Author Archives

Organizations default to their strong suits when they are forced to change. They focus on their content (what they are going to do) and their processes (how they will get the work done). An example of this can be seen right now. Accounts of sexual harassment in Hollywood and the media have prompted Congress to … Continue Reading

We don’t live in an AC world and yet we manage as if we do.  And when I write AC, I am not referring to air conditioning.  AC are two parts of cognitive behavioral therapy:  Activating Event and Consequences.  What’s missing is B or Beliefs.  The underlying concept of cognitive behavioral therapy is our brain … Continue Reading

I was reminded of the “hindsight bias” when I was co-facilitating a session this week. A simple definition of hindsight bias is the age-old expression “hindsight is 20/20.” After the fact, it’s easy to say, “It should have been obvious” or “I knew it all along.” My associate was referencing the hindsight bias and the … Continue Reading

Recently, I had a client tell me how the process of taking the time to think through a job before moving to action made the job go well. He went on to explain that this was not a common occurrence. Of course, I wanted to know why. He offered, “We are not given the time. … Continue Reading

  It’s great to see feel-good videos of transformational work done by organizations. I have seen videos produced both by clients with which I have worked and by other companies. They are informative and inspiring. That said, I find some to be misleading. They capture a workshop and suggest there’s a silver bullet: follow our … Continue Reading

Have you been in the position where you have had to give an employee some negative feedback? If you are like most of us, you dread these conversations. It’s hard to be the bearer of bad news. And yet, if we don’t share this important information in a timely manner and in a way that … Continue Reading

I don’t know if Dave Barry was thinking about organizational culture when he wrote the following, but I believe it’s metaphorical. He writes, “There’s nothing wrong with enjoying looking at the surface of the ocean itself, except that when you finally see what goes on underwater, you realize that you’ve been missing the whole point … Continue Reading

I heard a great example of how positive recognition can create a chain reaction in an organization. A friend told me how much she appreciates the constant recognition she receives. She offered, “My manager takes the time out of her busy day to tell me about something good she sees me doing and she encourages … Continue Reading

I have conducted cultural assessments over the past 18 years. These assessments gather two sets of data: quantitative and qualitative. Whereas organizations love their metrics, I find the more important data set is the qualitative data – the stories, observations and perceptions offered in focus groups and interviews by people who work in the organization. … Continue Reading

A message given at my Quaker Meeting yesterday reminded me of something important:  we need to take time to express gratitude. It’s hard to believe but Flourishing Culture Consultants has been in business for one year!   It’s been a year of incredible growth for me and also a year of blessings.  I have been blessed … Continue Reading