Forward Thinking
Welcome to Forward Thinking, where we explore the ideas, insights, and strategies shaping the future of leadership, organizational change, and culture. This is where we share what we’re learning in the field—what’s working, what’s shifting, and what leaders need to be paying attention to. Grounded in practice and informed by research, our posts are designed to help you think more critically, act more intentionally, and lead more effectively in times of change.
Leading a Meeting Revolution: Cultivating a Healthy Meeting Culture in Your Organization
Bad meetings drain energy and time. Good meetings drive success. But why is the gap between the two so wide? This post introduces the "3 C’s" framework for leading a Meeting Revolution, offering practical insights on Cadence, Content, and Culture to transform how your organization collaborates.
Working Across Time Zones Without Losing Your Momentum
Working on a distributed team means mastering the mental gymnastics of scheduling and the art of asynchronous collaboration. This post offers a guide to navigating the challenges of time zones with the right mindset, a few good tools, and a healthy dose of humor.
Fun at Work is Serious Business
I take fun very seriously. This post argues that authentic fun isn't frivolous; it’s an essential, intentional practice that fosters a healthy, resilient, and connected workplace. We explore different types of fun and how to cultivate them as a strategic leader.
Thinking Out Loud with AI (Using AI as a Thought Partner)
Leadership demands decisive yet evolving thought, but where do you go with raw, incomplete ideas? Discover how leaders are making a quiet shift: treating AI as a nonjudgmental thought partner to prototype strategy, test communication, clarify complexity, and accelerate their thinking process.
Leveraging CliftonStrengths as a Manager
What if your team's perceived weaknesses are actually hidden strengths? This post shares a personal journey of skepticism to belief in CliftonStrengths, revealing how understanding individual talents can transform management, delegation, and team dynamics for greater empathy and productivity.
Rethinking Team Dynamics with Personality Insights
Personality assessments are more than just a fun exercise - they're a powerful tool to overcome the fundamental attribution error, our tendency to misinterpret others' behaviors. Learn how these insights foster empathy, reduce friction, and build stronger, more understanding teams.
“No Surprises” Isn’t a Strategy: How Leaders Can Be More Clear Without Micromanaging
The phrase "I don’t like surprises" is common in leadership, but it often creates more problems than it solves. This post explores why vague expectations lead to stress and miscommunication, offering actionable strategies for leaders to create clear communication pathways that empower teams and build trust.
Group vs. Team Coaching - Two Powerful Paths to Progress
Coaching comes in many forms, and two powerful options for collective growth are group coaching and team coaching. While both leverage shared experience, their focus differs significantly: individual development versus enhancing collective performance. This post clarifies the distinctions and explains which might be right for you or your organization.
Managing Up Is a Bridge Worth Building
“Managing up” gets a bad rap—but it’s a critical leadership skill. This post explores how to clarify, translate, and challenge upward with intention, so you can lead across and up the org chart with confidence (not flattery).
The Power of the Peer: Why Group Coaching Amplifies Transformation
What makes group coaching so powerful? It's more than just a gathering—it's a dynamic, peer-driven space for growth. This post explores how learning through others' stories, sharing your own, and showing up in community can accelerate transformation in ways solo work can’t.
Mission, Vision, Values: Time for a Tune-Up?
Many organizations are charging ahead with big goals—but still clinging to outdated mission, vision, and values (MVV) statements. In this post, we explore when and how to refresh your MVV so it actually supports your strategy and aligns your team.
Escaping the Tactical Trap: Getting Out of the Weeds and Back into Leadership
Being busy doesn’t always mean you’re leading. In this blog, we explore the tactical trap—how high-achieving leaders get stuck in execution, why it feels satisfying, and how to shift back into intentional, strategic leadership. Includes five steps to get out of the weeds and lead with clarity.
Plan Now for a Successful Summer Retreat
Thinking about a summer retreat for your team? Don’t wait until vacation season to start planning! From setting a clear purpose to nailing logistics, we’re sharing expert insights on designing a retreat that’s actually impactful—not just another meeting in a different location. Read our latest blog to learn how to make your retreat a success.
Reflections from NASPA
Conferences like NASPA are full - of ideas, conversations, and the occasional long coffee line. This year, our CEO and Founder presented four sessions on leading change with intention, from coaching-driven team development to bringing strategic plans to life. Conference highlights also happened in the hallways, in quick check-ins, and in hearing how our work continues to shape teams. Read more about our key NASPA takeaways.
Goal-Getting: A Reading List for Setting and Achieving Goals
Explore our curated reading list featuring three must-read books that turn goal setting into real achievement. Learn practical strategies to bridge the gap between planning and execution -ideal for leaders and teams alike.
Building Capacity for Change Through Roleplay
Discover how immersive roleplay empowers teams to navigate change with empathy and resilience. Learn actionable strategies to transform your organization’s approach to change management.
Rethinking What It Means to Be a High Performer
Is your team’s definition of high performance too narrow? Many of the most valuable contributors aren’t the loudest voices but the quiet problem-solvers who keep everything running. Yet, they’re often overlooked—and even the first to leave. Learn how to recognize, support, and retain these hidden high performers.
Structuring Beneficial 1:1s - A Guide for Supervisors
1:1 meetings can be a game-changer for building trust, boosting engagement, and keeping work on track—when they’re done right. Without structure, they can feel like just another meeting on the calendar. In this post, we’re sharing practical tips to help supervisors run effective 1:1s, from setting a clear purpose to using a standing agenda. Ready to make your 1:1s more meaningful? Let’s dive in.
Retreats Aren’t a Luxury—They’re a Necessity: Reflections from Boulder
After years of helping clients design impactful retreats, we finally planned one for our own team—and it exceeded every expectation. From personal connections to leadership growth, our first-ever retreat wasn’t just about strategy; it was about building trust and celebrating what makes us a team. Read on to see why retreats matter and how this experience is shaping our 2025 vision.
What’s on Your Bookshelf? Curating Reads to Inspire Growth
As 2025 kicks off, many of us are taking stock of our personal and professional aspirations for the year ahead. For book lovers, this often means curating a list of must-reads to inspire growth and spark new ideas.
At transform.forward, we know that the right books can do more than entertain—they can shape the way you lead, think, and approach challenges. Whether you’re building strategies in higher education, leading a corporate team, or navigating organizational change, intentional reading can fuel your growth.
In our latest blog post, we explore:
Why reading strategically matters for leaders and innovators
How books can foster creativity, emotional intelligence, and inclusivity
Five top picks for Q1 of 2025 to inspire professional and personal development
Ready to build your bookshelf for success? Check out our full post and join the conversation about what you’re reading this year!