Case Studies and Testimonials

Case Studies

Testimonials

"I really liked Roger's style, the way he is open, and works with people, his honesty. It's somehow very similar to my own style. Seeing this approach/style/technique/persona "on-stage" being used by the well-known facilitation guru was a really important validation of the way I work. I had expected to be pissed off by something slick. Instead, the way I already strive to work was dissected, explained, and validated.

The small group work I did with you and the others was also really important. Practicing. Hearing myself. Hearing suggestions for other ways to say or think. Your openness to learn. Your eye contact. No hierarchy. No one-upmanship (is that a word?). Again, I figured if Matt Beane believes this much in himself and yet isn't an arrogant snot, why can't I believe in myself, be authentic, and not a puffed up big-shot consultant. In the work I do overseas, authenticity is probably the single most important thing I can offer my clients. I wasn't fully aware of that before the week with you two."

Bob Vandenberg
Performance Management Consultant

"This is one of the two most valuable sets of skills that I've learned in my career. The course gave me the most valuable feedback I've ever had. It really helped me see my tendencies and myself. The course was so important because without that practice I would have no idea that I was, at times, because of my own approach to conflict, actually getting in the way of the groups that I work with making lasting progress. I came to a different understanding of conflict and a much more productive way of helping people to work through it.

After your workshop, I was working with a senior executive team. Our goal was to improve the productivity of this team, and, thereby, impact the business. I talked to them about your ground rules and explained the assumptions behind them. The group agreed to give them a try. We practiced them for several months, and I facilitated differently than I had before, applying what I had learned in the course. As a result, the group members said they made faster decisions, got increased productivity, and human interaction was more productive and more fun. People were clarifying things right in the meeting and not walking away with as much unfinished business. After several months, the team invited me to a meeting in which they spent time celebrating the progress they had made. The ground rules were recognized as key to that success. One group member said: "Even engineers can learn the soft stuff." and "The cost of doing business was less."

Dr. Nida Backaitis
Principal Organizational Effectiveness Consultant
The MITRE Corporation

"I wish I had been exposed to Roger's Approach in my early days - it gives anyone the skills and the courage to have challenging conversations meaningfully and productively."Thomas Zgambo
Ph.D. Corporate Ombudsman, Coca-Cola Enterprises, Past President, Ombudsmen Association

"It's been almost two years since I participated in the 'Skilled Facilitator Workshop' by Roger Schwarz and Associates. During those two years I have introduced the 'ground rules' technique to many senior executives and their leadership teams. The results of implementing Roger's technique into my work have been profound. My clients are experiencing real shifts in their communication skills and in their behaviors that can be directly attributed to the use of the 'ground rules'. Roger's front of the room facilitation skills are outstanding. Bar none! Simply being in the room with Roger and observing how he and his associates incorporate the 'ground rules' into the live dialogue is a profound learning lab in and of itself. Roger's sense of humor is very entertaining and so well placed that I couldn't help but enjoy every minute of the week-long program. I would highly recommend this program to executive coaches, CEO's and their senior leadership teams, and anyone who wants to make a difference in the way their organization communicates. I believe this is the work that will make the difference that organizations are struggling to find."Cheryl Hobelaid
Certified Executive Corporate Coach

"I found the workshop a life changing experience, and specifically, I had been approaching lots of situations from a control orientation - I entered the workshop very cynical about what I was going to learn - I left with a fundamentally different approach to the most stressful, complex and difficult situations I face as a leader." George Langdon
Vice President, Groupcast Strategic Initiatives, IDX Corporation

"Your Skilled Facilitator Intensive Workshop quite literally changed the way I communicate - on both an individual level and group level. The training I received at the workshop was both practical and meaningful. I am a more thoughtful listener and a more thoughtful responder, particularly when things get difficult. Here's one example of many: I was recently involved in a committee process, with a diverse group of people, to develop recommendations for process improvements to sexual assault investigations. At times, the discussions were contentious and emotional. The skills I learned through your training helped me to do the following in this committee:

• Test my assumptions to ensure that I was hearing accurately what fellow committee members were saying.
• I was able to focus on our common interests, which allowed for more open (and less defensive) discussion. Each committee member had a different position regarding the way sexual assault investigation should be conducted, keeping the discussion focused on shared interests was especially important.
• Explain my reasoning and intent in specific areas that I felt needed improvements. This allowed committee members to better understand my perspective without feeling attacked or feeling that I was somehow minimizing their skills and abilities.
  While I wasn't the committee facilitator, practicing the ground rules you taught me helped me to communicate and hear more effectively as an individual committee member. As a result, the committee meetings were less contentious and we were successful in agreeing on specific and practical recommendations for process improvements to sexual assault investigations.

Finally, I have to add that I am not a big fan of role-playing; when I heard that your workshops relied heavily on role-playing, I got concerned. The role-playing at your workshop was extremely helpful practice. In fact, I had a blast during that part...and I was NOT expecting that!"

Michelle Callaham
Assistant Ombudsman, City of Boise

"As a facilitative consultant and trainer in the Systems Thinking community, I had taken four different facilitation workshops before The Skilled Facilitator Intensive Workshop. Roger and his associates offer by far the most systemic approach I've ever learned for working with groups. It was packed with practical skills that I've used to improve my effectiveness and the groups I work with." Chris Soderquist, Founder
Pontifex Consulting

"The Skilled Facilitator Intensive Workshop is one of the finest educational experiences that I have had in my entire life. The workshop - based on Roger's definitive book The Skilled Facilitator - is presented with uncommon clarity, energy, and soul, as well as intellectual depth, and the exercises helped me to apply the material to the difficult situations that I face on and off the job. I heartily commend this course to anyone who seeks to improve his or her interpersonal effectiveness!" William J. Feuss, District Manager - Customer Value Strategy
AT&T Business Services

"Our group is made up of senior federal executives who are now serving as collaborative consultants and facilitators for top leaders in the government. Although we have had extensive facilitation experience, we all found that the workshop greatly exceeded our expectations. You modeled the behaviors and techniques that you were teaching and our group felt that "real learning took place." Tina Sung
Director, Federal Quality Consulting Group

"This [our five day workshop at the Cape Cod Institute] was the best (and also the least expensive) workshop I have ever done on Facilitation. Only complaint I have is that it was too short. It would be worth much more - consider finding the same workshop at full price!" Michael McCann
Independent Consultant

"Not only would I recommend this or other Roger Schwarz & Associates workshops, but urge others to partner with at least one other person in their organization if this is a new approach. Two people (from different departments) will have greater impact." Catherine Brousseau
Consultant, AARP

"[Your training] was so helpful and reassuring. I felt like I could handle more situations immediately with the skills I learned on the first day!" Susan Holstead
Director of Human Services for the Town of West Hartford, Connecticut

"The Skilled Facilitator is one of my favorite books. It has helped me be more *genuine* in my practice. This week provides a great opportunity to explore Roger's book and applications of the key teachings." Molly Tayer
Independent Consultant

"Very helpful - Helps you to think differently so you can act more effectively. In my opinion, anyone who deals with a group (work, family or community) can benefit from what we've learned [in this workshop]." Charlie Boyd
Teaching Pastor, Southside Fellowship

"I have said to folks, and will continue to do say, that his worthwhile workshop was an eye opener to me about my own style of facilitating and the "world view" upon which this style has been based. Prior to this workshop this was a blind spot for me. I am so grateful for these insights and this experience. So folks who attend your workshops should expect a challenge to their own current mental models by learning some well conceived alternative approaches to their own style." Nancy Conway
Senior Partner, Organizational Leadership

"Your Cape Cod Institute workshop was] Great - Clear, practical, well designed and taught. High level, sophisticated content and class. A really valuable set of skills for working in groups and one on one in any situation. Read the book, but treat yourself to the course!" Barbara Simonetti
Independent Consultant

"Be careful, this workshop will cause you to change your job or even your life (for good), since it teaches you to challenge how you see things and challenges your unexamined lifelong assumptions!"Henk Sengkey, Founder and President
Principia Learning Lab
INDONESIA