Organizational Development Consultant and Leadership Coach

Inclusive Facilitation for Social Change

August 31, 2023

From fsg.org:https://www.fsg.org

Facilitating inclusive meetings is a vital skill that can transform ordinary gatherings into effective and empowering experiences for everyone involved. Especially when working toward social change, fostering inclusive spaces is essential to ensure that the voices, perspectives, and needs of all individuals are acknowledged and actively included—particularly for voices that are often left out of the decision-making process. By promoting equitable participation, inclusive facilitation cultivates richer conversations and increased collaboration resulting in more effective and comprehensive solutions to advance social impact work.

From strategy workshops to board meetings to focus groups with community members, FSG has collectively 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 Elements of Good Judgement: How to Improve your Decision Making

February 4, 2020

Making sound decisions is core to every leader’s (every human’s) ability to succeed.   This excellent HBR article by Sir Andrew Likierman is a must read.

I love his practical advice and final thoughts: Leaders need many qualities, but underlying them all is good judgement. Those with ambition but no judgement run out of money.  Those with charisma but no judgement lead their followers in the wrong direction. Those with passion but no judgement hurl themselves down the wrong paths. Those with drive but no judgment get up very early to do the wrong things. Sheer luck and factors Continue reading

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Sometimes the best advice comes from children

April 28, 2019

Before I left on my last business trip, I gave my favorite 8 year old a hug and asked her what superpowers she would like to give to me for my travels.  Nevaeh is very clear that she has superpowers and is happy to share them.

She thought for a moment, opened her arms and said “Keep safe, stay warm, and fly through your greatest dreams.”

Fly through your greatest dreams.  Does superpower advice get any better than that?

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Parkinson’s: A Love Story with Dementia for Dessert

November 17, 2018

Many of you know that my dear husband, Richard had Parkinson’s and Lewy body dementia and passed away in March 2017.

I recently wrote a memoir as part of my own healing process. My goal is to help others on their journey with Parkinson’s and Lewy body dementia and to share the idea that love stories come in many forms.

This is not the forum for personal matters, so I will only share information on my new book this one time.

You will find Parkinson’s: A Love Story with Dementia for Dessert on Amazon.  https://www.amazon.com/Parkinsons-Love-Story-Dementia-Dessert-ebook/dp/B07K4RLC2D/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1542135434&sr=8-1&keywords=Parkinson%27s+A+Love+Story+with+Dementia+for+Dessert&dpID=41xS3edPH0L&preST=_SY445_QL70_&dpSrc=srch  Your Continue reading

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The power and importance of questions

August 1, 2018

The Harvard Business Review highlights the importance and power of questions in two recent articles.  I highly recommend them both.

Better Brainstorming suggests we focus on questions, not answers, for breakthrough insights. Better questions can lead to answers that challenge deeply held assumptions, and make it easier to push past biases and venture into unchartered territory.

https://hbr.org/2018/03/better-brainstorming

The Surprising Power of Questions talks about the importance of questioning as a skill to be honed, and as a tool for unlocking value in companies.  It spurs learning and the exchange of ideas, fuels innovation and performance improvement and builds Continue reading

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An atypical story of transformational change

July 28, 2018

Many have noticed the beautiful full moon on Friday, July 27th, but most won’t know its part in this unusual story of transformational change.

I don’t pay much attention to astrology, but I love this article and its story.  Why not take this opportunity to think beyond the way things have been, and be open to new insights and realizations?  Now could be just the right time.  Its worthy of consideration.

http://seattleastrology.org/the-eclipse-that-changed-the-course-of-history-full-moon-eclipse-astrology-july-2018/

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