A Better Workplace - DRA What We Do

We help organizations, teams and departments run more smoothly and productively by focusing on interpersonal and individual performance, providing the tools people need to work together, form clear agreements and accountability systems, lead change, and thus obtain improved results.

Our programs and services help develop leaders, turn goals into commitments, improving individual, team and organizational results. This not only improves morale and profits, but does so in ways that last, in ways that can truly make a workplace work better.

We stand for healthy and workable workplaces because it directly benefits companies, employees, customers and suppliers, as well as the communities in which the companies operate.

If you are looking for effective onsite training, browse our COURSE CATALOG where we highlight some of our more popular workshops on people skills, leadership, and communication. Contact us for custom or online programs. In addition to these proven programs, we also provide "a la carte" services and custom programs to assist with any situation where results depend on people working well together, such as leading change, coaching or facilitation and mediation.

We have been in business since 1985, and in that time have developed a speciality in performance metrics, scorecards, dashboards and sustainability (the "triple bottom line" of people, the environment and profits). We began by focusing on disputes and interpersonal "jogjams" but have seen great improvements in workplace cultures over the years. We now emphasize effective leadership, teamwork and tools for collaboration, productivity and recognition systems.

Professional facilitation is often an important first step for any workgroup where tensions are high or people are at risk of putting up barriers to collaboration. Our facilitation and mediation services have helped some of the most "at risk" groups put aside their differences and come to agreements about the way ahead. For examples of our track record of success with large, diverse groups, click here.

Type of Service	Summary of Specialization
Organizational Development Consulting	Helping organizations make smoother transitions, continuous process improvement, management communication and leadership, and the human relations aspects of quality and customer service.
Leadership Development	Custom-designed and field-tested workshops & seminars (skills trainings), facilitated negotiation, and coaching. As an introduction or "audition," our principals are often invited to give short talks, lead interactive sessions or mini-workshops. Preview Daniel Robin's video sample for speaking and facilitation (4-1/2 min; 2.73Mb). See list of topics.
Dispute Resolution and Team-building Services	Confidential mediation services and "shuttle diplomacy" to resolve personnel issues; group facilitation and team-building issues to sort out conflicts or problems with team morale, help people deal with change, or handle patterns of dysfunction.
Individual Development Services	Instrumented or observational coaching, Tele-coaching, individual counseling and one-on-one consulting. Here's how to purchase these services.

Available FREE on this website: Sample programs and course descriptions, more than 130 Healthy Workplace article reprints, toolkits and countless tips and ideas to manage and lead more effectively. We also host a discussion forum where registered guests can post their ideas, questions, or get helps with workplace-related issues and challenges.

Synopsis of our approach and philosophy: We emphasize the skills of participatory and collaborative management (as opposed to autocratic or dictatorial), thus we inspire and assist leaders at all levels to use an inclusive style that balances assertiveness (focus on goal or task achievement) with cooperation (flexibility in relating to others, dealing with differences, finding out what others think and know...). This approach, nicknamed "go slow to go fast," doesn't require extra time or giving in to other people's wishes. This is not "soft" leadership. Quite to the contrary, in fact; with practice, collaborative approaches can be more powerful and can lead more strongly and quickly toward the desired outcomes. There's more of a win-win when the other person feels included, consulted. Interpersonally, you can be more directive once there's an increased awareness of the unpredictable and chaotic nature of human interactions. We think we're rational and sensible animals, but even seasoned professionals can, at times, become "distracted" their own reactions brought on by other people having a will of their own, or by stress, conflict, change, or unreasonable expectations of self and others.

Also, having an awareness of one's natural style helps gain additional perspective and increases our chances of success. As each person's style is slightly different, our focus is on helping people to make the most of their strengths while building new skills and abilities.