User login
About TransitionWorks
John Harvey
John Harvey, Co-Founder TransitionWorks:
My greatest source of professional energy is leadership and specifically, helping others achieves success. “Service to others” is my personal mission in life.
For twenty-four years I was employed in the corporate world with several terrific companies - Dun & Bradstreet, Thomas Cook Travel, and American Express, holding various operations management roles, subsequently transitioning to leadership roles in Human Resources. It was in this area that I believed I could have the broadest impact in helping the success of these companies, along with my colleagues, customers, and employees.
This shift in my career path led me to roles focused on leadership development, strategic planning, general HR management, and most recently Senior Vice President of Global Talent at American Express. In this role I was responsible for the personal and professional success of the 70,000+ people employed by the Company. My team consisted of 420 professionals worldwide and I was responsible for a budget of $37 million. I decided to leave American Express and the corporate world as a full-time participant in 2002, in part due to the profound impact 9/11 had on me personally.
Since 2002 I have focused on consulting, writing, coaching/mentoring, serving as a catalyst to groups of leaders, becoming a successful entrepreneur, being a more engaged dad and spouse, and committing to a life of continuous learning. It has been a rewarding (and challenging) time balancing these vocations as I enjoy each of them very much.
I have consulted with, and coached leaders and teams of leaders at Accenture, Best Buy, American Express, the Shanghai Media Group, Merrill Lynch, the US Olympic Committee, and Columbia University. With these companies I have served as a catalyst in helping individuals and teams of people achieve higher levels of performance and personal satisfaction.
In 2002 I founded TransitionWorks (www.transitionworks.org); a ministry aimed at helping people navigate voluntary or involuntary career/life changes to arrive at a more meaningful outcome. More recently, I have been an instructor at Colgate University (Hamilton, NY) and Baruch College, School of Entrepreneurial Studies (NYC) where I have been helping young adults define their leadership voice.
Until June 2007 I owned Freeman's Fish Market (Maplewood, NJ) – a wholesale/retail seafood business. This role provided me with the opportunity to refine my business skills and work closely with my family, as they were all involved in the business.
There are several important things I have learned about myself at this point in my life that, I believe, distinguish who I am professionally and personally:
First, I am very effective at helping people define “what is at stake” in a given situation or set of circumstances. Helping people create a clear and compelling reason to change is the foundation of personal development. If there were no reason to change why would people change?
Second, my personal experience in leadership and entrepreneurial roles (my successes, failures, regrets, and transition ups-and-downs), along with my willingness to share these experiences, provides a high level of empathy, understanding, knowledge, and context – all of which make my commitment to the people I help distinctive. I cannot only share concepts, but real experiences – I have been in their shoes.
Next, I believe the definition of leadership is “creating meaningful change”. Therefore, the work I do is dependent on the individual and being able to connect with their purpose or mission, and aspirations.
I also have a natural ability to engage people and develop trust quickly, enabling me to elicit core stories, values, purpose, and concerns – all of which help me quickly identify the situations where I can add value – or not.
Additionally, I love parenting, I always root for underdogs, and I have a competitive spirit.
Alfred Milanese
Alfred Milanese, co-founder of TransitionWorks and owner, Martin's Pretzels: Owner of a successful small business for more than 25 years, Alfred Milanese considers himself more than a business owner. He is a writer, leader, mediator, teacher, and father, all highly developed occupations which his enterprise has happily facilitated. Since 2003, he has partnered with John Harvey in the very successful development of TransitionWorks.
In 1982 he first established Martin’s (Handmade Pennsylvania Dutch) Pretzels in the New York City Greenmarkets and eventually on line. His Zagat rated business has had a river of editorials in major newspapers, national magazines (The New Yorker, Saveur), Food TV, and has appeared in movies (You've Got Mail among them) and on TV (Sex in the City).
Before his involvement with Martin’s he worked as an editor, advertising copywriter, information director, and…poet. His leadership roles included Chairmanship of the Greenmarket’s Farmer Community Advisory Committee, and presidency of two NYC coop boards.
Mr. Milanese believes that aligning our values and personal language as they relate to every aspect of our lives is the key to success in all of our occupations.
Workshops
TransitionWorks Workshops begin a personal process that takes participants into new thinking territory about change and transition. We work with small groups in two sessions: one evening and one full day (9-4). (Currently scheduled workshops in the first quarter of 2008: ….) In a short time, John and Alfred develop an exhilarating atmosphere with stimulating dialogue, interactive excercises (and some lecturing). For most past participants, workshops have been long on profound impact, helping nearly everyone develop new perspectives to eventually make every ongoing change and transition work for them.
The practical application of Workshop concepts comes to life in follow up sessions and continuing Dialogue Groups, along with Website information exchange and networking.
What'sNext!? ... a one-day TransitionWorks workshop for emerging adults - November 19, 2008 from 10 AM - 4 PM
To all, as you will see I am moving forward with a TransitionWorks program focused on emerging adults. It is a one-day program called "What'sNext!? There is no cost for participating in this program. I am posting this notice should you know of any one that would benefit from participating. I am limiting the program to 12 participants and I have 4-5 openings. If you have any questions please let me know.
The date for the WhatNext!? Workshop is WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 19th from 10 AM - 4 PM. The workshop will be held at the art studio of Bryan Christie Design at 155 Maplewood Avenue (2nd Floor) in Maplewood - enter the door right next to the entrance to Freeman's Fish Market. The location is across the street from the Maplewood Train Station.
Recently, a potential workshop participant sent me a frequently-asked question that might also be on your mind. So, I thought it would be helpful to share the question along with my response.
Question
I want to come but I have my job during the day...so not sure where that leaves me...
Response:
..., these are the dilemmas in life - it comes down to whether you think the day will provide value to your bigger challenges and aspirations (career, goals, transitions, etc.) to the point that you are willing to take the day off. If so, it seems like a no-brainer. If it is not seen as of value, it also seems like a no-brainer. I think it will be of value, based on what I know, but it is your perspective that matters most. I hope this helps - John
BACKGROUND
My motivation for this work is threefold:
1) I still wonder if I knew some of the questions I know now in midlife would I have made different personal and career decisions along the way.
2) Having children aged 23, 21, 18, and 13 I am in the middle of helping my own emerging adults find happiness - and it is difficult. So, I am looking to learn.
3) Finally, working with young people is a source of energy for me and I have learned to follow sources of high energy.
Let me share some additional perspective on why I believe "What'sNext!?" might be valuable for someone you know;
Over the past seven years I have experienced a pretty amazing transformation. On the surface it seems pretty simple - corporate executive to fishmonger to independent consultant to more engaged Dad. On the inside it has been the most challenging period of my life, but also incredibly rewarding. Today, I am at
a place where I am living a life that is much more grounded in who I am - what I value the most in life, my social identity, my talents, and my skills to name a few.
I refer to this as my "inside story". As a result of getting to know these things with more clarity I am much
better at making decisions with my eyes open. I am more likely to make decisions like protecting time for family (the thing I value most), where and who I work with, who I spend time with, and purchasing material things that I want, but most likely don't need.
During this time I have also coached and mentored a number of young people like you, who seem challenged by the same dilemma I recognized - although I was 47! So, my belief is that if people stayed connected, or re-connect to who they are, and the things that are most important to them (your inside story) you might be able to better define the life you want to live. And understand the decisions that will move you in that direction - and/or the consequences of decisions that are not aligned with your inside story. I hope this makes sense.
So, should you consider attending the workshop? Wikipedia references the book "The Quarterlife Crisis" by Alexandra Robbins and Abby Wilner in defining if you should be concerned. Wiipedia provides the following characteristics in defining a quarterlife crisis:
*Feeling "not good enough" because one can't find a job that is at one's academic/intellectual level *Frustration with relationships, the working world, and finding a suitable job or career
*Confusion of identity
*Insecurity regarding the near future
*Insecurity concerning long-term plans, life goals
*Insecurity regarding present accomplishments
*Re-evaluation of close interpersonal relationships
*Disappointment with one's job
*Nostalgia for university, college, high school or elementary school life
*Tendency to hold stronger opinions
*Boredom with social interactions
*Loss of closeness to high school and college friends
*Financially-rooted stress (overwhelming college loans, unanticipatedly high cost of living, etc.)
*Loneliness
*Desire to have children
*A sense that everyone is, somehow, doing better than you
I believe the agenda I have planned for "What'sNext?" can benefit participants in facing other transitions that cross your path during life. I can't provide the answers as they must come from within if you want to lead your life. I will, however, provide context, knowledge, and tools that will help you provide the answers that most benefit you - allowing you to make decisions with your eyes wide open.
Please RSVP as soon as possible and contact me if you have any questions. Safe travels - John 862-216-2425 or johnharveyt2p@comcast.net
