METHODOLOGY

We Tap Experts Too

Communication is More Complex

Leading today is tough. The stakes are higher and the risks are greater. Without exception, my clients under estimate or overlook strengths, experiences, and ability they can tap to  communicate better. I use the tools below to help you assess and build interpersonal or cross-cultural skills, and continue learning on your own. 
The Business of Culture-
​Geert Hofestede's Cultural Dimensions, helps us understand differences in social skills. While this global management tool focuses primarily on national cultures, its useful for understanding personal communication styles in US Americans.
Equity Starts With Money-
Rianne Eisler's Center for Partnership Systems offers a roadmap to shift from domination systems to partnership systems  It also provides free data, based on CPS's four pillars of a society that nurtures humanity: Economics & Values, Gender Socialization, Family & Childhood, Words We Use/Stories We Tell.
​Resolution Washington uses a facilitative mediation process to resolve conflict. It's based on the Federal Mediation & Conciliation Service's 40-Hour, Basic Training, an 8-step model that helps parties communicate better in the future and release previous conflicts. This tool is a key facilitation and training skill used in the workplace, courts, and communities.  
Adaptive Leadership is a Harvard-based model designed to create a region-wide common good.  It helps people and organizations adapt and thrive in changing environments, by dissecting dysfunction- using conflict as a guide to finding long-term solutions. Lee is a graduate of Leadership Eastside's Community Leadership Academy, at Saybrook University. 

Neuro-Diversity: How You're Smart 

Multiple Intelligences - Many experts now label Howard Gardner's theory as 'junk science'.  Decades ago, he proposed that people aren't born with all of the intelligence but that some are added over a lifetime. This model is still widely used by many, and especially educators. It includes eight different types of intelligences that influence how we get along with others and learn. They are: Logical / Mathematical, Linguistic, Musical, Spatial, Bodily-Kinesthetic, Naturalist, Interpersonal, and Intrapersonal. Linguistic and logical-mathematical modalities are most valued in schools and US American white culture. More

Communication is Common Sense- and Common Sense is Cultural

Cultural Detective© is an experienced-based, online communication tool that improves communication in people and organizations. Developed by hundreds of global experts, it offers 50+ country profiles and lots of free information. Other tools include 'lenses' for experiential learning around:
  • ​Self-Discovery
  • Women & Men
  • Team-Building
  • Generational Harmony
  • LGBTQ+
  • Blending Cultures and Bridging Cultures

Philosophies

YIN / YANG - A Taoist/Daoist symbol that represents complementary, interdependent energies: shadow and light, feminine and masculine, yielding and resisting, sound and silence. These are key principles behind effective communication and conflict resolution.
TING - This Mandarin Chinese character symbolizes listening with the whole body, since it's believed that only about 1/2 of verbal communication is conveyed with words- body language and visuals are a big part of messaging. TING is a key part of our evaluative process.