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When I was about 12 years old, I decided that I wanted to be a priest in the Episcopal Church (where a priest can marry). Looking back now, most of my choices and lucky guesses have been guided by the same qualities as that inspiration: to point out possibility and to pause, reflect, find meaning, grow, and face real challenges head on. I joined a monastery many years ago but left and worked as a writer. That led to a job writing case studies in a boutique consulting firm where learning program design, facilitation, and so much more. For nearly 30 years, I’ve worked with remarkable colleagues to help organizations and their people face challenges and adapt, develop new skills, and grow. Though I’ve spent many years consulting, I have regularly been wooed to join great organizations, such as the Boston Consulting Group, Vistaprint, and MIT where I met and worked with Francine and Kande.
Most satisfying work When people envision a better future for themselves or their organization but aren’t certain yet how to make it a reality – this is the work I like best. While I have methods and tools that can be helpful at times like these, it is satisfying to take on the challenge of not-being-certain with leaders, managers, and teams. I have a lot of respect for those who do it. It takes courage to face the uncertainty, ambiguity, and the sense that it is risky to find a way forward where there isn’t a well-known path. Frequently used theories and tools My working hypotheses:
Certifications and degrees
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John's picks:
BOOKS
Your Body is Your Brain by Amanda Blake
There’s a gap between what we know and what we can do to turn that knowledge into action. Blake shows how to move from awareness to action by tapping into what we know, not just in the head, but in our whole selves. Practicing somatic abilities, leaders can see that gap more clearly and be better equipped to act on their best intentions even under stress.
Felicity by Mary Oliver
The poems written by this Pulitzer prize-winner later in life are full of the joy of sensation, relish in present moment, and freedom from struggle – something to aspire to. Many are so simple you’ll wonder, “Is this a poem?”
Living Beautifully by Pema Chodron
This short book is Chodron’s approach to recognizing, appreciating, and living into uncertainty and change. It is a warm introduction to traditional Buddhist teaching from a 21st century Western practitioner. Even if the Buddhism isn’t for you, uncertainty and change is what we experience and struggle with day by day.
There’s a gap between what we know and what we can do to turn that knowledge into action. Blake shows how to move from awareness to action by tapping into what we know, not just in the head, but in our whole selves. Practicing somatic abilities, leaders can see that gap more clearly and be better equipped to act on their best intentions even under stress.
Felicity by Mary Oliver
The poems written by this Pulitzer prize-winner later in life are full of the joy of sensation, relish in present moment, and freedom from struggle – something to aspire to. Many are so simple you’ll wonder, “Is this a poem?”
Living Beautifully by Pema Chodron
This short book is Chodron’s approach to recognizing, appreciating, and living into uncertainty and change. It is a warm introduction to traditional Buddhist teaching from a 21st century Western practitioner. Even if the Buddhism isn’t for you, uncertainty and change is what we experience and struggle with day by day.
ARTICLES
"Understanding Team Development Processes," by Alexander Caillet and Amy Yeager
Over the years, different approaches have been used to help teams grow and become more capable. In this approach, a team coach brings them together as the team does real work. This article is about how people like me do this work. It may help readers differentiate among approaches that sometimes look or feel similar.
"How Your State of Mind Affects Your Performance" by Alexander Caillet, Jeremy Hirshberg and Stefano Petti
The authors share research among executives who tracked their state of mind – thinking, emotion, feeling – and its effect on them. Two surprises: great excitement or strong positive emotion has a negative impact on performance; asking team members about state of mind can modulate the effect of highs and lows. Learn how the authors applied the research and use it with your team.
Over the years, different approaches have been used to help teams grow and become more capable. In this approach, a team coach brings them together as the team does real work. This article is about how people like me do this work. It may help readers differentiate among approaches that sometimes look or feel similar.
"How Your State of Mind Affects Your Performance" by Alexander Caillet, Jeremy Hirshberg and Stefano Petti
The authors share research among executives who tracked their state of mind – thinking, emotion, feeling – and its effect on them. Two surprises: great excitement or strong positive emotion has a negative impact on performance; asking team members about state of mind can modulate the effect of highs and lows. Learn how the authors applied the research and use it with your team.
