The beginnings of the Sterling Institute…

A. Justin Sterling founded the Sterling Institute of Relationship in 1979 in Oakland, California.  For over 40 years the Sterling Institute has been dedicated to transforming the quality of people’s relationships. Justin’s visionary philosophy, now widely accepted, was considered radical in 1979.  He sought to define the fundamental differences between men and women, and to find solutions to common relationship and career problems by embracing and honoring these differences.

At that time, Justin’s ideas were in direct conflict with the popular feminist viewpoint that men and women were exactly the same. He believed that fundamental differences exist between men and women. A close examination of Justin’s philosophy reveals his great respect and admiration for women. Justin has always been a champion of equal opportunity and equal rewards for women.

The Sterling Women’s Weekend was born out of Justin’s experiences of counseling highly successful women on their relationships. These women had just penetrated the upper levels of management, a new phenomenon in the early 1980’s. Justin’s understanding of the emotional conflict between high demand corporate environments and romantic life was the inspiration for the Sterling Women’s Weekend. Justin taught women to trust their female instincts and bring them to the workplace instead of subjugating them and adopting male models of behavior. The confidence and self-acceptance that Women’s Weekend graduates received were life-changing and the Sterling Women’s Weekend became an overnight success.

The Sterling Men’s Weekend was created in response to the requests of Sterling Women’s Weekend graduates. The Sterling Men’s Weekend started in 1981, focusing on the changing gender roles of the time and the resulting confusion that men experienced. The Sterling Men’s Weekend brought men back in touch with their abandoned legacy of honor, purpose, and commitment. Graduates gained new self-acceptance, increased their confidence and enthusiasm, and enjoyed much greater satisfaction and success both at home and in their careers.

A. Justin Sterling has written a book, What Really Works with Men, published by Warner Publishing in 1992. In the book, Justin advises women about relationships, mirroring his teachings in the Sterling Women’s Weekend. For anyone seeking a good introduction to the Sterling philosophy, reading What Really Works with Men is a good start.

The Sterling Institute today…

The Sterling Institute of Relationship produces the Sterling Weekends along with other post-graduate seminars and events. Over one hundred thousand people have completed the Sterling Weekends. Much of the post-graduate work is with men and women together and helps integrate the basic philosophy of the Sterling Men’s and Women’s Weekends. The Sterling Institute is comprised of professional staff and volunteers who give their time to make sure the Sterling Weekends and other events are available to friends, family and associates.

The Sterling Institute is currently producing virtual clinics for graduates, as well as those who have yet to attend a Sterling Men’s or Women’s Weekend. These clinics offer the opportunity for graduates to reconnect to their weekend, and for those who have yet to attend a weekend the opportunity to learn more about who we are and what we do. Thousands of men and women have taken advantage of these clinics. The Sterling Institute also produces on-going education that is available to those who have completed a Sterling Men’s or Women’s Weekend. Some of this education is available to those who have yet to attend a weekend.

The Sterling Institute has been involved in community service since 1982. Through its work and the work of Sterling Weekend graduates, thousands of community service projects aiding schools and other organizations have been accomplished.

A message from A. Justin Sterling