Above, Dr. Stephanie with international colleagues, where she advised and spoke at The Inaugural Symposium for the Discovery Program for Global Learners at Okayama University in Japan.
Organizations
Even the most successful individuals and organizations can find themselves at a crossroads. They might be encountering a genuine problem that needs to be solved or be aware of upcoming challenges for which they’d prefer to be better prepared. Call it whatever word is right in your situation—advising, coaching, consulting, or mentoring—I serve in navigating those crossroads with greater ease.
At those “crossroads” times, it is useful to have a well-rounded, effective thinker to serve as a sounding-board and/or to offer input as you consider the pros and cons of different alternatives. Similarly, you can benefit from a creative problem-solver who brings a fresh set of eyes and ears to generate perspective and solutions. That’s me. I bring skills and insights from multiple fields, including leadership and organizational studies.
What Do You Do?
In the past, I’ve collected data, conducted multi-pronged needs assessments, designed and implemented program evaluations, and crunched numbers. Most recently, though, I am asked for advice once the surveys are done and it is time to strategize in response to the data. That works for me as my time is tight.* As is yours. We need to put enough time in to get our work done well and right, but not more than that.
That said, it is often worthwhile to ask my input on interview or survey questions or data pulls in advance, if possible, as how and when questions are asked can make a difference. But there’s usually something good, or something more, that can be understood or done with whatever information you’ve already got. If you have a sense there’s something more or different to do, or you feel overwhelmed with the information you have or the situation you face, I might be able to assist. I’ll read the reports, listen to you with care, consult the literature as appropriate, and synthesize it. Then, in dialogue with you—the leader—and your key lieutenants we’ll discuss any concerns I saw and recommendations I have. Note what I said there: I’ll listen, study up as needed, and then we’ll talk. This is in place of one-sided dictates handed down from on-high “consultants” in tedious written reports that often just add to a leader’s sense of “overwhelm.” In discussion with the leader(s) I can listen again—right then and there—what your hesitations are, if any, to what I see and suggest so we can immediately work through addressing the barriers and benefits. We’ll sort out what needs to shift in the recommendations and/or the implementation plan to make the most promising ones work.
In the end, I’m not deciding for you as outsider, as many consultants might come off. Instead, we team up to use a combination of what you know and what I know—and we can even use what I don’t know, as wise “naive” questions often shake loose years of ingrained habit—to help you decide what your next steps to achieve your goals. You are always at choice.
What Do You Know?
Despite what I explained above, you might say to yourself, “Well, I wonder what she knows about my industry?”
More than you might think at first glance as I’ve got training and/or experience in many domains, even beyond those mentioned on this site. It is true, there are some areas where I have more content expertise than others, as is logically true of all of us. But it is also true that I have a decent familiarity with many fields and organizations either directly myself or through close work with 100s of students over the years as I’ve helped them in my classes identify and solve problems or optimize opportunities in a huge variety of organizations. While my “depth” areas offer me many skills and insights that transfer to other areas, I am also a true “generalist” as I read deeply and widely, and have access to a world-class library to read up even more. For example, I was right in one of my most comfortable “comfort zones” when I was asked to Japan to offer insights as they were developing and launching something new, but I was just as useful when I stepped outside my industry to strategize with a municipal leader to optimize the well-being of the workers and the community during a major, multi-faceted workforce transition. So . . .
I might not be an expert in your particular industry, but that’s fine because:
First, I’m happy to say when I might not be the right fit for you or if you are not a good fit for me. I’ve no interest in wasting my time or yours. And . . .
Second, the frameworks I use apply in all kinds of organizations—assuming people are involved, and they always are! Yes, I’m good with troubleshooting systems and quality control too, but, in reality, almost everything comes back to people in some way. At the root, all organizations are comprised of people—in connection with their work environment, in connection with the other people inside and outside the organization, and in connection with their own attitude and fit in the organization. Whether you consider your organization, some part of it, or your own leadership, as exemplary or troubled, there’s a good chance someone like me can help you discover and solve glitches or take things to the next (or a new) level.
Individuals
As discussed above in considering organizational level problem-solving, organizations are comprised of people. Looking at those people as groups is one level of thinking, but sometimes the focus needs to shift with working with certain individuals at all levels. So whether I’m advising an e-suite (executive level) person in considering organizational change (more like a consultant) or coaching or mentoring an individual at that level or elsewhere in the team, I enjoy helping people be their best selves and find their way and place in an organization. Or find their way or or place in general, as I’ve coached plenty of individuals outside the auspices of their organization too.
Indeed, it’s not uncommon to hear people talk about the “game of life” and the “rat race.” True, life can be a challenge and it can sometimes feel overwhelming. Take heart! We each have various skills and abilities we can bring to that challenge, we are full of untapped potential.
I can help individuals tap into that potential and find out what they really want or need, and define (and take) the steps to get there. Sometimes we are too close to ourselves to see ourselves objectively. It can help to have an advisor, mentor, or coach see you objectively and provide perspective to improve your view of yourself, and your actual performance or satisfaction. Keen observation combined with trust, encouragement, focus, and directed challenges creates a synergy, an “edge” that moves a person toward their personal best.
Remember, though, just because some say life is a “game,” doesn’t mean that’s true or that we have to play it like they do. Just because we might be surrounded by people running in the “rat race,” doesn’t mean we have to do that. A good mentor/coach/advisor helps you stay focused and create balance. This, in turn, leads to less stress and increased fulfillment. It starts with sorting out, together, what you want and how to bridge the gap from where you are to where you want to be. A key, then, is usually taking an ACTION to get there, but it is amazing how often a shift in attitude or perspective can make a meaningful difference too. Speaking of balance, there’s usually one to be struck between making things happen and letting things unfold to arrive at certain results or satisfaction with life, despite any suffering or challenges we encounter.
If you are wondering, I’ve been of service to a range of people. You might want to take a peek at the Testimonials page to get a sense of that. And perhaps the content on other pages in this site will help. In addition to helping people with career or academic matters, I’ve got a wealth of experience that is of value to beauty pageant or scholarship competition participants, especially in regard to interview skills. Why? Because they are all beautiful so the difference between a winner and a runner-up is how they interview. This is true in all industries, of course, so if you are planning interviews or preparing to be interviewed, I have many insights that can help you be more effective.
Should You Go It Alone?
Maybe. Not every organization or individual “needs” a mentor, coach, advisor, or consultant.
They might not benefit ever, nor not at every juncture of their life. Some people or groups do a fine job at every crossroad, on their own.
Others could do better, or could feel better about what they did. Two heads are usually better than one, and it isn’t just additive (1 + 1 = 2), it can be synergistic (1 + 1 = 3).
Others might realize they are better off when they don’t “go it alone” and might say “Well, I have good friends . . . or a parent, a therapist, a spouse, a traditional business consultant . . . aren’t they enough?”
Of course. Maybe. Sure. It depends. Not everyone has a helpful circle or team of people playing different roles in your life. If you do, ask yourself in what domains they assist you and if you are satisfied with their help. If you need more or different from them, sort that out with them. That’s the way to go if you can!
But if you have all these people in your life and yet do still sometimes, or often, feel “alone” in trying to create the life you want, or you find that those who try to “help” really don’t get what it is you want or they have their own ideas about what’s “best” for you, you might benefit from someone new in your corner. Rather than someone who can’t see or hear you clearly due their existing relationship with you, an “outside” person can meet you where you are at and support you in getting to where you wish to be.
Now that person might not be me—I’m busy enough with mentoring, advising, coaching, and consulting in my “day job” that I rarely take on outside clients these days. But you can still reach out to me. I am more flexible in the summer or for the occasional one-off session . . . If I can’t work with you for whatever reason (it isn’t a good time for me or it isn’t a good fit for me or you) I can likely help you find someone who is available and a better fit. :-)
Who Might Benefit?
I’ve addressed this to some degree in the “Organizations” and “Individuals” sections above, but let me expand a bit more.
Put simply, anyone who
wants to experience more satisfaction with what they have
wants to bring more, better, or different situations into their organization or own life somehow
wants to do # 1 or # 2 faster and with less stress
wants to stay focused and on-track
doesn’t love what they do, or isn’t happy with how something is unfolding
is burning or burning out
is constantly short on time
knows they could accomplish great things if they/their org could just overcome some particular obstacle
So, folks like me are hired by individuals or by companies.
Sometimes it is a business owner or executive who has already achieved much, yet wants a new level of satisfaction or success. They’ve gone as far as they can alone and realize that a fresh perspective can help them on the path to the next level. Sometimes it is someone who wants to stand out from their peers, who aim for an edge in how they work with others, or who aim for improved attitude, productivity, or performance.
Sometimes a company hires an advisor/coach for key employees/managers (or teams) for specific goals. Or they may provide this as an incentive or benefit. It makes sense that employees who experience an improved work/life balance, greater clarity or focus, and/or practice better communication skills stand to not only benefit themselves but might increase the company’s morale and bottom line. Providing advising can also serve as a way to retain valuable employees or help those who aren’t fitting in find a better fit within the company or elsewhere.
Depending on what the client wants, I can work with a person on personal and professional goals at the same time . . . or focus on one area. Start wherever you are comfortable . . . you’ll be surprised to see how often the two areas are related.
We don’t have to spin around in the circles in our mind, feeling like we are treading water and getting nowhere. There are ways you can get clear inside, make better decisions, establish clear priorities, take better care of yourself, and communicate more clearly with others.
* Note: My life is currently (and mostly joyously) full. Thus, while I still occasionally speak at an event (see the Speaking page if you are interested in that!), I’m not currently taking new clients—whether organizations or individuals—unless it is summer when I am off-the-clock in my professorial role. (It keeps me pretty busy!) That said, I can fit in various quick meetings like some media interviews or general queries, so if you have a quick question feel free to reach out as you might catch me at a good time when my schedule is more open. Or, if you are so moved, feel free to touch base to explore getting on my schedule for the summer and/or perhaps I can point you to another person or resource. :-)