There's an energy that comes with the decision to invest in strategic planning. Leaders are excited. The team is ready to come together. Everyone wants to get in the room,... read more →
The single biggest factor in whether a facilitated session produces breakthrough thinking or surface-level discussion is the quality of the questions. Not the facilitator's energy. Not the room setup. Not... read more →
Most facilitators are trained to manage conflict. The better goal is to read it. Not all conflict in a facilitated session is a problem. Some of it is exactly what... read more →
Every year, leadership teams invest real time and energy into strategic planning — retreats, interviews, stakeholder input, late nights refining language. Then the plan gets finalized, formatted, and distributed. And... read more →
Most every organization has done a SWOT analysis at least one. Most have done it badly. The typical approach: someone puts four quadrants on a whiteboard, the team shouts out... read more →
Every team has the person who dominates. The one who won't speak up. The two who keep clashing. And usually, nobody can quite explain why. After more than 15 years... read more →
Stakeholder interviews are one of the most valuable steps in a strategic planning process. What often gets less attention — and matters just as much — is what a skilled... read more →
The discussion has been productive. Perspectives are on the table. The group has explored the topic thoroughly. And now someone needs to call for a decision. This is one of... read more →
When you ask a room of 20 people "does everyone agree?" you get head nods. When you ask the same group to vote anonymously, you get the truth. That gap... read more →
A leadership offsite is one of the most expensive meetings your organization will hold. Travel, venue, facilitator, and the opportunity cost of pulling your senior team away from operations for... read more →