“Susan refreshed a simulation used in one of our executive development programs. It's purpose is to teach executives how to think strategically, while applying a disciplined approach to solving complex business problems. Susan conducted a needs analysis with line executives and co-wrote and developed a challenging simulation based on implementing IBM's strategy in the global healthcare environment. The finished product is phenomenal - beyond world class - and has received rave reviews from our senior executives. This case study has taken learning to the next level and made me proud to be the owner of this program.
I highly recommend Susan for her flexibility, writing & design, complexity of thought and ability to get the job done in a professional and supportive manner.”
William Bennett
Organizational Leadership Consultant - Executive Development Programs
IBM Enterprise Leadership Consulting
“Susan Shaner of Sage Leadership Strategies was a guest speaker at a Hitachi Consulting Women’s Interactive Network (WIN) meeting. Susan did a phenomenal job of helping our team to understand the value of first looking within in order to paint a clear picture of our desired reality - for ourselves, our departments, and our organization. She reinforced WIN’s goal of connecting with others as a means to support and help each other grow. Susan emphasized the need to invest in our own development and the development of others. The time and effort required to build relationships and support mutual goals is time well spent. Thanks Susan for the valuable lessons of learning to 'reflect, connect, and invest'!”
Denise Revello
Vice President & Chief People Officer, Hitachi Consulting
“Susan uses a highly collaborative approach to planning and delivering her programs. She invested time up front to fully understand the challenges facing our organization, and she customized her program so that it met our needs. In addition, Susan was very flexible about the delivery format, adapting her program to suit our preferred format: a live virtual event presented through a web-meeting. She took full advantage of the tools our technology offers, resulting in an interactive event that reached employees across our global organization. Her content and delivery style were highly professional and polished, providing a valuable, engaging and thought provoking session. I look forward to working with Susan and Sage Leadership Strategies again.”
Karin Levitt
Director, Learning & Development, Hitachi Consulting
“I have worked for a number of years with Susan as a colleague within IBM and we have used her as an independent contractor since she has ventured out on her own. Within IBM she was one of our most talented Organizational Leadership Consultants. As such she worked closely with our most senior executives both as a personal consultant and coach and in the development and implementation of leadership development programs. As a service provider she has helped with the design and implementation of Executive Leadership Development Programs. Quite simply, you will not find a more talented or diligent worker. I recommend her without any hesitation or reservations."
Col (ret.) Jack Beach, Ph.D.
Manager, Leadership Research & Executive Programs
IBM
“Susan Shaner, through her coaching, questioning and feedback has reconfirmed for me that the path to professional growth is infinite, evolutionary and self-perpetuating. I have had the distinct privilege of working with someone who not only understands the drivers and underlying motivators, but who can shift your direction in life and in the workplace. Susan has given me an opportunity to become someone who is well-balanced, who can see the horizon from miles away, and who can make strategic decisions and realign goals and purpose to a broader mission. Working with Susan will give you a chance to take stake in what you do, how you do it and what changes you need to make. You will enter a landscape that will challenge your present state of mind, beliefs and professional rituals. She will provide you with the tools you need to realign your focus towards the betterment of your career and the company.”
Ms. Yvette Dano
V.P., Corporate Director of Operations
Penguin Group (USA)
“Susan helped me make better decisions and improve my performance by keeping a focus on these areas. I am able to give clearer feedback to my leaders which helps them understand what I am thinking. This overall has made me more effective.”
Richard Campbell
Vice President, (Sales)
Trane Commercial Systems
"After having several negative experiences working with consultants on executive development over the past several years, I was hard pressed to convince our CEO to engage yet another “expert” to facilitate training for our leadership team.
In my research to find a results-oriented, pragmatic trainer/facilitator with a proven track record in leadership development and organizational effectiveness, I interviewed over a dozen “so-called” executive/leadership development experts. Just as I was about to give up on this initiative, Susan Shaner was referred to me by a well-respected colleague.
From our first conversation, I could see that Susan was very different from any of the consultants I had worked with or spoken to before. For one thing, instead of trying to sell me on her expertise, Susan asked pointed questions about our organization, our business proposition and strategic plans, current challenges, leadership team and staffing model in order to learn what our real needs were. And she actually LISTENED!
Together, we developed realistic objectives that matched our needs and our budget and over a six-month period, Susan patiently guided me in the planning and implementation of a very successful three-day training and team-building event for our leadership team. Susan’s wealth of knowledge and experience, expert facilitation skills and exceptional ability to relate to and engage her audience, combined to make the training a highly interactive, productive and enjoyable experience for all.
To the amazement of the CEO, the interpersonal communication skills, teamwork and group dynamics of our managers around the country and their respective teams continue to improve as a result of the training -- enhancing our organizational effectiveness and productivity and positioning us to more efficiently handle our business growth. Many thanks to you, Susan, for truly making a difference and I look forward to working with you on future projects!"
Lorraine Bello, President
Ricklin Echikson Associates (REA)
“Susan’s approach is no nonsense. She quickly helped us translate an ambiguous set of competencies into a distinctive leadership brand and concrete learning curriculum.”
Responsible for Global Leadership Development,
Real Estate Relocation Services Company
“My work with Susan began at a fortuitous time. I had just been offered a position in another organization -- promotion and broader responsibilities. Susan worked with me during this critical time through the decision making process at offer time to assimilation on the new job. The 8 months together was an amazing way for me to really make this transition a lot faster and smoother. Susan's approach and style was incredibly effective and we were able to work at many different levels at a pace that was comfortable and safe. Her guidance helped me be more insightful and understand more how to be an effective leader. Thanks for sticking with me and I will remember my personal acronym – ‘S - B - A’.”
Eve Emerson
Talent & Organization Development Leader
Global Software Solutions Company
"Susan was the consummate professional and did a terrific job designing focus group questions and conducting sessions in one of our distribution centers. She was able to distill a vast amount of information and provide us with anonymous feedback in order to help determine what steps we needed take to enhance the cultural climate. Susan’s partnership was valuable and critical to the success of the endeavor."
Melissa Vuernick
Executive Director, Training and Development
Penguin Group (USA), Inc.
“Susan is an expert in executive coaching, covering areas of leadership style, motives, values, and organizational effectiveness. She quickly assimilated into my business environment and introduced various assessment techniques to identify areas of focus. Susan provided hands-on and remote advice and coaching throughout her engagement with me. The results were very positive and long lasting, and have gone a long way in helping me develop a high performance organization.”
Beth Gollogly
Vice President, Transformation and Technology
IBM
“We benefited from brainstorming with Susan about the design of our leadership rotational program. She was flexible with our many questions and in giving us her experience and insights.”
Director, Leadership and Management Development
Fortune 500 Insurance Company
“Once again, I just wanted to let you know that I thought you did an excellent job during our two-day [strategy planning] meeting. You really facilitated with a capital “F” and kept the meeting moving, on target, and positively focused. Congrats. It was a pleasure working with you.”
Best wishes,
Country Director, Development Organization
“I've worked with Susan as a colleague and have since then sought her assistance as a consultant. Susan is an energizing business partner who has the unique ability to drive the details while maintaining a big picture perspective. I have a great deal of comfort in her ability to connect with and gain credibility at all levels of the organization -- from senior executive to front line. I like the results she gets and I genuinely enjoy working with her.”
Daniel Silberman, PhD
Director, Leadership Development
Quest Diagnostics