Today we’d like to introduce you to Steve Salisbury.
Steve, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
From dishwashers to diplomas to dispensing medicines, I have found that organizations leave billions of dollars on the table when they introduce change strategies including mergers, acquisitions, outsourcing, culture, processes and other innovations. Too often they fall short when it comes to making change stick. In fact, according to numerous studies, nearly half of all change and transformation projects fail because leaders do not pay enough attention to the people side of change.
But the people business pays dividends. As a transformational leadership expert, I’ve seen projects nearly quadruple in value when executives bring me in to help them transform their vision into realities that employees, customers and suppliers can support. The chancellor of one college I counseled said his project was the most successful ever for the college in part due to my help. A senior vice president of a major pharmaceutical firm said my work and influence helped him build a team of committed champions faster which resulted in significant improvement in employee engagement. I also worked with leaders to acquire and integrate $4B in business transactions from Maytag’s operations to Whirlpool’s operations in seven months with no disruption in service to customers, including large customers such as Sears, Lowes and Home Depot.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
As a church leader, world traveler and renovator of my 100-year-old farm house and barn in southwest Michigan, I love change and new experiences. Those who like stability might think I’m crazy, and maybe you must be to do this work, but it’s worth it. I love reinventing myself and enjoy helping others do the same. Like many executives, I dreamed of quitting my full-time corporate job and setting up my own company. I formed my consulting business in 2012 and have developed a robust consulting practice. I attribute my success to three things:
• I interact with candor. The old saying “honesty is the best policy” is true. Never underestimate the power of truth when leading an organization through change. Then, listen more than you talk. Inquiry is often more powerful than advocacy.
• I connect authentically with people. I’ve been told that my ability to connect with others is second to none. I’ve seen plenty of cross-functional dysfunction in most of the organizations I work with. When team members learn how to build relationships and connect authentically, they break down walls and open doors to collaboration and communication.
• I produce. My motto is, “If there is a choice, do it.” It’s better to act, fail and learn than it is to be risk adverse. During change, if you are risk adverse, you won’t find those pockets of resistance as quickly, and your change won’t be as successful.
Steve Salisbury Consulting – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
My company helps leaders transform their vision into reality. My focus is to help C-level executives, business owners and teams prepare their organizations to drive change. This results in significant success – often exceeding the initial targets.
Whether it is speaking to a group of executives about the opportunities change brings, coaching those executives on how to become more successful leading change, or consulting project executives on developing and executing transformation strategies, I love change. And as our global economy continues to grow and change, I’m finding that more and more executives look to experts like me to help them navigate the waters of change.
I am passionate about productive change, and seeing people and organizations improve dramatically as a result. I deliver results. I make change happen. This passion also drives me to support others in the profession through my role as vice president of the board of directors of ACMP (Association of Change Management Professionals) Midwest. This chapter supports the development of 450+ members across Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
As a member of Alan Weiss’s Million Dollar Consulting Community, I cannot say enough about the value of peer-to-peer support. Alan has written 64 books and is known as the rock star of consulting. I understand every great coach has a coach, and I have hired a mentor through Alan’s program. I tell all my executive clients that the most successful CEOs have a strategic advisor supporting them and helping them grow.
Day after day, month after month, my clients give me the opportunity to demonstrate the tremendous value I add, and as a result, often call me back for more. I have also had some great mentors along the way… people who took the time to help me hone my craft, and improve my delivery. The result? I have helped many organizations drive greater success, and I have made many friends along the way.
Contact Info:
- Address: 1700 E. 56th Street, Suite 2709, Chicago, Illinois 60637
- Website: www.stevesalisburyconsulting.com
- Email: steve@stevesalisburyconsulting.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SteveSalisburyConsulting
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/ssalisbury56
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-salisbury-8ab4149
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