Critical Thinking
What is actually in front of you, versus what you were told to assume.
Backbone Institute · Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Confidence
you can
stand on.
You cannot think or read your way to greater confidence. You must work at it deliberately.
Six weeks, groups of 8 to 20, and five skills you practice until they hold.
Classes for individuals and for teams. Milwaukee area, and on site for organizations.
Stand it up.
An illustrative studyPick something that puts you under pressure.
Ready · Choose a load above
Growth takes time and work. Sometimes a lot of time.
Illustrative example. Scenarios are from the Institute's published list of reasons people come.
The five skills
Five skills, one column. The class builds confidence through “mastery of five fundamental skills in an action-learning format.”
Practice them until they hold.
Decisiveness
Choosing on purpose, and living with the choice.
Clarity of Communication
Saying the thing in a way another person can hear, understand and respect.
Integrity of Word and Act
What you say matching what you do, when it costs you something.
Consistency
The same behavior on the boring Tuesday as on the big Friday.
Two doors
Classes for individuals and for teams. The same five skills, put to work in your own circumstances.
Personal growth
Groups of ~8-206 week class
- Dealing with a workplace bully
- Scared to ask for a raise/promotion
- Speaking truth to my boss
- Setting and maintaining boundaries
- Saying No
Professional development
Groups of ~8-206 week class
- Intimidation by a co-worker or boss
- Clarifying roles
- Firing an under performer without putting the company at risk of a lawsuit
- Reformulating leadership team
- Improving decision-making
Six weeks
Six weeks, not a seminar.
“We know from experience that growth takes time and work. Sometimes a lot of time.”
The format gives you time to practice between classes and capture what you learn.
- 01
Prepare yourself mentally and emotionally
- 02
Work through difficult challenges
- 03
Make new behaviors stick
- 04
Six 90-minute classes
Facilitated by Susan A. Marshall
- 05
A personal journal
To capture your insights
- 06
A copy of one of Susan's books
Books
Three books by Susan A. Marshall, on confidence at work and in life.
How to Grow a Backbone
10 Strategies for Gaining Power and Influence at Work
Find on Amazon
Of Beauty and Substance
A Backbone Guide for Women
Find on Amazon
Life Be In It
Words of Wisdom, Humor & Encouragement
Find on AmazonAnnounced, not yet released
The Rise of Emerging Leaders: A Backbone Guide for Young Professionals
Minding the Social Fabric: A Backbone Guide for Non-Profit Leaders
Raising the Future: A Backbone Guide for Parents
Empowering the Future: A Backbone Guide for Educators
Speaking
How leadership impacts organizational confidence.
- How Leadership Impacts Organizational Confidence
- Developing Executive Talent
- Leadership Skills to Shape What's Next
- How Women Develop Competence, Build Confidence and Add Value
- Using Backbone to Energize Your Career and Dominate Your Industry
More than 100 topicsFrom 90 minutes to multiple days.
200, 2,000 or 20,000Employees. On site or at locations worldwide.
Presented to audiences including
Chrysler · GE Healthcare · New York City Leadership Academy · Rogers Memorial Hospital Foundation · LKS Pharmacy Fraternity · UW-Madison Women's Executive Leadership Summit · UW-Milwaukee Women Leader's Conference
What people say
In the words of class attendees and past clients.
“I succeeded in my project much faster than I anticipated because this work helped me focus, make decisions, and ACT!”
“Wow, I really can't express to you how excited I am about this class! I think, no, I know, I am ready to make the changes necessary. No guts, no story. So good!”
“I am learning to approach others differently, sharing my thoughts, ideas and being curious about theirs. I don't worry about who is smarter or who might be judging me. Not trying so hard to impress others seems to draw people into better discussions”
“The five skills are so important! I think we know how to use them, but we rarely take the time to be deliberate in our actions. This course needs to be taught everywhere!”
“I was honored to be part of such a high level leadership group doing this work together. I appreciated being 'forced' to interact openly and honestly. What a tremendous growth opportunity!”
“I don't like silence. Learning and experiencing that silence can be powerful was quite an epiphany! I will continue to practice staying quiet. I am amazed at what I am learning.”
“I would love to share and highlight with people. Unfortunately I can't control them, only myself. I think this is something I have learned.”
“I learned to recognize and accept that other view points are as valid as my own. Different experiences create different comfort zones.”
“My biggest challenge is learning new behaviors, especially during times of stress. I am practicing listening rather than reacting, explaining or justifying my position. I am working to stay calm and thinking of how my example can teach others.”
“I appreciated the notion of baby steps. Forward progress is not about instant and permanent transformation”
Meet Susan
Susan A. Marshall
Susan A. Marshall is author, speaker and Founder of Backbone Institute, LLC, whose mission is to create a stronger, more confident future, one person or team at a time.
Susan has been a student and practitioner of leadership and personal and professional effectiveness since she was a little girl inspired by JFK's “Ask not” speech.
She is an engaging and entertaining speaker, whose message challenges mediocrity. Susan has written three books.
Corporate and consulting experience
- Harley-Davidson
- Best Buy
- GE Healthcare
- New York City Leadership Academy
- Boys & Girls Clubs of America
Guest lecturer
- Several University of Wisconsin campuses
- Marquette University
- Alverno College
- University of Michigan Ross School of Business
- University of Chicago Graduate School of Business
Contact
Ask Susan about the class, or bring the conversation to your organization.