Is this you?

You have been an organizational leader for at least a few years. You may have had some fantastic coaching in that time. Maybe even from me. You are hitting your stride. And...you really wish you could tap into the wisdom of your peers. You would love to have a sounding board, confirmation that you are on the right track.

What I know...

I believe in the wisdom of a group. I believe in the power of collaborative thinking. I am amazed by what is possible when we listen to each other; share our experiences honestly and build on each other’s ideas. And I know how to bring out the best in a group of people.

What I am offering...

A chance for you to get support, strategies, new ideas and partnerships from 3 other leaders (and me!):

Four leaders in non-profit or education: You are goal-oriented, ready to take responsibility for the change you want, you are open to new ideas, good listeners who know you have as much to share as you do to learn.

Four months for 6 sessions: Each session lasts 90 minutes. Once an awesome foursome is assembled, the group will determine the specific dates and time (with the help of a digital scheduling service).

One private 40-minute coaching session with me: The topic is your choice. It can relate to the goals you are working on in the group. It can be unrelated. It can be professional or personal.

What will you get?

• An opportunity to focus on your goals, challenges, successes etc.
  You can come to the session with one large goal or on each call, you may be focused on a different issue. It is all good. The only thing we ask is that you do your homework and prepare to focus in on an issue or challenge.
• The ability to ask for (and receive) the kind of support you want
  Are you stumped? Do you need help seeing your situation in a new way? Do you want to hear how someone else has done it? Do you want us to respond to an idea for a new program? Are you fresh out of new ideas to try? Need help with a difficult conversation? Do you want confirmation that what you just accomplished is in fact, worthy of cheering and acknowledgement? You get to ask, and we are on it.
• A constructive and collaborative group experience
  We will hold you accountable and keep you focused. You can brag to us and we will cheer wildly; you can come with a heavy load on your shoulders and we will try to lighten it. We will think together with you. We will listen when that is what you need most and we will count on you to contribute.
• Access to print, digital and human resources that will support your goals
  We all commit to share what we know. It might be a great consultant, a book, or new research study. It might be a blog you will want to start following or an organization you will want to collaborate with. Hey, it could even lead you to new donors. (No promises, but you never know.) I might even consider inviting some experts that we all want to learn from, to join a call.

Some more things you are probably wondering about and want to know:

• The most important job I have is putting together your group. I will be taking great care to ensure that you are in a group with 3 other people who can support you, who are not in competition with you and with whom we can design a set of agreements to ensure confidentiality and safety.
• You will have the right of first refusal. Not happy with your group and want to pull out? You will have a week to make that decision and receive a full refund if you choose to pass on the group. If there is another appropriate group to fit you into, I will. If not, you are welcome to apply again when we run another round.
• Another important role I play is to help you function as a team. I will help you navigate any sticky situations that show up between you. These will help the group and I will show you how to apply these strategies when the same dynamics show up in your organization.
• What else will I be doing while you are brilliantly supporting each other? I will be asking lots of questions that will help you probe your own thinking and your situation. I will be encouraging you to explore new perspectives in some creative ways. I will also be your champion. I will stand up for your best self and make sure s/he doesn’t get lost.

Getting down to the brass tacks...

1. The total cost for Four: Four: One is $1,000.
2. Want to be considered for this program? Send me an email with Four: Four: One in the subject line. Deadline for this round: December 17th, 2010
3. You will receive an email asking for a few basic facts about you and your organization and a short essay question.
4. I will also send you a link to a secure page to make a fully refundable $25 application fee (applied to the total cost of the program)
5. You will hear back from me about your acceptance to a Four: Four: One group by December 27th.
6. Groups will start meeting sometime in January, 2011.

Still have questions?

Of course you do.
Send them to me in the email with your intent to apply and I will try to answer them.