When people ask me what I do, I often respond with, “I am an organizational shrink.” There might be those who give me pushback for this statement. I mean, I am not a Ph.D. That said, I have lots of on-the-job training.

Over the course of my 20-year career as an organizational change consultant, I have helped countless groups work through their conflicts. I have mediated angry exchanges between managers and employees. I have borne the brunt of a new policy by listening to a group of disgruntled managers complain. Why, I once prevented a fist fight in a room full of union employees!

These experiences have helped me earn my stripes as a consultant. When clients contact me, they can expect to work with someone who has a deep understanding of organizational culture and how groups behave. 

How do I help groups work through their tough issues?  

• I function on the assumption that everybody is doing the best they can.
• I have ground rules in place such as “Listen to understand. You don’t have to agree”; and I strictly enforce them.
• I believe that no one has a monopoly on the truth. This helps me not take sides.
• I remain emotionally neutral.
• I listen deeply. Sometimes people just need a safe place to vent.
• I take a lot of deep breaths and pray to my higher power, “Help me find the right words. Help me be what they need.”

This can be emotionally taxing but it is also rewarding. I have an excellent track record at helping groups work through the issues that undermine their ability to work together.

 

It’s time well spent to nip these conflicts in the bud and be proactive. It makes a huge statement that your people count. So, give me a call and let’s talk about what is going on. I do the intake calls for free.

 

Your workforce will thank you!