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CVM helps people in poverty, transition, and homelessness rebuild their lives by connecting them to jobs, housing, information and hope.
CHALLENGE
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Technical staff meetings result in conflict that keeps staff from making decisions effectively.
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Many project details are being duplicated while others neglected.
- General lack of trust among some members of staff.
STRATEGY
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Identify current state of situation through individual interviews, group observation, and discussions with executive director.
- Propose a solution based on the need for learning about decision making styles, improved workplace communication, and clarity of roles and responsibilities.
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Clarify unique roles and responsibilities for each individual beyond job titles and job descriptions.
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Execute interactive training exercises and group activities to improve communication, build trust, promote effective decision making, and foster overall better camaraderie.
SERVICES
- Conflict negotiation
- Training on decision making styles
- Team building
- Leadership coaching
TESTIMONIAL
“Mark was engaged and caring, willing to share his own insights and/or vulnerabilities, and slowly built trust with my staff over the course of the project. When I work with a consultant, I want someone who will both support and critique me so that I can grow…I also want someone who doesn’t claim to have all the answers but is energetic and willing to ‘pull up their sleeves’ to participate in finding some solutions. Mark did all of these things.”
Jennifer Brandon
Executive Director
Boyer Children's Clinic
Boyer Children’s Clinic is a non-profit therapy and early childhood educational facility under the medical direction of a developmental pediatrician, serving children from birth to teen years who have neuromuscular disorders such as cerebral palsy or delay in development.
CHALLENGE
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Previous executive director of 30 years dies suddenly and client is asked to step in as interim executive director, while also being considered for the ED position.
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Client has no previous experience as an executive director, though he has been with the organization for 12 years and has a solid reputation.
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Board president seeks leadership coaching for client to help him gain confidence in public speaking, communicating with board of directors, and promoting Boyer in the surrounding community.
STRATEGY
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Establish an open and honest relationship with client to assess his given strengths and weaknesses with regard to the ED position.
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Jointly create goals that are in line with client’s growing edges for succeeding in new position.
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Provide on-going guidance, direction, and support to help ED (he was appointed to the position during project) with immediate issues as they arise as well as strategic help for reaching longer term objectives.
SERVICES
TESTIMONIAL
”Mark’s guidance as an executive coach was invaluable. The consulting sessions with Mark were focused and goal-oriented, but also allowed time for me to share my personal leadership challenges. Mark is extremely trustworthy and provided critical feedback when appropriate. He brought a wealth of knowledge and resources to our individual sessions – personal connections/introductions with other leaders in the community who faced similar challenges, literature, and recommendations for professional growth courses. I hold Mark in the highest regard and encourage others to work with him. I cannot thank him enough for his support and guidance.”
Michael Stewart
Executive Director
King County Library System
The mission of the King County Library System is to provide free, open and equal access to ideas and information to all members of the community.
CHALLENGE
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Client and his boss have a disagreement with regard to client’s job description, and cannot agree on ways to make it more clear.
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Client and his boss are in conflict such that it prevents them from working together effectively.
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Client requires a better understanding of his own strengths and weaknesses as a manager and how to effectively manage upwards.
STRATEGY
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Meet with both client and his boss separately to separate the presenting problem from what is the underlying issue for the conflict.
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Conduct weekly leadership coaching meetings with client to deal with immediate concerns and strategic issues in order to improve relationship with boss.
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Hold a two-hour conflict resolution meeting with client and boss to better understand and appreciate each others' perspective. Encourage meaningful dialogue to uncover feelings that prevent progress.
SERVICES
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Conflict resolution
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360-degree evaluation
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Leadership coaching
TESTIMONIAL
“Mark’s dedication, professionalism, knowledge, and encouragement were a constant source of positive reinforcement which always managed to keep us focused on the objective. His logical approach to Information Technology Services challenges and his friendly, professional coaching enabled us to establish a solid foundation of incremental successes on which to build. Mark’s methods were effective and served as the motivating force for our department. I highly recommend Mark for coaching and leadership training to Information Technology departments. Mark is definitely very knowledgeable in this ever changing field.”
Behzad Shirinzadeh
Network/Systems and Telecommunications Manager
Social Venture Partners
SVP is a network of accomplished individuals who combine financial contributions and professional skills with a passion for philanthropy. Leveraging our collective expertise and resources, we partner with and strengthen promising nonprofits for maximum community impact.
CHALLENGE
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Rapid staff growth results in unclear roles and responsibilities for many employees.
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Staff meetings are not run optimally and there is a request to make them more effective.
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Staff members are in need of opportunities for bonding and learning to trust one another.
STRATEGY
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Establish a clear understanding of the current state with regard to roles and responsibilities, team meetings and overall camaraderie among staff.
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Develop a job grid that includes all tasks and other items required to run organization. Continue to revise this grid in order to ensure everything is covered and no one is doing too little or too much.
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Provide team building exercises to promote bonding and greater trust.
SERVICES
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Clarification exercise on roles & responsibilities
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Feedback and suggestions to ED with regard to how meetings are led as well as overall management style
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Team building exercises
TESTIMONIAL
“Mark spent time with our staff, helping us better understand our individual and collective strengths and weaknesses. We also translated that into a very productive exercise to better clarify roles and responsibilities for our whole team. He was great to work with.”
Paul Shoemaker
Executive Director
NPower Seattle
NPower Seattle provides comprehensive, high-quality and affordable technology assistance to nonprofits.
CHALLENGE
Manager of Web and Database Services needs assistance to:
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Determine best way to effectively utilize personnel on shifting consulting projects while also provide learning and advancement opportunities.
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Manage pipeline sales opportunities without neglecting current projects.
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Service offerings need to be “productized” in order to sell more effectively.
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Effectively manage upwards, across and downwards throughout the organization.
STRATEGY
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Separate the presenting problems from the actual problems, and help to see the challenge from a systems-wide perspective. For example, client’s boss and the executive director were both in transition during this time.
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Determine strengths and growing edges for client and help nurture further leadership skills to help him effectively manage his team.
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Meet with manager weekly to help execute tactical measures and plan strategic initiatives to help individuals and entire technical group become more productive.
- Provide leadership coaching to help manager manage himself more effectively in working with his direct reports as well as his supervisor and executive director.
SERVICES
TESTIMONIAL
"Mark has provided terrific assistance helping me grow my team and my management skills. He's a quick study, and was able to grasp all of the various moving elements of our work (nonprofit, technology, websites and databases in particular) and help me plan to grow my team and meet our targets."
Patrick Shaw
Manager, Web and Database Services
