At The Heart of the Matter

Photo Credit: Craig Neal

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"Our undertaking to connect with other human beings in a genuine, meaningful way is what authentic engagement is all about."

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At the Heart of the Matter

Who I am in relationship with others

By Craig Neal, lead Author of The Art of Convening book

Chapter 1

The place to start when we convene meetings, gatherings, and conversations, is with ourselves. If we are to lead into authentic engagement, it is important to be genuine. Knowing who we are as human beings assists us in bringing this genuineness forward. Additionally, our ability to frame, embody and model authentic engagement is improved when we explore how we will be in relationship with others.

We call this first, central Aspect of the Convening Wheel, At the Heart of the Matter.

The purpose of At the Heart of the Matter is to increase our clarity, confidence and sense of belonging so that, come what may, we are able to “hold” others in the safest, most generative container possible. Although personal and internal, this aspect is a powerful touchstone, and precursor, for thoughtful intention and design of our meetings. Some of the exercises in this book will help us get started, or continue to reveal to ourselves who we are, which increases our ability to stay connected and open to our relationships with others.

Principle:Knowing who I am allows me to be in authentic engagement.

Our undertaking to connect with other human beings in a genuine, meaningful way is what authentic engagement is all about. But unless we are willing to reflect on who we are, we don’t give others something real to connect to. Expecting to authentically engage with others when we don’t know ourselves is like believing we can physically grasp a hologram or lean on the mist; it seems as if there’s something there, but when we try it out, we learn differently.

The journey of self-reflection that we begin or continue with this Aspect of the Convening Wheel provides something solid for us and others to connect to.

Essential Questions:

Who am I as a human being?

How will I be in relationship with others?

When we have thoroughly explored these questions, the connection of ourselves in relationship to others makes more sense and tends to flow more naturally. When we practice mindful reminders through reflective practices, whatever they may be, we bring ourselves back to our basic humanity.

These are internal reflections. Whether or not we share our discovery with others is not as important as truthfully addressing these questions for ourselves. Our discovery will be At the Heart of the Matter. The Journaling questions and exercises at the end of the chapter will help focus our internal vision in order to explore these questions.

Through this internal inquiry we have the opportunity to experience the core of who we are and how we will be in relationship with others. When we understand the nature of why we desire to be in relationship with others, our gatherings tend to have an integrity that goes beyond the sole reliance on form and technique. This quality allows for the possibility of authentic connection.

Challenge: Staying Connected

Do we choose to open ourselves to relationships or do we choose to close?

In times of high stress, we can be distracted from our connection to who we are. Convening is the art of gathering and “holding” people, in a safe and generative space, for the sake of an authentic engagement that works for all. We consider each gathering an entry into a relationship with others. Staying authentically connected to others is, ultimately, all about being connected to ourselves. If we are not in touch with ourselves and the core of our intent, how can we maintain a genuine connection to other people?

For more on the Art of Convening book go to http://tinyurl.com/y88b8gft

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A Purpose Moment

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Art of Convening & BK book sale- 40%- through Sunday

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#CreatingAWorldThatWorksForAll #ArtofConvening

Friends,

Our publisher Berrett-Koehler is offering a 40% discount on our Art of Convening book (and ALL BK books) until this Sunday. Great summer reading and just in time for that big meeting or just having that authentic conversation with a friend or loved one. Order here- http://tinyurl.com/y9ug5zrm

Berrett-Koehler and CPL: Creating a World that Works for All!

Enjoy the summer!

Craig & Patricia

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3M’s Cindy Kent on whole person leadership, growth and inclusion in medtech

Edited by Patricia Neal

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...and on her Masters in Divinity and meeting Oprah. Truly inspirational.

Cindy was the opening Conversation Starter for Heartland (now CPL's) 20th Anniversary Celebration last October. She continues to amaze us. She spoke with MassDevice.comPublisher Brian Johnson at the DeviceTalks event in Minnesota recently about her skills as a leader, how she ended up as an ordained minister and the importance of inclusion and mentorship in the workplace. And, how she met Oprah!

Here is an example of amazing mentorship: “Cindy, we see a lot of potential in you, so you take the next five years on us, and you go play, and you go work in as many disciplines and fields as you like, and in five years we’re going to come ask you what you want to do for this company, and we expect an answer.” 

Let me know your thoughts. -Patricia

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A Purpose Moment

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A Purpose Moment

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Millennials and Leadership Development

photo credit: Todd photography

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By Sarah Flores

Entering a new company or organization can be intimidating and invigorating all at the same time. As more and more millennials enter their careers, the workforce will begin to change its usual ways. Employer’s and mentors must progressively welcome and encourage new ideas from the newcomers. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, it is predicted that by 2030 millennials will make up 75% of our workforce.  Although millennials may have a different approach to operations, it is important that we all learn from each other. Millennials bring fresh new ideas, but also seek guidance from leaders to eventually turn themselves into the leaders of an organization or company.

A study conducted by Deloitte, a professional services firm, found that 71% of Millennials that leave within the first 2 years felt their leadership skills were not being fully developed. However, that percentage decreases to 54% for those who stay more than 5 years. This shows not only does supporting leadership development help to retain employees longer but also helps to increase their satisfaction in leadership development. As we look at these numbers, 54% feeling their leadership skills are being underdeveloped is still a concerning number. We as current leaders and mentors must take it upon ourselves to guide the leaders of tomorrow.

The Center For Purposeful Leadership works to help leaders become leaders that listen and make a positive impact on their employees. The workplace is always changing; we are here to help guide and adapt. Check out more insight to Millennials values in the workplace to see how you can incorporate a leadership development plan to grow your employees professional and personal life here: The 2016 Deloitte Millennial Survey.

Follow us on our LinkedIn account and subscribe to our blog to see how CPL is laying the way for leaders of today and tomorrow.

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A Purpose Moment

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Interviewing Craig Neal on Leadership

photo credit: AtomikPhotography

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"I am inspired by people who have gone through enough in their lifetime, a crucible event perhaps, that they are ready to make shifts in their lives."

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Edited by Rachel Harris & Sarah Flores

Craig Neal on Leadership, 2017  

Recently, CPL had an opportunity to sit down with Craig Neal, co-founder of Center for Purposeful Leadership (CPL) formerly Heartland Group. Craig Neal celebrates life as a passionate change leader, publishing executive, author, trainer and executive coach to those called to create profound contributions in their life and work. As an executive coach for over 20 years, Craig assists leaders to integrate their inner calling with maximizing their organizational leadership potential. He also founded the Thought Leader Gatherings (TLG), a membership based leadership community which served over 800 companies and 4000 leaders in its 18 consecutive years of convening. The TLG lead to the Art of Convening training series and eventually to the publishing of the Art of Convening book with his wife and partner Patricia in 2011.                                     

Craig's passion for the wilderness and being among men transforming their lives and personal visions led Craig to create the Men's Wilderness Journeys. These "inventure" trips into the pristine Boundary Waters Canoe Area of Northern Minnesota and Canada combine deep inner exploration with wilderness experience and skills training. Insight into his extensive network and thought leadership can be found at Craig Neal’s LinkedIn or http://centerfpl.blogs.com/artofconvening/. Find the interview here:

CPL: What inspired you to co-found Heartland?

CN: 20 years ago, as publisher of Utne Reader, I had access to a plethora of leading-edge information, I saw and experienced a sea-change occurring in the world. It was the mid-90s, the world was getting smaller due to the rise of multinational corporations, personal access to computers and therefore greater flow of vast amounts of information to individuals. As an early subscriber to the Whole Earth Catalog, I was struck by the cover quote “We are as gods and we might as well get good at it.” on the 1st edition in 1970. What that meant to me then and now, is that, as humans, we have a tremendous opportunity to contribute to and shape a different future than the one I was experiencing.

I realized that leaders are the conduit and organizations a delivery system through which a global renaissance could occur. Where there is a shift in consciousness and how we, as leaders, can lead in a way that brings meaning and purpose to those around us. This could contribute to a world that works for all in my lifetime. What a goal! What an outrageous concept!

CPL: What does a world that works for all look like?

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"CN: People are engaged in meaningful work, at whatever level that is, have enough to eat, are socially and spiritually nourished. We care about one another’s well-being."

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Seeming complex, it is a simple shift in consciousness. From resignation of what is, to the possibility of something bigger and a benefit for all.

So, since leaving Utne and starting CPL, my vision and mission have been to support leaders to awaken their life’s purpose and responsibility, we could be conduits for this new way of thinking and being.

Heartland was formed to serve and support those leaders in transforming themselves and their organizations for the sake of a world that works for all.

CPL: In your varied career, including Publisher of Utne Reader, and then co-founder of Heartland/CPL, you’ve had the opportunity to work with and coach some amazing people spanning many disciplines. Who has inspired or does inspire your leadership?

CN:I am inspired by people who have gone through enough in their lifetime, a crucible event perhaps, that they are ready to make shifts in their lives. There is a humility to when you know you don’t know all the answers, are vulnerable and willing to live with ambiguity, but you are open to possibilities. People who have or are reaffirming their values. Their non-negotiable values.

CPL: As a thought leader and visionary, what captures your attention these days?

CN:I consider myself to be a fellow traveler, just as deeply confounded about what is going on in our world, as anyone else. I AM willing to step forward, to be engaged, accountable and fierce in what I stand for.

We are at an inflection point globally. On the precipice of what Marshall McLuan called a “paradigm shift.” The world, as we know it, is basically in free-fall. The institutions and belief-systems that have carried cultures for so long are under siege.

What is interesting to me are the people who choose fear and the people who choose life and love. What do we choose? Fear or love? There are definite paths for both; that’s what makes life interesting!

CPL: As co-founder of the Thought Leader Gatherings, then Transformational Leaders Collaboratory, you’ve enjoyed 18 years of coaching leaders into their authentic voice. You have worked with some of the brightest minds in the Twin Cities and Bay Area and beyond. You have developed a thought leadership following. Looking into the future, what are some trends on the horizon?

CN:The role of “high tech vs. high touch”, a cultural dichotomy, that first emerged 30 years ago, is now a global challenge in every form of society. How we navigate the speed at which technology is expanding with the skills of human development may be the ultimate frontier for humanity.

Do we see the world as threatening or nurturing? Do we see ourselves resigned to the status quo or what we know, or are we willing to step outside and beyond to live with courage in a new world, where the boundaries have yet to be set?

The questions of Purposeful Leadership, a purposeful life: Who are we? Why are we here? What are we to do? Are we willing to lead?

Leadership isn’t a thing; it is a state of being. Are we willing to step forward in these times to make a difference? Are we willing to be engaged?

CPL: It takes courage to have a vision and courage to found a company. It also takes courage to lead a group of men into the BWCA! How has courage played a role in your position as company co-founder?

CN: To live each day from a core life’s purpose, with the conviction that I am contributing to the best possible evolution to the unfolding of an unknown future, takes courage. I’ve not always felt acknowledged, and at times have felt either ahead or behind the curve. My ego has often taken a hit.  Having a stake in the ground and acting upon what is in my heart, takes I courage. It’s not necessarily comfortable, but it is what gets me up in the morning.

CPL: What else?

CN: I love to work with leaders and organizations that feel they have tried everything to solve their problems and still wish to keep going into unknown territory. This is when it gets interesting. The stakes are high. That is when people are open to possibility, vulnerable and willing to live with ambiguity. This is the work I love.

To see more of Craig’s leadership work, follow us on LinkedIn and subscribe to our blog.

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Help us reach 1000 CPL blog subscribers!

Photo Credit: Craig Neal

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You might notice something different about us—we have updated our brand, website and blog. We are excited to share our new name, CPL, too.

With the beautiful new blog format, however, we lost our list of subscribers. As our valued readers, we need your help to build our list. Help us reach 1000 by July 1, 2017!

Use the Subscribe box to the right  then follow instructions to verify. We don't want you to miss a post! Many thanks!

Do you know someone who would enjoy the blog? Feel free to forward it to them.

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Interview with President of CPL, Patricia Neal, on Leadership

photo credit: AtomikPhotography

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"I am fascinated by inflection points that are the beginning of a new trend. Looking into the future, what are some trends on the horizon?"

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Interviewing Patricia Neal on Leadership

Edited by Rachel Harris and Sarah Flores

CPL had an opportunity to sit down with Patricia Neal, President of the woman-owned Center for Purposeful Leadership (CPL), formerly Heartland Group. Patricia has been coaching and training executives and thought leaders into transformational outcomes for 12 years. She guides leaders in uncovering their authentic leadership and becoming powerfully vulnerable in presenting their transformational journey in a public forum. Leaders who work with Patricia boost their capacity to relate to others, enhance effectiveness for team management and wow audiences with newfound presentation skills. Currently, Patricia is updating her skills via a Conversational Intelligence® for Coaches and Coaching for ROI trainings. Insight into her extensive network and thought leadership can be found at http://centerfpl.blogs.com/

Check out our interview with President of CPL, Patricia Neal, below:

CPL: I understand CPL celebrated its 20th Anniversary with a conference last year. Reflecting on your own business success, who has inspired your leadership?

PN: My husband and partner, of course! Rachel Harris, really runs the place, as she steps forward in her leadership. Our CPL team--fantastic leaders to work with and be inspired by. Then there is Kiki the wonder cat…

I am inspired by leaders who pay attention to whole systems and whole people. Meaning, they hire for the person as a contributor to the whole picture, not just a set of skills. They are contributors to those around them and their communities outside of work. You can tell they are values-driven, inspired-by-life people.

I won't try to list names specifically, because the list numbers in the thousands. I am constantly inspired by the people whose lives intersect with mine.

CPL: As President of a woman-owned business, your to-do list and inboxes are often overflowing. When you have moments to read, what captures your attention these days?

PN: I have a large network of friends and colleagues whom I track because I consider them to be leading-edge thinkers. I watch what they watch. Forbes and HBR regularly catch my eye, but leadership shows up in many non-business settings, so I subscribe to a breadth of online news sources to broaden my perspective. I am fascinated by inflection points that are the beginning of a new trend.

CPL: After 12 years of coaching leaders into their authentic voice, you have worked with some of the brightest minds in the Twin Cities and Bay Area. You have developed a thought leadership following. Looking into the future, what are some trends on the horizon?

PN: Whole-brain, whole-heart leadership: leading to new ways to engage and collaborate for satisfaction and success. Purposeful leadership: Recent research shows that a sense of purpose, not a specific set of characteristics, is the key to successful leadership. Creating thriving cultures: Culture is how people express and define themselves within an organization. Culture defines what is measured. What is measured, matters, but the measurements will change by demand from employees. More than ever, culture will trump strategy. Sustainability: not just of systems and externalities, but of humans inside the systems.

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CPL: You are an incredible networker with over 4,000+ connections on LinkedIn. For people starting out in the workplace, what are some of your expert networking tips?

PN: I am voraciously curious about many things. In person, as an introvert, I’ve learned how to take that curiosity and start a conversation. I ask questions. Then, I try to listen, which is crucial.

Online, I follow and connect with people that interest me in their leadership styles and explorations, and I let them know they interest me.

CPL: You recently began running and competing in triathlons. That takes courage! How has courage played a role in your position as company President?

PN:Choosing a big goal does take courage! Acting on it takes even more courage and self-initiative, but I am always looking for ways to challenge myself and grow. It’s easy to do intellectually, but then, 4 years ago I decided to challenge myself physically and entered the YWCA Women’s Sprint Triathlon with 1200 other aspiring women and girls. It creates an annual stretch goal and benchmark. I created my own training plan of little steps that became longer strides. A 1-minute run turned into 5 minutes, then 20, then 3 miles. I grew my biking and swimming skills the same way. Some days I am tired and facing a wall of resistance, but I know I’m not doing it alone. Then the big day comes, the goal is met, the joy is palpable.

Choosing to co-found CPL (then Heartland) 20 years ago took courage. Choosing to step forward as President six years ago took courage. I then realized that learning to run a business is much the same way as training for the triathlon. The big goals get chunked into incremental, doable pieces. But, just like the triathlon, I’m never doing it alone. Collaborating with a great team is key. The team keeps me inspired and on track. We choose to be mutually accountable, which takes courage and perseverance, but brings great joy when we find and rediscover our groove together.  

To see more of Patricia’s leadership work, follow us on our LinkedIn and subscribe to our blog.

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Help us reach 800 CPL blog subscribers!

Photo Credit: Craig Neal

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You might notice something different about us—we have updated our brand, website and blog. We are excited to share our new name, CPL, too.

With the beautiful new blog format, however, we lost our list of subscribers. As our valued readers, we need your help to build our list. Help us reach 800 by June 1, 2017!

Use the Subscribe box to the below  then follow instructions to verify. We don't want you to miss a post! Many thanks! Do you know someone who would enjoy the blog? Feel free to forward it to them.

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Share the News: Heartland is now CPL

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Hello, we have some news! Heartland is now the Center for Purposeful Leadership (CPL).

Though our name has changed, our values remain the same. At the heart of the matter is purpose. We invite you to join us on this journey into new beginnings.

As we celebrated our 20th year in business, it felt like an auspicious time to evolve to something that calls forth where we began - at the inner life of business. We'd love for you to preview our

new CPL website and read about our solutions

We particularly love our photos and this new blog. While here, feel free to download our new Owning Successes and Setbacks as A Team thought piece. 

On this blog, we will continue sharing current news, case studies and tips to finding shared purpose in leadership. First time visitor? Please subscribe. 

Know this: the deepest satisfaction of our professional lives is to be of service to people like you. Let's be powerful on purpose together.

~ The CPL Team

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Meet Our CPL Blog Writer: Rachel Harris

Photo Credit: Craig Neal

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 Meet Our Writer

Rachel Harris, MA, CSM

An organizational development consultant focusing on change management, business processes and engagement, Rachel empowers leaders to stretch in their capacities. A left- and right-brain thinker, she’s motivated to resolve problems creatively.

A builder by nature, Rachel brings diverse and often disparate groups together with ease. Clients rely on her welcoming nature, steady presence and visionary strengths to realize big picture dreams and maintain the confidence to reach realistic goals. Together, they move from the seemingly impossible to the probable and practical.

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Using Convening to Transform Company Culture (this is a duplicate to the post RH already made in June)

PHoto credit: craig neal

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With family in town, I'm thinking about how to create a positive future for all people, whether their path takes them into the business world or not.  An equitable workplace is on my mind.  I worry that it might not be possible to spark shifts in company cultures that dissolve the glass ceiling and create inclusion for people looking to advance.  And, I hope that such corporate transformations are already happening.  

This is why convening matters. Convening provides a platform for inner and outer work, critical to knowing self as an effective and enduring leader.  

In this important annual conversation - relevant for anyone who is making forward-thinking business decisions, has a daughter or son or knows someone rising through the ranks, Heartland and St. Catherine University will relay how company culture impacts women’s corporate advancement in Minnesota and why having men at the table matters.

June 10th will be a day of rich learning and action-oriented outcomes. We’d love to see you there. Register here.

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Are You Owning Successes and Setbacks as a Team?

Photo Credit: Craig Neal

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"Notice what you are aware of and open to. Be authentic, vulnerable and courageous. This meaningful exchange creates a connected and interdependent team. Enhanced trust and commitment to one another are a result of essential conversation."

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By Rachel Harris

In a global enterprise, owning successes and setbacks as a team are imperative to long-term thriving. But, what if you are operating in the silo mindset? 

One such company, a global media production enterprise, contacted CPL and requested consultation on moving from "Point A: disenfranchised, siloed work groups" to "Point B: connected, trusted and empowered staff" in three months. Sounds impossible, right? 

After mapping out a game plan with a couple courses of action, our client selected a communications and team building virtual Art of Convening training. The training delivered methods to Connect - Engage - Collaborate over seven sessions, with homework and partner pair work. Here's what happened:

In fourteen weeks together, training participants courageously acknowledged patterns of resentment that had perpetuated their inter-continental meetings and media productions. By design, each participant relearned techniques for authentic conversation. The safe space created within the communications training afforded participants holistic access to learning the 9 Steps to Collaboration. Week by week, they renewed their respect and appreciation for each other. The foundation of trust and respect that developed in the training led to collaboration capacities and confidence to align across silos. 

The training was a resounding success and made even more so by the commitment of the CEO, who participated in each of the training sessions. Staff left the training feeling empowered and seeing the collaboration possibilities for their own divisions! Now, two more divisions will launch the Art of Convening communications and team building training in May 2017.

For a peek at one of the communications and team building training secrets to success, we share the following 3 tips for establishing a collaborative team of your own. 

1. Clarify Purpose: Assess current conditions and notice what problem you need to solve.
2. Create Invitation: Who are the key players needed for solving the problem? Choose a timeframe for people to partake in guided conversations. Set clear expectations.
3. Engage in Essential Conversation: Notice what you are aware of and open to. Be authentic, vulnerable and courageous. This meaningful exchange creates a connected and interdependent team. Enhanced trust and commitment to one another are a result of essential conversation.

Finally, the newfound interdependency leads to collaboration. We hope these tips on establishing a collaborative team are helpful. If you would like more information, we are happy to talk with you. Get in touch with Center for Purposeful Leadership, call us at 612-920-3039 or email Rachel Harris.

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Why Uncertain Times Need Certainty of Purpose

Photo credit: Daniel Scotton

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In a new series, Center for Purposeful Leadership provides guest blog posts from our Purpose Fellows. We are pleased to present the first post from renowned purpose coach Richard Leider.

Originally posted on 02/23/2017 at richardleider.com

What are we to do to survive and thrive in this volatile, uncertain, complex, ambiguous environment? (VUCA) The mere fact that we have to ask that question is unsettling. Many of us did not anticipate that we’d be living in that question, daily, at this point in our lives.

We prepared hard for a future we expected. And, yet, when it comes to our work lives today, we find that it’s the end of work as we know it.  Laid off?  Under-employed? Feeling stuck in your current position?  Working worried? This is not how we envisioned that it was going to be.

Growing up, I envisioned that the future was predictable enough. If I studied hard I could obtain the work I wanted in an environment I understood. I would live a successful “good life.”

Our careers today rarely are that certain.

Why the disconnect between what we hoped would happen, and what is actually happening? The answer is simple – a VUCA world requiring new life skills to navigate it.

The way I was taught to think and act works well when the future is predictable. But, not so much in the VUCA world as it is now.

In transition times, we tend to knock any abstract thinking about our work lives as a luxury we cannot afford. The emphasis is to stay employed no matter the personal toll it’s taking on us. It’s pretty scary when you cannot plan and control your destiny, let alone the work you want.

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"In a world where we can no longer be secure or certain, how can we find some sense of certainty? If we want to play in the new work game, as it is now, we have to change our mindset."

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Freedom “to” not “from”

This simple phrase has changed the way I relate to uncertainty.

Freedom is born of awareness. Freedom “to” means awakening to the reality that we can choose for ourselves how we want to interact with the new work world (and the daily VUCA news!)

Freedom “to” means awakening to the truth of what’s happening in both our inner and outer worlds and then acting on what is happening with our own deeper wisdom or our guide.

While everything outside seems to be shifting, what remains unchanging is what we know inside – our core purpose, values, and beliefs.

Freedom “to” means staying fiercely aware and protective of that which is most important to lead a life of substance.

Freedom “to” is about taking back the steering wheel of our lives and refusing to become VUCA’s passenger limping along aimlessly as we hear the daily sirens signaling bad news.

So, how do we wake up from being asleep at the wheel?

Creating Certainty Amid the Uncertainty

Purpose provides the bones for the body of life – the human story. What I observe in my coaching practice is that many people, today, feel increasingly disconnected from a sense of context, meaning, and the greatest human narrative. They speak of being too busy, hurrying too much, and not knowing what their lives are supposed to be about. They are desperate to feel connected to some purposeful certainty, something more lasting than their momentary dramas and distractions. The ceaseless activity creates a feeling of shallowness. Instant and trivial is how it is – the opposite of grounded purposefulness. They hope their real lives will one day have the certainty that real life is supposed to carry, yet, is slipping away.

It’s critical to take hold of the steering wheel. To reflect on life. To consider where we fit into the larger human story and what purpose our individual and shared journeys holds.

The VUCA world can change radically in a short span of time. But what is 100% certain is what’s valuable and important to you. Who are you?  What matters to you? What is “calling” you to be your best self?

So, how do you grab the steering wheel and get started on concrete actions that are consistent with your desires? How do you find core certainty in uncertain times?

The process for planning your future when you can’t really plan looks like this:

Does This Overwhelm You?

How do I know this approach will work?  Because it already has.  The process works “if” you work the process.  After reading this, you probably feel a bit overwhelmed because it seems like a lot of work.

Want to know why you feel this way?  Because it is a lot of work.

Creating your life the way you want so that you feel a sense of certainty from it requires a commitment to yourself to take actions every day.  There are no magic buttons or pills that will get you there.

So my question to you is this…

“Are you willing to do what it takes to create a certain life you love?”

You have two choices…

Choice #1:  You can continue on the path you are on right now.  There is nothing wrong with going this route.  However, this path is very uncertain.

Or…

Choice #2:  You can grab the steering wheel and begin the What Works practices which will help you speed up the process so you can get where you want to go much faster.

Which do you prefer?

Whatever choices you make today will affect where you will be in your life one year from now because it takes that long for you to see the results of your practices!

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Richard, known to his 1 million readers as “The Purpose Coach”, has written ten books, including three bestsellers – THE POWER OF PURPOSE, REPACKING YOUR BAGS, and LIFE REIMAGINED.  He writes about unlocking the power of purpose at richardleider.com.

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We are now Center for Purposeful Leadership!

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Founded as Heartland in 1995, we are now Center for Purposeful Leadership, home to the Art of Convening! Though our name has changed, our values remain the same. At the heart of the matter in convening is purpose. We invite you to join us on this journey into new beginnings.

News: With the new blog, we lost our list of subscribers. We need your help to build our list: please subscribe now to keep getting this great thought leadership!  Please use the Subscribe box to the right  then follow instructions to verify. We don't want you to miss a post! Many thanks!

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How Are Internal Stakeholders and Team Performance Connected?

Photo credit: todd photography

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by Rachel Harris

In a periodic series, we share reports from the field about our work with clients. Recently, a client contacted us for strategy to retain top talent and enhance workplace dynamics. Here is the challenge our client was facing:

For the past few months, a group of senior managers, mostly women, have been meeting to re-organize an internal group of stakeholders. The quandary they were facing was retention of top female talent in a male-dominated workplace. By re-energizing the workforce through a special interest group (SIG) they hoped to curb the exit of female staff. 

This SIG hired Center for Purposeful Leadership (formerly Heartland) to re-focus the mission and vision, design a kick-off meeting and provide convening training. Over a period of five months, the design team met monthly. The SIG leadership team, along with key HR staff, took the Art of Convening workshop to learn effective communications and staff engagement techniques.

After the training, the SIG leadership team applied the meeting design principles to the re-launch kick-off with great effect. The SIG relaunched in March with over 70 people in attendance - double the expected turnout! With the SIG firmly in place and staff reengaged - both men and women - employees are seeing one another in a new light, taking time to collaborate and supporting one another professionally.

The internal stakeholders in the SIG have acted as champions for the organization and teams have transformed.

Looking back on these past months with the client, they benefited from executive coaching and training on more effective meetings, and exceeded their goals and expectations. Now that the SIG is up and running, they have requested a quarterly tune-up. 

You may think of tuning up cars on a periodic basis, but how about teams? Consider tuning up your team or a special interest group. Quarterly trainings and monthly coaching enable staff to embody positive business practice adaptations - for the long term. 

If you would like more information, we are happy to talk with you. Call Center for Purposeful Leadership at 612-920-3039 or email

Rachel Harris

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Reexamine Purpose and Organizational Culture

Photo Credit: Craig Neal

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By Rachel Harris

Periodically, we publish articles and case studies on importance of organizational culture in strategy conversations. Read on for another installment.

Reflecting on your strategic initiative, can you recall a time you were at a cross-roads? You are not alone!

Whether the new strategic initiative is hampered by lack of clarity on company purpose or not, gaining insight into a company's culture has lasting benefits. This is true for any sort of change management initiative - and is often the difference between success and failure. 

Time and time again we've experienced clients frequently mistaking strategy as the underlying problem, when in fact, matching a company's culture to any change initiative is the key to success. We're often called in when there is a pain point, such as when a new program launch is in trouble or a strategic initiative has lost steam. 

When you cannot take the pain of the status quo anymore, give us a jingle at 612-920-3039. Until then, please read these testimonials from our clients for inspiration.

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