I've got questions (lots!) You're the one with the answers.
I try to stick to the things I do well - which mostly involves helping people and organizations find ways to clarify what matters and pursue the impact they want to have, in life, in work, in the world.
Listening. Observation. Inquiry. I've been told these are my sweet spots and I'm pretty committed to doing work that both excites my brain and sits in those sweet spots. In other words, where I'm most likely to be most helpful to you. If it doesn't meet those criteria at the outset, I'll probably pass. Though the portfolio of what I do, and will consider doing, is constantly evolving, there are a few areas of focus where I spend most of my time. More than not, my work is about people - people trying to turn ideas and passion and dedication into impact. I'm a believer that the solutions are yours to arrive at; my job is listen closely and ask the right questions.
You own the answers.
Leadership
Development
Leadership theory and practice are at the heart of pretty much everything I do when it comes to client work. After a lifetime of messaging that leaders are "born not made" - heck, that there is even such thing as a leader to begin with - I've embraced the theory that leadership is a practice, not a role, a title, or the accumulation of power or authority. By practice I mean something that requires risk, failure, regrouping, reflection, and self-awareness. There's no one-size, no easy answer, and no progress without learning. And if it doesn't make the world better, it might be something, but it ain't leadership. My work here looks a lot like coaching, training, and thought partnership, happening in one-on-ones, team gatherings, and full-on seminars.
Culture & Engagement
Knowing and caring about your people, supporting their fulfillment and success, and meeting their needs are make or break cornerstones of successful teams. But it's hard to know what those needs are if you don't first ask and assess - and that's a thing I love to help teams do.
Whether you're a mission-based nonprofit, a public sector team, or a private sector business, taking the right kind of care and giving the right type and amount of attention to your people will make all the difference when it comes to what matters.
Whether what matters to you is impact, efficiency, or productivity, they all rely on an engaged team. How do you know if your team is engaged? There are lots of tools out there, but I'm most fond of Gallup's Q12 - it's based on research and data - and action planning is built into the process.
It's not the lightest of lifts, but it's worth it's weight in gold when it comes to lives, programs, workplaces, and communities made better.
Impact
Strategy
After more than 25 years in the mission-based sector, I've seen a lot of energy, dollars, and other finite resources spent with good intention but little impact. In most cases, the teams I've witnessed struggle in these ways have violated the age old maxim: "Know Thyself."
Too few teams spend too little time (or none at all) articulating who they are, what they believe, how they mean to show up, and what they aspire to achieve or change. Instead, they make a "plan" - call it strategic - and chase their proverbial tails, running tirelessly without a compass, a map, or a destination in mind.
My approach? Start with purpose, identify priorities, then - and only then - make an action plan. Identity first, priorities second, plan third. The latter, though, is only useful when the former's been done well. I call the work Impact Strategy - you can call it strategic planning if you must, just know I likely won't.
I like the OKR (Objectives & Key Results) structure to turn priorities into measurable plans and would be over-the-moon to help your team put them into practice.