As a seasoned executive with years of experience leading in challenging mission-critical environments and under intense public scrutiny, I understand how a stressful environment shapes you and requires that you succeed today while securing the future. I learned early on that organizational and professional success hinges on the ability to grow and develop as a leader while increasing the leadership capacity of others – all while focusing on the real-life and safety nature of the mission. I believe that a leader’s greatest legacy should be preparing the organization for success after they leave.
My Leadership Journey
The foundation for my leadership journey started in the construction industry. My dad taught me the value of hard work through his example. In my youth, I learned how to swing a hammer, pour concrete, use a shovel, and maneuver a trowel. The tools of the trade weren’t as important as what I learned about leading teams. Not long after high school, I led my first crew. Many of the leadership lessons from my blue-collar days stuck with me through graduate school and into my professional career leading teams and ultimately, leading leaders.
For 12 years, I had the honor of serving as the Executive Director of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, one of the largest organizations of its kind in the world. I am proud of the many operational and policy innovations we implemented over the years, but even more significant is the culture of leadership we wove into the fabric of the organization. The number of impactful and successful leaders I had the honor to work with are too numerous to count.
Guiding Leaders Toward Significance
I started this executive coaching and consulting business because I care deeply about helping leaders not just survive or cope with the withering heat that comes with leading in high-stakes, high-stress environments, but to help equip them and their teams to navigate relentlessly volatile and unstable environments today, while preparing for the future.
I believe it is vital for mission-critical organizations to have strong leaders at every level. The consequential nature and urgency of today can cause you to lose sight of your responsibility to develop leadership capacity in yourself and others. You must be intentional about it and make it part of how you manage every day. I guide leaders through this process so they can enhance their own leadership skills and prepare the organization for the years ahead.
When I am not working with leaders, I enjoy relaxing in my large vegetable garden, reading books, and spending time with family and great friends.
Why Choose
Livingston Consulting
You’re the one everyone looks to for guidance during crises and uncertainty, so there’s an immense weight of responsibility resting on your shoulders. Instead of just surviving or coping, I’m here to guide you towards building greater resiliency and effectiveness, so you and your team thrive and win the future.
I have a proven track record as an executive leading in complex mission-critical roles and crisis-driven environments. I know what it takes to lead leaders and build a climate of high expectations for success today while building a vision and leadership capacity for the future.
My experience and knowledge about how to lead in a high-stakes context where the challenges have real significance and consequences will shape and inform our work together. You can expect a grounded, realistic, and empathetic approach as we structure an engagement to address your challenges.
As a certified executive coach, I have merged my executive experience leading in high-stress environments with my educational background and training in emotional intelligence, stress management, and resiliency to create an impactful and valuable executive coaching approach.
As someone who has walked through the fire like you, I am passionate about helping leaders and teams who work in high-stress environments become stronger and more resilient.
Certificates
Expand Your Leadership Skills & Capacity
The ResiliencePlus Leadership Framework
You can equip yourself and your team to successfully navigate highly unstable environments while also strategizing for the future. We accomplish this together by utilizing my ResiliencePlus Leadership Framework, which is customized to meet your specific challenges.
This approach is not a checklist or a short-term fix; it is foundational work that will enhance your resiliency and vision as a leader. It is built on the foundation of my executive experience and proven track record of developing effective and resilient leaders while leading in mission-critical and crisis-driven environments. If you are willing to invest in yourself and your team, you can go from reacting in the moment to responding with intention.
Throughout the process, I will lead you and your team through:
- 1:1 coaching
- Professional assessments
- Tools and techniques specific to high-pressure environments
- How to effectively handle short-term crises, while…
- Creating a strategic focus for the future
These three interlocking components of the ResiliencePlus Leadership Framework are mutually reinforcing. Each component is necessary to strengthen the overall leadership structure in the organization.
01.
Variable Focus
Leaders need to know when to zoom in and when to zoom out - effortlessly switching from a swift, decisive tactical focus, to the essential wide-angle view required to see strategically over the horizon for success into the future. The ability to have variable focus is a key to effectiveness.
02.
Look In The Mirror
Looking into the mirror requires a leader to recognize they are not a finished product. They must develop greater self awareness, emotional agility, and resilience. Leaders must also summon a willingness to step back and orchestrate rather than play the instruments.
03.
No Heroes
A leader has an obligation to the organization to proactively lead its leaders. A robust leadership pipeline isn’t just for the future. High-stakes, high-stress organizations count on significant leadership from a wide range of leaders today. In this context, leadership development is about shaping the way you lead and manage every day.