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.
Curiosity Over Categories: Why Assessments Should Be Conversation Starters, Not Boxes
"Achievers are always on time." "Watch out for the Command themes." While sometimes funny, assessment stereotypes can be reductive. This post explores how to move from "diagnosis" to "conversation," using tools like CliftonStrengths to build empathy and alignment through the power of the "Balancing Question."
When Words Fail, Models Speak - Using LEGO Serious Play (LSP) to Surface Unspoken Dynamics
Most leadership teams leave their retreats with flip charts full of language everyone agreed to and almost no one fully believes. That is not a failure of intelligence or intention. It is a failure of medium. When organizations face genuine complexity, change, or conflict, structured verbal dialogue consistently underperforms, not because people do not have something true to say, but because the conditions of the room make it nearly impossible to say it. LEGO Serious Play (LSP) operates from a different premise. Rather than asking people to find the right words for what they know, it asks them to build it. And what gets built in those rooms is frequently the most honest organizational data available.
lead.forward - Our Framework for Leadership Development
Leadership isn’t a one-size-fits-all workshop; it’s a dynamic capability that flexes across self, team, and system. Without a clear lens, leadership initiatives risk becoming disconnected or generic. Discover the lead.forward framework - our intentional model for designing growth experiences that hit the mark. Learn how the "Look In, Look Around, Look Out" approach provides a scaffold for application that empowers leaders to make a meaningful difference at every level of an organization.
Designing Our Retreat the Way We Ask Our Clients To
What happens when you design a leadership retreat the same way you ask your clients to? In this post, we share how starting with time, rather than topics, reshaped our annual leadership retreat. By framing the experience around looking back, looking forward, and looking at each other, we made intentional tradeoffs that protected clarity, connection, and momentum. This behind-the-scenes look explores the design decisions that turned limited time together into something that actually moved the work forward.
Beyond Slack and Snacks: Building a Remote Culture with TENs
The real issue with remote work isn't the distance; it's the misaligned assumptions. This post introduces the TENs Framework (Traditions, Expectations, Norms) - a blueprint for moving beyond abstract cultural "vibes" to a shared, intentional operating system that drives clarity and high performance.
From Wonder to Tenacity: Leading Change Through the Lens of Working Genius
Every leader has blind spots in how they lead change. This post uses the Working Genius framework to reveal where you thrive and where you may unintentionally stall the change process. Learn to put your genius to work to lead with less friction and more impact.
Culture Isn’t Only Vibes
Many leaders have a brilliant vision for their culture but struggle with the chaotic day-to-day reality. This post introduces the TENs Process (Traditions, Expectations, Norms)—a blueprint for moving beyond abstract cultural "vibes" to a set of living, breathing practices rooted in operational clarity.
Designing Intentional Offsites
An offsite isn't just a meeting with better snacks. It's a powerful opportunity for your team to step out of the day-to-day rhythm and reset, reconnect, and realign. This post offers a glimpse into our framework for creating a truly purposeful team gathering.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Using the Enneagram at Work: A Powerful Tool for Self-Understanding and Team Dynamics
Explore how the Enneagram can transform workplace dynamics by uncovering core motivations and improving communication. Gain actionable insights and discover expert strategies from transform.forward to build a more cohesive team.
Maximizing Team Potential with the CliftonStrengths Team Grid
Your team’s greatest potential isn’t just in individual strengths—it’s in how those strengths come together. The CliftonStrengths Team Strengths Grid provides a clear visual of how your team naturally collaborates, where you might have strengths gaps, and how to work more effectively. Discover how to use this tool to maximize your team’s success.
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.
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.
20 Questions to Guide Your End-of-Year Reflection
As the year winds down, take time to pause and reflect with your team before jumping into 2025. Our 20 questions guide you through celebrating wins, processing challenges, and setting goals for the future. Whether it’s a quick coffee chat or a formal session, these prompts and facilitation tips will help you end the year on a high note and build momentum for the year ahead.