Organizational Development Consultant and Leadership Coach

The Elements of Decision Making

May 8, 2023

“I’d like to think that people make decisions rationally, but it seems more complicated than that.  What do I need to know?”

When I joined Gemini Consulting in 1995 (now Capgemini) I learned tons of tools and strategies to enable transformational change.  One of the many I still use repeatedly is the model of the Rational, Political and Emotional reactions to change and decision making.  Below are two .ppt slides from many years ago* but still pertinent today.

There is often a belief that people react to a situation in a rational manner, i.e., based on the Continue reading

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12 ways my dear husband’s dementia has taught me to be a better consultant

May 25, 2022

It was this day in 2010 that my husband, Richard was diagnosed with Parkinson.  We thought everything would be ok,  just a little tremor.  Ha!  It was an adventure full of love, drama, joy, gratitude, pain and grief. Richard passed away in March of 2017.   In honor of the milestones and memories,  I repost 12 ways my dear husband’s dementia has taught me to be a better consultant which was first published in June, 2015.

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I am an organizational development consultant specializing in transformational change. I’m also the wife of my Continue reading

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9 Trends That Will Shape Work in 2021 and Beyond

January 24, 2021

As an organizational development consultant, I think in systems and look for trends that will impact short and long term organizational success.  This Harvard Business Review article provides excellent observations that I find helpful in working with my clients on their most pressing strategic issues. 

Executive Summary:

While 2020 was the most volatile year in modern history, it would be a mistake to think that we’re in for smoother sailing this year. In fact, as we move into 2021 and beyond, the rate of disruption will potentially accelerate as the implications from 2020 play out across the next Continue reading

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Grieving and Post-Traumatic Growth

August 9, 2020

The long term consequences of this tumultuous time on individuals, organizations, and communities are not yet known.  Negative experiences can spur positive change, but not always.  The pandemic, systemic injustice and other traumas can give way to post-traumatic growth but not without attention and effort.

Harvard Business Review’s July-August magazine had two excellent articles on grieving and post-traumatic growth.

David Kessler’s article, Helping Your Team Heal, encourages leaders to recognize people’s grief and assist them in finding meaning.  He suggests we think about three groups of people during the pandemic – the worried well, the affected, Continue reading

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Predictable Surprises

March 24, 2020

My colleague Bill Welter, owner of MindPrep Resource Center recently shared the six characteristics of predictable surprises, from the book Predictable Surprises: The Disasters You Should Have Seen Coming and How to Prevent ThemBazerman and Watkins, 2008.

They are:

1. That leaders knew a problem existed and that the problem would not solve itself.

2. Organizational members recognize that a problem is getting worse over time.

3. Fixing the problem would incur significant costs in the present, while the benefit of action would be delayed.

4. (related to 3) Addressing predictable surprises typically require incurring a certain Continue reading

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The role of empathy and experimentation in collaboration

September 8, 2019

Heather Hiscox, co-founder of Pause for Change, has written an excellent article on the role of empathy and experimentation in collaboration.  Her insights are essential for all organizations considering collaborating in new ways, and will significantly increase their levels of success.

https://www.nonprofitcenters.org/roleofempathy

NOTE:

If you would like to receive e-mail notification when I post additional techniques and meeting management related materials, please sign up through this link.   http://eepurl.com/KILan  You may unsubscribe at any time.

You will find my book Mission Critical Meetings: 81 Practical Facilitation Techniques on Amazon. Your feedback and reviews are most welcome.

http://www.amazon.com/Mission-Critical-Meetings-Facilitation-Techniques/dp/1627870377/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1408719109&sr=1-2&keywords=Mission+Critical+Meetings

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The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters

April 15, 2019

I highly recommend The Art of Gathering:  How We Meet and Why It Matters by Priya Parker.  I know a lot about planning and facilitating meetings, but learned so much more by reading this book. Whether you run business meetings, are involved in non-profit events, or hold parties at your home, this book will give you insights to up your game.

https://www.amazon.com/Art-Gathering-How-Meet-Matters/dp/1594634920/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=gathering+book+of+meetings&qid=1555237488&s=books&sr=1-1

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NOTE:

If you would like to receive e-mail notification when I post additional techniques and meeting management related materials, please sign up through this link.   http://eepurl.com/KILan  You may unsubscribe at any time. Continue reading

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What my 10 month old godson reminds me about success

April 16, 2018

My dear godson, Noah is learning how to walk.  And so far, he’s pretty crap at it.

He falls and falls and falls.  But he keeps trying and becomes more proficient every day.  He doesn’t think to himself “Darn, this walking is tough and is taking a long time. Every time I try, I fall down. And sometimes that hurts.  I’ll never make it.  I am doomed to a life of crawling.  I’m going to give up before it gets embarrassing.”

Heck no.  Not this baby.  Not any baby.

He smiles with Continue reading

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Back by popular demand: How and when to use Transformation Maps

January 31, 2018

“My leadership team and I have a pretty clear idea of where we want to be in the next 5 years, but don’t know exactly how to get there. There are so many issues and improvements to address. It’s hard to get our heads around them. What suggestions do you have?”

What is a Transformation Map?

A Transformation Map is a one page visual depiction of the plan for implementing a strategy or goal. It describes the major results, actions and milestones required to achieve your strategic goal, along with the expected timing of each of them. It Continue reading

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Back by popular demand: The What, When and How of Project Charters

January 12, 2018

“I’ve been asked to lead a change project within my company, but I’m not really sure what is expected. What should I do?”

What is a Project Charter?

A Project Charter is a one page document that describes the new project’s:

  • Objectives
  • Measures and targets – both financial and non-financial
  • Deliverables
  • Assumptions re: support requirements, risks, inter-dependencies, etc.
  • The Project Sponsor (the leader ultimately accountable for the project’s success) the Project Manager (the person who leads the project on a day-to-day basis), and Team Members (people assigned to the project either full or part time), and the time required for Continue reading
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