Great Leaders Prepare for the Unexpected
Leaders understand that conflict happens. Growth happens. Teams change.
You can’t prevent difficulties, but you CAN prevent conflict from turning into a disaster.
Don’t let circumstances spill out of control.
I’ve walked through the wreckage of teams, organizations, and companies after things have gone awry.
Let me work with you to help you become a great leader and prepare for the unexpected.
Great Leaders Prepare for the Unexpected (or, Prepare for Crisis)
Leaders understand that conflict happens. Growth happens. Teams change. We can’t prevent difficulties.
You CAN prevent it from turning into DISASTER.
I’ve walked through the wreckage of teams, organizations and companies when things go awry – and now I work with good leaders to help them get great – and prepare for the unexpected.
Don’t let circumstances spill out of control.
Ready To Take Your Organization to the Next Level?
Coaching
Executives and High Potentials
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For Companies, Agencies and Practitioners
Learn MoreConflict Resolution
Help for organizations in crisis
Learn MoreEmbodiment
Let me train you
Learn MoreCoaching
1-on-1 work with leaders and teams who want to uncover challenges and grow their leadership skills to the next level
Training
Group programs for proactive organizations who want to prevent crisis, or professionals in the industry that want to learn new skills
Speaking
Skills for High Stress Situations, Giving and Receiving Feedback, Creative Disruption, Embodiment and Conflict Analysis
Conflict Resolution
Already in crisis? Whether a dysfunctional dynamic - or formal litigation - there are solutions
Embodiment and Somatics
Ready to rewire your brain and deal with the fight or flight response in your body? Let's talk!
Men's Work
Men have specific trauma - from social conditioning - that can lead to leadership challenges. Work with me to discover a better way.
Approaches Leadership Growth in Unique Ways
Our reactions happen in the body
Embodiment and Somatics are a key part of the work
Somatic skills focus on developing the physical skills necessary to manage more effectively the physiological stress experienced during conflict situations. Body awareness and self-regulation skills, along with mindbody education, help leaders overcome the flight or fight physiology and perform to their potential by focusing breath, posture and vision.
Stephen not only practices conflict resolution and peacemaking in the head, but also in the body. As a black belt in Aikido and a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Stephen walks the talk - and shows leaders how to use these skills in the workplace.
Expert in the Field
Companies, Organizations and Educational Institutions Turn to Stephen
Stephen teaches graduate and undergraduate courses as a professor at George Mason University's Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution.
He's also taught many courses for entities such as the ABA Rule of Law Initiative, the Interagency Alternative Dispute Resolution Working Group, Bahrain Chamber for Dispute Resolution and the University of Waterloo. He regularly speaks for state bar associations, government agencies, and on podcasts and at conferences.
DECADES OF EXPERIENCE
But Someone You Can Have Fun With - as You Grow!
Client Testimonials
Due to the sensitive nature of the type of coaching and other work I do, some names have been changed or redacted.
INTERMIX fashion and Author of Retail Pride"[Stephen’s] calming, intuitive, and honest coaching style created an experience for me that was life-changing. His listening and communication skills are indeed phenomenal, and Stephen's wide-ranging intellect and knowledge base are such that he connects with so many different types of personalities."
Visualities"Stephen is an amazing coach. He is very warm and inviting, and incredibly easy to talk to. His use of noticing how I physically felt around certain discussion points was very helpful to me. He took his time to truly notice "where I was" at any given time during our sessions. I would recommend Stephen as a coach in a heartbeat."
career national security professional and aspiring conflict resolution practitioner"From our very first meeting Stephen has been a readily accessible teacher tremendously committed to supporting his students in and out of the classroom. His versatile approach enables shaping of everyday moments into opportunities to deepen self-awareness and build vital skills. His coaching transitioned me from post-traumatic stress to reflective practitioner."
and North Africa Division of the American Bar
Association Rule of Law Initiative“Stephen gave several conflict analysis and resolution training workshops, and developed a course module on the subject for the American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative. The workshops and module addressed cross-cultural conflict, tools for analyzing conflict and preparing for mediation. Stephen’s work is high quality, and it is a pleasure to work with him.”
Strategic Advisor for US Marine Corps sharing her experience as a mentee mediator"What an awesome experience having you as my co-mediator. I learned so much during those hours and can contribute new insight from the experience. You have phenomenal skills and demonstrate neutral approaches that are especially a style that compliments Marine Corps culture. I will always remember your demonstration. I feel strongly that no other style would have such success with our initiator. Thank you for your patience and time. When we concluded, you spent 9 1/2 hours in this process! What a demonstration of commitment. I hope our paths cross in the future and thank you very much for your professional guidance."
The Most Common Mistake I See Leaders Make (and leads to crisis)
I have spent decades addressing conflict in the workplace. I’ve dealt with hundreds of formal complaints filed against managers from their employees. I’ve seen good leaders make bad choices that ultimately lead to even worse consequences. I intentionally developed a leadership coaching practice just to help these folks.
There is one critical mistake that I see most leaders make, that prevents them from leading effectively and growing their companies.
Get the short report here that details this mistake, how it affects teams, stories on how it can be addressed and more.
