections and Jane Dutton’s broader research into how positive relationships improve wellbeing and productivity in the workplace.

6. The Center for Positive Leadership at University of Louisville’s definition of “positive leadership” as occurring when individuals inspire others through the exemplary display of virtues relevant to a given situation.

7. Special thanks to Andrew Soren, Ryan Quinn, Ramie Martin-Galijatovic, Ozge Kantas Yorulmazlar, Timothy Yoder, and many others whose support has been invaluable.