J.R. Abbott Construction

You asked for some feedback regarding how your work with Abbott, and me personally, has impacted us.

From the perspective of your work with the company, the investment in time and money has brought returns in many different ways, any of which on their own, are well worth the investment.

Your work has given us a better way to communicate with each other in that we have a common platform from which to work.  When issues arise, it is much, much easier to get them on the table, and to talk through them than it ever has been.  Problems or issues which would have lingered under layers of fear, poor communication, angst, you name it, are now brought to the forefront.  Your work has given us a clear methodology and roadmap to work through very complex issues (like re-designing how the company works) in a way in which everyone felt comfortable working through the various stages of the process, not to mention arriving at a solution mutually agreeable to all.  And I have seen how your work has given several people the confidence and freedom to speak when they otherwise would not have, to try new things, to be in development, and to follow their passion.   In some cases, especially those where people have had the chance to work with you in several programs, the growth of those people, personally and professionally, continues to astound me.   I could go on, but let me cut to the chase…  Your work with us has been invaluable!

Your work with me personally has had an impact on me that I never expected would, or could occur.  As you may recall, I did not dive in head first at the start.  More like a reluctant, and tentative “toe dip”.  But, am I ever glad I ended up jumping in.  The Heart of Leadership classes has given me a base from which to live my life with much more clarity than ever before.  I understand what I stand for, and what is important to me, and without doing the work with you, I likely would not have stopped to figure that out.  That alone, is worth the cost of the program, in time and dollars invested, a hundred times over.   I am much more comfortable in my role at work.  Thus my abilities to be a leader, especially in these times, and my ability to enter into the really difficult conversations has improved dramatically.  Before my work with you, I would do everything possible to avoid a really difficult conversation.  Now I actually look forward to them, because I truly believe that something good, or an improvement will come out of those conversations.   It does not always work out that way, but more often than not, it does.  I believe that I am in the fairly early stages of development, and the impacts I am already feeling are really significant.  I am excited, and a little scared, to continue to explore the pathways of the developmental work I have done with you. 

There is rarely a day that goes by that I am not struck by something good that has come as a result of our, and my, work with you.

Thank you for everything,

Love,

John

John P. McGowan

President

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“The first course I took was the Heart of Leadership and it provided essential tools that have allowed me to have a more fulfilling personal life and to become a better leader. The course enabled me to focus and understand who I truly am at my core and gave me the tools to live my life as I was meant to live; even in the craziness of daily life.   I believe I have become a better leader by the pure nature of learning to be true to myself on a daily basis and the skill of deep listening that I acquired at the HOL.

At the second course I took, Art of Developing Others, I did learn there is an art to coaching and if you let other people follow their own journey that the results can be extraordinary.  My leadership style has always been direct and solution oriented and through this course I came to realize how limiting that style can be.  By listening at a deep level and asking more questions, instead of spouting out solutions, it allows a true collaboration with creative ideas and true commitment by all parties.

Also on a very personal level, The Art of Developing Others had a profound impact on me.  I went on a deep journey of realizing emotional traps that I fall into today are a result of the role I felt I needed to play growing up.  I learned this role is not bad or good and it served its purpose back then, but may not have any purpose today.”   

- Wendy Newman, Vice President

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Number 1:

“In short, working with Amba has been about access.  Access to a part of myself that desired to be seen.  Just like a concrete stone waiting to be carved into a bust, or an ice sculpture waiting for the artists hand to carve out the hidden treasure.  Don’t get me wrong, it isn’t like Amba waves her magic wand and the curtain is drawn and the mystery is “revealed”.  It takes work, a lot of work.  The kind of work that is rewarding.  I think the ultimate goal is to be in service to one’s self, and that is the distinction that I have gleamed.  Amba polishes the telescope lens, and I look through to the miracles on the other side.”

Number 2:

“The depth of the human psyche and its capacity to be alive in our society, friends, family, relationships, sons, daughters, coworkers, they all benefit from the work that Amba guides us into.  I feel like I have stepped into my own shoes, and the people around me see me, in some ways for the first time.  Amba is a guide for each of us as we pilgrimage to the top of the mountain.  Using the distinctions I learned as developmental tools, the pathways to building connections and relationships, it manifests a path on the way to the summit of that mountain.”

Number 3:

“Working with Amba has been enlightening.  She has helped and facilitated the pathways for opening new avenues of communication with my family, wife, son.  In a professional arena, I find myself leading and effecting the healing process with broken relationships in the office.  Projects that have come to a halt, coworkers that have had difficulty working together, especially communicating.  I especially find it easy to speak to people that are truly at stake for making changes in their lives.  They gravitate to me, and I to them, like never before.  I feel I have the distinctions to be a good listener for these people and offer myself to be in service to them and their community.”

- Pete Ophoven, IT Director

 

Since the week following the first part of HOL, I have been working out of a major architecture firm’s office as part of a major design build competition.  Normally, I would have shied away from taking on that kind of work, since it is out of my comfort zone.  But since HOL, I have had this sense of calmness in public settings that I haven’t really had before in my life.  I have been able to excel in this new setting, have tough conversations with tough personalities on the team, getting the best out of those conversations (for both parties) by just listening with empathy, and I feel like I’ve positively contributed to the general attitude of the team. 

I have also had some great conversations with my wife where we have tried, with success, to “redraw” our trust and honesty boundary in how we converse with each other and it feels like we’re on the same page again, which is great.  We can be honest with each other and know that the other person will supportive no matter what.

I am interested in some more tools that we can use in the work place for leadership.  Construction has some really difficult personalities in it and it helps to have as many ways to deal with people in our leadership toolbox as possible.

My intentions have been able to be fulfilled on a regular basis since we last met.  I have been able to recognize different situations and what I would have done in the past.  I can apply my “stands” and values to those situations and come out in a better way than what I would’ve previously done before the class.  I think the hardest part will be constantly monitoring my actions and how I’m feeling inside with what I know I should be doing, instead of what I used to be comfortable doing.

Paul Churchill

Project Manager

JRAbbott Construction

 

I am amazed at how I have really started to “hear” what people are trying to say to me. It was so easy for me to talk over others and “finish their thoughts”.  I never realized how I would stifle their ability to communicate with me. By delaying my response for just a few seconds I am now able to glean a wealth of useful information from those around me that I could not gain before. Thus, I am slowly freeing myself from a strangling control over my co-workers and am now giving them a sense of empowerment over their decision making. I have also found how easy it is for me to make my own decisions. I am finding a new trust that is translating into positive performance and respect both in the work place and at home.

Now it would be unfair for me to say that I am cured of my old behaviors, but I can see the progress. I know that my personal transformation and the techniques for drawing out the best in those around me will keep developing over time. Just the knowledge of a new dynamic in interpersonal relationships that lies ahead, gives me hope that not only am I going to be a better leader, but that those around me can lead better with me.

I just hope it’s not too late to reach all the people that I have interacted with over these many years. It is hard to convince an individual or even a group of individuals that there is a change in the air, a new era in me. I know I will do my best not to lose heart and be patient with those who see me for what I was and not for who I am becoming. I know that my strength will be tested, but the knowledge that openness and understanding will fuel my resolve to pursue my new course and will help me to overcome my old behaviors and shortcomings.

Thank you both for the wonderful gift you have shared with me and the opportunity to experience one of the highlights in my personal development. I look forward to seeing the both of you soon.

Charlie Behan,

Supervisor

JRAbbott Construction