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To simplify our lives and be closer to our son and grandchild, my wife and I moved to West Lebanon, NH, after 36 years in the house where we raised our sons. Haverhill has many outstanding qualities and wonderful people. The immense beauty and affordable land create potential for more tourism and other businesses. Thank you, Haverhill! You enriched my life in so many ways and I will always be grateful. You can read my full essay, as it appeared in the March 9, 2023 edition of the Bridge Weekly,

 

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It seems like we have two ineffective modes when it comes to difficult conversations – engaging in conflict or avoiding hard topics altogether. In a workplace setting, avoidance may be better than conflict, but it can foster an environment where people who need to work together may steer clear of each other. I recently helped organize a workshop for more than 100 NH state representatives.

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Having lived in Ukraine from 2010 to 2014, this beautiful country is never far from my thoughts these days. Christmas Eve was the ten-month anniversary of the Russian invasion. I was recently interviewed by Roger Wood of InDepthNH about my thoughts on the situation there. You can listen to that interview at https://indepthnh.org/2022/12/17/roger-wood-checks-in-with-expert-on-ukraine/.

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I am always on the lookout for inspiration, and it sometimes appears in unexpected places -- such as insights on life goals and resilience discovered in my physical therapist’s newsletter. I have been impressed with the wisdom of Bill Cioffredi who wrote, “While we strive for success, the satisfaction is tied more to the effort than the outcome.” You can read my full column here.

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Since 2018, Growing Leadership LLC has been working with Super Thin Saws, Inc., a Vermont manufacturer that produces specialized saw blades used by companies around the world. This successful business, founded in 1976, has been looking at ways to grow and increase its organizational efficiency and productivity to benefit owners and employees alike and ensure that the business thrives for many years to come.

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Quiet quitting is a new term for workers who do the minimum required hours, constantly watching the clock. Leaders who communicate a clear vision, manage expectations and priorities, and show that they care about their employees have far fewer quiet quitters on their team. Businesses need to do a better job of measuring employee productivity by output rather that micromanaging how people use their time.

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“We trust social media more than our neighbors,” someone commented at a recent Braver Angels workshop that was seeking to find common ground on trustworthy elections. That statement barely raised an eyebrow among the diverse political activists in attendance, but it is a profound recognition of where our country stands today. Can you really trust anyone any more, and where do you go to find someone or something to believe in?

You can read more in my recent column in the New Hampshire Business Review here.

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In 2019, I traveled to West Africa to do a week-long leadership training for two agricultural associations in a rural area of Guinea. This past spring, I was asked to tune in to a Zoom meeting with that same group who enthusiastically thanked me for the training, esp. my recommendations to increase women in leadership. They now have stronger leadership with more democratic processes happening in their associations. Obviously, it was gratifying to hear. Never doubt your impact!

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Striving to understand another’s perspective seems like a lost art these days, but it cannot be emphasized enough. Listening to understand (and not just to reply), including asking questions in the spirit of curiosity, are invaluable for working with others. A big challenge these days is connecting with people who see things differently. In her powerful new book, I Never Thought of It That Way, Monica Guzman writes, “When you’re surrounded by people who reflect the same basic set of perspectives, you’ll find it harder to grasp any others.”

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In my volunteer role with Braver Angels, I recently helped organize a Boston workshop for citizens from both sides of the political aisle. One participant observed that people have reached a point where, “we trust social media more than our neighbors” but, after much discussion, participants came to agreement on a number of points. Comments at the end included: “I am feeling like we are all Americans,” and “I am more hopeful about the future, that reds and blues can talk to each other.”

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Tech giants inundate us with targeted messages designed to separate us from our hard-earned cash. If you are a business owner, is it a helpful way to increase sales? It is sad that platforms that promised to bring us together are fostering so much division. Algorithms favor posts that generate emotional reactions, keeping us on line for as long as possible (so we see more ads). If it screams it streams, but if kind pay no mind. You can read the full column here.

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I am excited to be working again with this Waterbury, Vermont manufacturer of carbide-tipped saw blades. This project will help grow the business, benefit employees, and ensure that STS thrives for many years to come. A recent leadership training included formal vs informal roles, how the way one does a job impacts others, and embracing personal and business change. Participants did an analysis of positive changes at STS and areas that could benefit from further improvement.

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The authors of a 2018 study write that, “Polarization has become a business model.” David Brooks observes,. “When a nation loses faith in each other, the nation collapses. . . . Restoring trust in each other is the elemental task.” Are you as distressed as I am by this growing problem? You can read my full column at: https://read.nhbr.com/nh-business-review#2022/05/20/?article=3974953.

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I was honored to be recognized for my volunteer work with Braver Angels. I am proud of efforts to overcome the deep polarization that is negatively impacting our country. You can read more at: https://braverangels.org/a-former-new-hampshire-state-legislator-is-working-against-knee-bashing-youre-either-with-us-or-against-us-politics/.

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In 2019, I returned to Ukraine as an international observer during the election of President Zelensky and have been following his leadership ever since. While I had not been that impressed by the comedian-turned-politician, recent events have proven me wrong. He has certainly risen to the occasion, and “I need ammunition, not a ride” is a powerful message that will surely go down in history! You can read the full column here: https://read.nhbr.com/nh-business-review#2022/04/08/?article=3957240

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While Dr. Douglass Teschner has been conducting leadership training and organizational development in various capacities for many years, this organization was formally incorporated on March 26, 2018. Happy fourth birthday!

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I had the great pleasure to live in Ukraine from 2010 to 2014, serving as country director for the Peace Corps. I oversaw the work of some 1000 Americans of all ages who served across that nation, teaching English, developing communities, and supporting youth. I traveled throughout the country and found the Ukrainians to be warm, welcoming, and ready to embrace a better future after so many years of Soviet and Russian domination. I returned to Ukraine in 2019 as part of an international election observer team.

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The Gallup organization has been doing workplace polling for many years, and their latest results are that only 34% of American workers are engaged in their work and 16% are actively disengaged. Writing for Gallup’s Workplace, Shannon Mullen O'Keefe says, “70% of the variance in team engagement is determined solely by the team’s manager.” You can read my full column on this topic in New Hampshire Business Review here.

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In 2019, I traveled to Guinea (where I served as country director for Peace Corps from 2014 to 2016) to conduct a five-day leadership program in French for two rural agricultural associations. This was implemented through the US Agency for International Development “Farmer to Farmer” program administered by Winrock International. Like many people, I have not been traveling much lately due to COVID, but I am about to begin my third Guinea virtual training during the past two years.

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In my leadership workshops, I show a cartoon of a man asking, “Who wants change?” and the assembled crowd enthusiastically raises their hands in response. But when he asks, “Who wants to change?” they look quietly down at their feet. Growing as people requires us to look for positive opportunities to change and grow. You can read my full column at https://read.nhbr.com/nh-business-review#2022/01/28/?article=3927922.

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