The Human Side

"There is a human side of management that has the capacity to create energy and shape change. By harnessing this energy, we release the inherent power of knowledge and passion that exists in organizations, but is often dormant.

When we begin to recognize organizations as living systems, and when we create environments that respect and nurture the intelligence and good in each person, we can then unleash the true capacity of any organization: human potential." -- hrk

Our President & Founder

I am sometimes asked about my background and how the company got started. I started in communications at Hewlett-Packard, gradually moving into organizational change and development, working on large change project teams as the dedicated communications specialist. One thing good about the role of communications is that you need to understand what is going on before you can communicate, so you learn how things are related and how they work as a whole. This is where my passion as an organizational psychologist first developed--as part of teams attempting to influence change. I like Kurt Lewin's take on change: "If you want to understand something, try changing it." Unfortunately, many organizations try to "do" change without involving those who will be affected, and without using an inclusive approach--usually without much success.

Along the way, I completed a masters in psychology, and worked in psychology as a therapist and a director of client relations. After HP, I began to work as a consultant and coach, working with startups and emerging companies, in both external and internal roles. I soon realized that many companies operated well below their true potential, and many environments failed to nurture the individual and to build strong and vibrant cultures. While developing my consultant and coaching skills, I began to pursue a PhD in organizational psychology, which seemed like a natural blend of my education and past experiences.

I terms of personal development, which I think is important to understand about a person, I practice Zen meditation. I enjoy the process of self awareness and centering, and the inner calm and clarity that unfolds. I find many aspects of Zen practice, such as mindfulness and detachment, to be helpful my executive coaching practice.

People also ask me about organizational psychology, a relatively new field. An organizational psychologist has expertise in both human and organizational behavior. Much like a therapist, organizational psychogists help to uncover what can't be seen by the client, for a variety of reasons. We provide the insight, skills, strategy, and processes needed to ensure that an organization has the ability to achieve its purpose.Clarity around purpose is one of those insights. Whether we work with individuals, groups, or at the organizational level, we work from a whole systems perspective, because this is what we are trying to influence.

The core purpose of Mindshift Consulting is to help organizations develop cultures and environments that allow people to thrive and organizations to prosper. We do this using a process consulting method, among others. An organization is, or should be, people trying to help each other. When you get this right, and align it with the business strategy, you get productivity. Simply put, we help clients improve the way things get done.

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