Hi Kari, thanks for joining us today. To kick things off, we’d love to hear about things you or your brand do that diverge from the industry standard.

In my 25 years of organizational experience across military, higher education, non-profit and in the corporate world, I’ve come to recognize a fundamental truth: the most successful organizations are those that seamlessly integrate leadership, culture, and strategy. At TGN Consulting, we’ve built our consultancy around this core principle.

Many organizations tend to leverage independent consulting expertise in strategy, leadership or culture, inadvertently leading to divergent ends. For example, the consultant might offer excellent strategic advice but neglect the leadership development necessary to execute that strategy. Or, they might focus on leadership training without considering the broader cultural context in which those leaders operate. This segmented approach can lead to solutions that are unfocused due to a misaligned or missing strategy, unsustainable because of a misaligned or missing culture, or unmanageable due to misaligned or missing leadership.

What sets TGN Consulting apart is our holistic approach. We understand that leadership, culture, and strategy are deeply interconnected. Effective leadership is necessary to drive strategy and shape culture. A supportive culture is essential for nurturing leadership and ensuring the successful implementation of strategy. For instance, a company might have a brilliant strategy on paper, but if its culture is resistant to change, that strategy will never come to fruition. Or consider the importance of a clear, actionable strategy that provides direction for leaders and a purpose to organizational culture. Even the most visionary leaders will struggle if they’re operating within a culture that doesn’t support their objectives or if they lack a clear strategy to guide their decisions.

In essence, while other firms might offer piecemeal solutions, at TGN Consulting, we provide a comprehensive roadmap for success. We recognize that true organizational excellence is only achieved when leadership, culture, and strategy are in harmony. And that’s what we strive to achieve for every client we work with.

Kari, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

We support executives in guiding their teams through big changes.

The success rate of big changes is tough: 70% of organizational transformations fail; 67% Strategic planning objectives fall short; 61% of executives struggle to bridge the gap between strategy formulation and execution; 83% mergers do not boost shareholder returns; 80% acquisitions fail to meet their projections; and 92% of new products or services don’t survive their first year in the marketplace.

In today’s dynamic landscape, the divide between change-embracing companies and those lagging is widening. We bridge that gap, helping organizations not just adapt, but flourish by ensuring strategy is clear, leaders are aligned, and culture can support the change; whether that be an organizational restructure, rapid growth, market disruption, M&A, etc. With all the new exponential technology entering our world, we believe many organizations will be hit with changes they were not expecting. We are preparing our clients for this and preparing ourselves to meet the demand.

At the heart of our consulting ethos is a deep-seated belief: businesses aren’t just operational entities; they’re vibrant communities. Each is a unique blend of human emotions, aspirations, and challenges. This human element is the true driving force behind an organization, yet needs to be worked with in a profoundly different way than other organizational assets. For example, while projects kick off with a START, humans need an END. We understand this distinction.

Our method is rooted in authentic listening. We delve deep, understanding not just the overt challenges but the underlying emotions and motivations. While operational issues might seem similar, the human dynamics beneath them are distinct and deeply personal. Leaders and teams operate within realities shaped by beliefs, past experiences, and aspirations. By addressing these subjective realities at scale, we catalyze transformative change that resonates both professionally and personally.

We predominantly work with mid-market firms where we can offer the sophistication of top-tier consultancies but with a boutique touch. Our expertise spans healthcare, defense, higher education, retail, and global supply chain.

In essence, TGN Consulting is your partner in navigating the complexities of leadership, culture, and strategy. Together, let’s usher in your next ERA.

If you have multiple revenue streams in your business, would you mind opening up about what those streams are and how they fit together?

In our work, we’ve observed a common reliance among executives on traditional employee surveys to gauge workforce sentiments. These surveys, while valuable, often present a lagging snapshot, influenced by past moods and individual interpretations. They might highlight known challenges but frequently miss the underlying dynamics that give rise to them. It’s akin to repeatedly filling in recurring potholes on a road without addressing the root cause of the deterioration.

Enter ViewScape™.

This isn’t just another survey tool; it’s a strategic instrument designed to capture a multifaceted view of an organization’s landscape. It provides a panoramic lens, offering insights from diverse organizational perspectives and ensuring a comprehensive understanding of a company’s current reality. Beyond merely identifying surface-level issues, ViewScape™ acts as an organizational x-ray, illuminating the conditions and contexts that create challenges.

Grounded in the principle that “people don’t do stupid things…they do what makes complete sense to them,” ViewScape illuminates the deeper narratives and interpretations that shape individual and collective actions within an organization. This depth of insight allows businesses to address the root causes of issues, fostering transformative change that resonates on both operational and human levels.

ViewScape isn’t just a supplementary offering; it’s a primary organizational diagnostic tool. It provides immense value, enabling businesses to gain a richer, more nuanced understanding of their internal dynamics. Furthermore, it serves as a litmus test for us, helping determine if potential clients align with our ethos and objectives, ensuring that our partnerships are not just transactional but truly transformative.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

The onset of COVID-19 was a defining moment for many businesses, mine included. As the world grappled with the pandemic’s uncertainties, I was faced with a critical decision that would shape the future of my consulting firm.

In those early days, the timeline of the pandemic was a topic of much debate. While many predicted a short-lived disruption, my husband at the time, deeply immersed in research, painted a far grimmer picture: COVID could last anywhere from nine months to two years. This projection was hard to digest. It was disheartening, even overwhelming. But as a leader, I had to confront the reality and make a strategic choice. I thank him to this day! (Thanks Matt!)

With the stakes so high, I made a pivotal decision in the first week of the pandemic: transition everything to virtual. It was a bold move, especially when the virtual consulting landscape was largely uncharted. But it was a risk I was willing to take. We committed to our clients, assuring them that, together, we’d navigate this new terrain. This proactive approach set us apart. While many in our industry hesitated or faltered for 6-9 months, we embraced change, doubling our business during the pandemic.

This journey wasn’t without its challenges. The isolation was palpable. As I reached out to peers in the consulting world, I realized many were struggling. But adversity has a way of forging unexpected alliances. It was during this period that I connected with my now business partner. Recognizing the synergies, we decided to combine our strengths, charting a new path forward.

This experience was transformative. It wasn’t just about adapting to a global crisis; it was about evolving as a leader. I transitioned from being a founder or business owner to truly stepping into the role of a CEO, making tough decisions, and steering the ship through uncharted waters.