Testimonials

A participant to the June 2010 programme
What a fantastic journey through real life. What a joy to share with others and to be able to reflect on our limiting abilities but especially to be able to walk out the door more confident and energised than ever!

A participant to the June 2010 programme
I am full with energy to start my new journey. I have the determination to find whatever it is that holds me back and find a strategy that will help me at least for the next 2 years, and will ensure I have a new and stronger team

A participant to the June 2010 programme
I arrived excited - I left exhilarated

H. Spain - participant to an earlier "Choices" programme with Maggie Turnbull
In 2007 I took voluntary redundancy from Unilever as it presented me with a wonderful opportunity to try something new and to learn new skills. As part of my package I attended a programme with the McLane Group. The most powerful part of this programme for me was “Choices”. Whilst I was really excited about changing career I also felt apprehensive, wondering what would happen and worrying about if I failed. Experiencing the Choices part helped me in two key ways. Firstly it helped me become more conscious of who I am being when at my most successful and understanding the variety of innate qualities that I have within myself, and which I can draw on whenever I chose. Secondly, it helped me understand what differs when I am not being so successful. I learned that the times when I was most successful were the times when I was using both heart and head (avalon and glastonbury) on a task, conversely, the times when I did not bring my softer more empathetic side cuminated in my not seeing such positive results. This helped me come up with my powerful statement “When I bring all of me, I can move mountains”, something which when I think of it, helps me through those occasional moments of self-doubt or demotivation. Choices raised my self awareness at the time, however also has provided me with a tool which I can use now and in future to continue to grow and learn.

R. Thomas, senior manager at Unilever and participant to an earlier programme with Maggie Turnbull
I first encountered Maggie Turnbull and the McLane Group in 1998 during a culture change programme she was invited to lead at the manufacturing site I was working at. Little did I realise as we started this journey, that it would be a personal growth journey as well. Many of the ideas and concepts that Maggie and the team shared have remained with me. There are three in particular that I still make regular reference to both personally, professionally and in trying to support others: • the 3Cs - get what you are committed to, make a choice and deal with the consequences. My son is growing up with this one • detachment - don't become emotionally involved in those things where you need to be rational and logical • embrace the whole and deal with the part - a great one to call upon whenever I feel a sense of becoming overwhelmed, especially useful when I managed a large cross functional manufacturing project and in my new role as factory manager And who did I turn to when picking up the reins of my new role, Maggie, for the sense of groundedness and inner confidence she so effortlessly inspires.

A participant to an earlier programme with Maggie Turnbull
I first met Maggie Turnbull in 1997 when they were hired by Gerber Products Company to work with our Fremont Plant Leadership Team. Our friendship has continued over many years and the many miles between England and the United States, based on our mutual commitment to each other’s success and development as leaders and human beings. In the 13 years I’ve known Maggie, I have grown immensely, both professionally and personally. Most importantly, this growth has come through a true commitment to myself. Within this commitment, I’ve had to make many choices and recognize the impact of those choices on myself and those around me. I have learned the value and importance of relationships in those choices. I have been a generous listener to gain input from others as I evaluated my options and was committed to the final decision I made. During 1997, I moved from Gerber Corporate/Administration to take a leadership position at the Fremont Plant and to build my manufacturing experience as a female in a predominately male world. At the same time, the McLane Group was hired and began working with us to drive a major culture change in the plant. I didn’t realize it at the time, but the changes over the years ahead would be very significant to me. By 2002, I had been promoted to a Supply Chain Manager with 25 years of experience at Gerber, but became vulnerable to a major downsizing when the company was purchased by Novartis. I was offered the choice to “downsize” my professional life, take a severance package and leave the company to pursue other opportunities. During my final week at Gerber, I was offered a job as Assistant Director for a private non-profit organization, providing services to local families in need. I decided to invest my leadership experience in this organization and take pride in “giving back” to our communities. After over six years as Assistant Director, I recently made the choice to “downsize” my career again, taking a new position with 3 months of time off annually and working on community partnerships for an after-school program. At this stage in my professional life, I’m committed to enjoying my time beyond work, enriching my own life as well as the lives of my family and friends. In addition to a successful professional life and good health, I am blessed with a wonderful husband and two children. Our daughter is working on her Master’s degree, married to an awesome man, and a great mother of an adorable son. Our son recently went through an addiction recovery program, resulting in almost one year of sobriety. By choosing to “downsize” my career, I have supported my commitment to my family and this has enabled me to be more present in the lives of both of our children in more recent years. Through my work with the McLane Group, I have discovered the value of being committed to myself and this has been integral part of my growth as a leader and human being. I highly recommend the “Brand Me” program and believe in what it will bring to your professional and personal life.