The Vitalwork team

Vitalwork Partners

Mike Cook

Position: Founder, Partner, Humorist

The one compelling reason I do what I do: I see the “workplace” as the primary arena for the fullest expression of each of our talents in service of our mutual interests. When this possibility is suppressed, suffering results. I am dedicated to reducing suffering in the workplace.

What I would do for a living if I couldn’t do this: If I had the talent, I'd probably play golf for a living.

My favorite “famous” (or not-so-famous) quotation: “…a new opportunity has been given to us: thou shalt love your life with all your strength and energy, growing daily in appreciation of the joys of life; and you shall allow and aid where possible your neighbor to love his and do the same, using common norms of justice to determine life's priorities. Live to make life livable: fighting when necessary, learning by whatever means possible, having a good time when you feel like it, respecting life's mysteries in an active, not a passive manner. In short, love life—and do whatever you want.” —Matthew Fox, On Becoming a Magical Musical Mystical Bear

The one worst thing I've seen people do in organizations: Not recognize that the vast majority of people come to work each day to truly accomplish something worth the time of their life they will spend there

The one best thing I‘ve seen someone do in an organization: Give people the ability and accountability to make decisions that leave them feeling trusted and in partnership with management

Book I’m recommending these days: I always recommend Peter Block's Freedom and Accountability at Work. This is a grown-up book that provides no easy answers but it does provide for developing some important questions.

Best movie I‘ve seen in the last 5 years: This is the toughest question. I see at least two films a month. I think I would recommend O Brother Where Art Thou? from the Coen Brothers.

Given 3 hours of absolutely unclaimed, free time, I would: Read my latest New Yorker or one of the books that's received an award for outstanding fiction, or hit about three hundred shots at the driving range

Favorite moment at work: Anytime I see one of my associates or one of our clients take an action that creates new reality for them about what they can accomplish

Thing about me that most surprises people: I am really uncomfortable in "social settings."

Favorite Cuisine: Any dinner at home with my wife

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James Mahan

Position: Partner and Senior Consultant

The one compelling reason I do what I do: I can’t help myself.

My favorite “famous” (or not-so-famous) quotation: “All it takes to make a difference is the courage to stop proving I was right about being unable to make a difference…to stop assigning cause for my inability to the circumstances outside myself…and to see that fear of being a failure is a lot less important than the unique opportunity I have to make a difference." – Werner Erhard

The one worst thing I've seen people do in organizations: Give up on their dreams, get resigned and cynical about the organizations that they work for, and think they can make it "under the radar" until they retire. Even if they do make it, they lose.

Book I’m recommending these days: Ishmael by Daniel Quinn

Best two movies I've seen in the last 5 years: Field of Dreams and Big Fish

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Elizabeth Fredericks

Position: Managing Partner and Senior Consultant

The one compelling reason I do what I do: I know my life’s work is to serve others by being involved in transformation in the workplace. This type of work has no bounds—it impacts every element of people’s lives and generates benefits that can show up immediately or in three years! All I know is that this work helps people. That’s why I’ll be doing this type of work for the rest of my life.

What I would do for a living if I couldn’t do this: Pastry chef

My favorite “famous” (or not-so-famous) quotation: “When people show you who they are, believe them.”

Why it's worth it for people to take the risks involved in Vitalwork: Without taking risks, you never know what's possible, what you're truly capable of, how much growing there is left to do. Taking risks is essential to achievement. For those of us on this planet who are here to make a difference and achieve, taking risks is part of the game. Seeing what you can create by taking risks make them so worth it.

The one worst thing I've seen people do in organizations: Remain silent. Silence in organizations is deadly—it kills honesty, collaboration, communication, teamwork, performance, results achievement, morale. Some people fear bad news and they don't want to hear it. I say, if you're surrounded by silence and aren't hearing bad news, there is trouble brewing.

Given 3 hours of absolutely unclaimed, free time, I would: Read. Kayak. Hike. Take a nap outside.

Favorite moment at work: When I am facilitating one of our programs and see people "shifting" (how they see things, how they view life, how they think and feel) right in front of me. I am so thankful to be a part of that experience.

Thing about me that most surprises people: That I summitted Kilimanjaro

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Kristin Clauss

Position: Partner and Controller

The one compelling reason I do what I do: By focusing on the financial direction of the Company, I can free up the people around me to do the fantastic work that they do.

What I would do for a living if I couldn’t do this: I’d be a middle school teacher. I want what I do with my life to impact others. Teachers can have such an incredible impact on their students and that is a great age to have conversations that contribute to their self-esteem and their future directions. It would be an honor to have that time with them and have the opportunity to impact their lives.

Given 3 hours of absolutely unclaimed, free time, I would: Take a hike in a quiet place. Being in the outdoors helps put me in a place of reflection and gives me great perspective.

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Vitalwork Team Members

Ann Johnson

Position: Sales and Business Development

The one compelling reason why I do what I do: When the products I am responsible to market greatly improve any situation, company or organization, I believe in my heart and soul my job is both a vocation and an avocation…and that’s a great life.

What I would do for a living if I couldn’t do this: Find another opportunity to combine my vocation and avocation.

My favorite “famous” (or not-so-famous) quotation: “To the world you are just one person but to the person you could mean the world.” – Unknown

“There are only 2 ways to live your life. One as though nothing is a miracle. The other as though everything is a miracle.” – Albert Einstein

Book I’m recommending these days: Chasing Daylight by Eugene O’Kelly. An eloquent confirmation that our lives and the people in them are temporary joys, but the time we spend enjoying them is never lost.

Best movie I‘ve seen in the last 5 years: The Day After Tomorrow

Given 3 hours of absolutely unclaimed, free time, I would: Spontaneously contact a friend to catch up

Favorite artist: Georgia O’Keeffe—unique, authentic and true to herself

Favorite Cuisine: Fried clams

Susan Silver

Position: Operations

The one compelling reason why I do what I do: I believe life should be filled with never-ending learning and growth, and great relationships (in all arenas of your life). Being a part of Vitalwork allows me to have that in my own life and the important bonus of being able to bring it to others.

What I would do for a living if I couldn’t do this: Professional musician (did that question infer that I should have the necessary skills?? If so, then I need to pick something else!)

My favorite “famous” (or not-so-famous) quotation: “The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.” – Socrates

Why it's worth it for people to take the risks involved in Vitalwork: If getting the life/career/organization/results you really want was easy and risk-free, everyone would likely have it!

The one best thing I‘ve seen someone do in an organization: An employee having the courage to stand up and talk about a “sacred cow” that has been getting in the way of getting work done after years of being broken down by an oppressive manager. The space was cleared for this to happen by a new manager who encouraged employees to participate more in creating a successful organization without fear of reprisal.

Best movie I‘ve seen in the last 5 years: Little Miss Sunshine

Given 3 hours of absolutely unclaimed, free time, I would: Play the piano ‘til my fingers hurt…

Favorite moment at work: When a person realizes they have control of creating the life they really want and then begin to see choices and options they hadn’t seen before

Thing about me that most surprises people: What a country bumpkin I am—most people think I am a city girl

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Allison Weise

Position: Operations

Book I’m recommending these days: I have been telling everyone about Dancing Naked at the Edge of Dawn, by Kris Radish. This fictional piece, as well as two of her other books, is about a journey that one has to take in life to come to the realization that you have the power to make your own choices.

Favorite Cuisine: Anything edible that has a jalapeno on it. I eat jalapenos on turkey sandwiches, potato skins, in soups, salads, eggs, burgers, and if you have any other ideas on what I could add jalapenos to, let me know.

Thing about me that most surprises people: I have been with my fiancé since I was 13 years old, and we finally got engaged after being together for 10 years.

Favorite artist: Henri Matisse is my favorite artist because of the sheer happiness that I feel when I see one of his pieces. He has said, “I have always tried to hide my own efforts and wished my works to have the lightness and joyousness of a springtime which never lets anyone suspect the labours it cost.” As a person who is in a supporting position here at Vitalwork, I try and achieve the same outcome for my colleagues.

My favorite “famous” or not so famous quote: Some of my favorite quotes are from Kenneth Burke who was a philosopher, and a literary theorist. Some of his most interesting quotes focus on the subject of vocabulary. “Men seek for vocabularies that are reflections of reality. To this end, they must develop vocabularies that are selections of reality. And any selection of reality must, in certain circumstances, function as a deflection of reality.” —Kenneth Burke

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Delivery Partners

Lisa Bouchard

Position: Program Facilitator

The one compelling reason I do what I do: To make a difference…in someone’s perspective, relationships, career or life

What I would do for a living if I couldn’t do this: Work in a day care center. I love being around kids.

My favorite “famous” (or not-so-famous) quotation: “Love like you’ve never been hurt, work like you don’t need money, and dance like nobody is watching.”

Books I’m recommending these days: The Invitation by Oriah Mountain Dreamer, The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz, Your Best Year Yet by Jinny S. Ditzler

Given 3 hours of absolutely unclaimed, free time, I would: Hike to the peak of a small mountain, read a book that nourished my soul, enjoy a huge banana split (extra hot fudge) or have an amazing conversation with someone I love.

Favorite moment at work: At the end of our leadership program, when the participants share what they have accomplished. You can usually find me in the back of the room (eyes filled with tears) in awe of the hard work they have done. They see things differently…their cynicism is gone, their suffering is alleviated, they are clear about their unique contribution, their relationships are stronger, they are totally engaged in the work they have chosen to do. They are now committed to a future that wasn’t even possible when they started.

Thing about me that most surprises people: I was a total “tomboy” growing up…and when it’s time to wear something besides a business suit…I still am (some things never change).

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