Lisa Joins MPI - I'm a solopreneur no more! The draw and power of "Super Teams"

If you are a regular reader, you may have noticed a few recent changes on this blog, my personal website, and my LinkedIn and Facebook profiles (and now my Twitter page!). For the past six years, I have been doing OD, training, and HR consulting and business writing for my own company, called Haneberg Management. No longer!

I am now part of a larger group of professionals - a great group - called Management Performance International (MPI). I am the Vice President and OD Consulting Practices Lead for MPI and will head up their OD (which includes management and leadership development) operations. MPI is a 30 year old boutique consulting firm headquartered in Cincinnati, OH that has built a strong reputation for offering creative solutions that help their clients get results.

Why the change? Here is a brief story about what I call "Super Teams" and attributes of great teams.

I worked for a durable goods manufacturer early in my career - about 25 years ago. I was the training manager and I worked for the VP of HR and had several HR generalists as peers. There was something about this team that was special. Although we each had our unique tasks to complete, we often talked with and coached each other and we supported each other's larger initiatives. The chemistry was excellent and mutual respect was high amongst all members. As a result and as a team, we got a lot done and had fun doing it. Every one of the key members - all of them - got promoted and then our super team was dispersed.

Since this experience, I have had high ideals for the great work that talented teams can do. My experiences permeate my training programs for senior teams, management teams, and operational teams. And there have been times when I have felt, again, the spark of a super team experience in various jobs I have held over the years.

I know this to be true: We do our best work when we are part of a team that we feel connected to and that we enjoy. We do our best work when we are part of something bigger than ourselves.

Although my individual consulting business has been successful - exceeding my goals most every year, I have been keeping an eye open for that special situation where I could again play full out on a super team. I considered several potential opportunities before I found and joined MPI. From the beginning something felt right about this partnership. I even told Jim Taylor, the CEO of MPI, the first time we spoke that we would either be very "right" for each other or not at all right in terms of fit. 

I am excited about being a part of the MPI team. Everyone in the firm is smart and plays at the top of his or her game. What makes this change particularly positive is that I get to continue to create (and co-create) innovative OD solutions and training programs for organizations - and this is what I love to do. For example, here are just a few of the programs we are cooking up (or have recently cooked up):

Reinventing the Business - a course for managers and leaders. During tough times, leaders need to be able to look critically and creatively at their piece of the business and change it to improve short-term and long term results. This course will offer leaders and managers practice on how to approach reinventing the business and share pitfalls that could get in change's way.

The New Business Acumen - leading through tough times. This course will explain and help develop five skills that managers and leaders need more now than ever. Business acumen is a moving target as the world becomes more global, virtual, competitive, fast, and complex.

High Impact Middle Management. Is your middle management function set up for success? Middle managers can be the engine of the organization, driving results and removing barriers and dysfunction. As the link between strategies and execution, a well tuned and mentally tough middle management team can be a driving force for success and results orientation.

Great Leadership Teams. It is important that senior leaders be effective both as individuals and as a team - especially when the organization needs to make changes to stay competitive. We will offer an innovative and inspiring model for senior team excellence and help leadership teams build six important capabilities.

I have let this post go on too long, I know. Hey, I'm excited! To learn more about the changes and to see my new personal website, click on the links below:

Lisa's personal website

MPI's website

The press release about me joining MPI

One last thing about the blogs. Have you noticed the new posts over at the 2 Weeks 2 a Breakthrough and Hip and Sage blogs? Stay tuned to all three blogs for great posts each week. YES - my blogging will continue and, in fact, it will be better because you will get to read more voices and more provocative perspectives as my colleagues at MPI weigh in on occasion.

Comments

[CV Harquail]

Lisa, how great for you! Congratulations.
I think you're absolutely right that, even while we can be engaged, effective and motivated when working 'alone' or independently, there's an extra juicing that we get when we work with like-minded others. Here's hoping that your new association is a super 'superteam'.

[David Zinger]

Lisa,

I am so pleased for you.

You would be fabulous to have on a team and I believe MPI is very fortunate to have you with them. I look forward to how you will offer even so much more in 2009.

David

[Michael Kroth]

Lisa, I am very excited for you. As always you are moving forward with passion and power! I know you will do very well and I am rooting for your success and happiness.

Michael

[Cheryl Cran]

Hi Lisa
Congratulations! What resonated with me about your post was your enthusiasm and passion for what you do and your desire to work in a 'community'. I think we will see more and more joint ventures and teams being created within the consulting/training market place as we are called to serve as part of a dynamic group.
Cheryl Cran

[Lisa Haneberg]

Thanks, everyone, for your kind thoughts. It feels great to be a part of a bright team that wants to do great work.

[Phil Gerbyshak]

Sorry I'm late to celebrate with you Lisa! Congratulations! I'm delighted you are getting back to a team atmosphere where you can contribute at a HUGE level!

Congrats to MPI for hiring the mother of modern management!

[Lisa Haneberg]

Phil - mother of modern mgt? Well, that's a new one. Thanks for the good wishes.

[Rosa Say]

Yes Lisa, I did notice the changes and had been wondering! Ho‘omaika‘i ‘ana – Congratulations, I am very happy for you.

Completely understand what you mean by working with a winning team, and I am sure there are great things ahead for you and for MPI. Seems to be a win-win for us as your faithful readers too, for the goodness is sure to keep permeating the writing you share with us so generously, mahalo.

[Dave Rothacker]

Hey Lisa, More grist for the Lisa Haneberg Management mill. Sweet! You are such a role model! Best wishes in your new adventure!