Leadership & Executive Coach 🗣️ | Helping Leaders Maximize Their Potential 🚀 | CEO of Leadership Coach Group

I am a Harvard-educated CEO and PCC-certified leadership/executive/life coach.  Our Leadership Coach Group was recognized by Manage HR Magazine as a Top 10 organizational development firm.  We provide executive coaching, leadership training, leadership assessments, psychological safety team coaching, and inspirational speakers in the U.S., U.K., Canada, India, and other countries globally.  

The BBC World Service recently featured me as an international coaching expert. I have collaborated with 150+ leaders on five continents to bring out their best performance & more fulfilled life -- including clients at Google, Amazon, Reddit, Sony, Microsoft, the U.S. government, nonprofits, and many others.

Listening deeply to clients enables me to tailor my approach.  I employ 360 assessment data, mindfulness techniques, action plan development, leadership theories, music, happiness research, leadership articles & videos, improv comedy training, & more to serve clients in a powerful and fun way.

I led webinars on leading remote/hybrid teams, creating a culture of positivity, and navigating the way forward during the pandemic public health & economic crisis. I trained an Australian C-suite on "How to Lead Like a Coach," a European team on "Self-Leadership and Happiness," and co-presented a women’s leadership webinar. I am conducting original research into leading human-machine (artificial intelligence) teams and co-presented initial findings at the International Leadership Association's (ILA) Global Conference.

I am a lifelong learner.  I studied and collaborated with leadership scholars James MacGregor Burns (Pulitzer Prize-winner), Georgia Sorenson (ILA co-founder), and Ron Heifetz (Harvard University). As a part-time Ph.D. student in Organizational Leadership, I increase my capabilities and learn from the executive clients with whom I am privileged to collaborate.

Over two decades, I served in leadership roles at the White House, U.S. Departments of Justice, Education, Homeland Security, and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) – in communications, employee engagement, innovation, intergovernmental liaison, knowledge management, human resources/leadership development, information technology, administration, & high-profile multi-agency initiatives.

During a decade of FBI service, I was the first global chief of internal communications, deputy chief knowledge officer (intersection of people, processes, IT systems, and innovation), CIO certified, and co-director of a multi-agency law enforcement initiative reducing violence in the U.S.'s most violent cities.

High-performing teams rarely happen by accident.

They’re built through intentional leadership. Leaders who are clear about purpose. Leaders who create psychological safety. Leaders who invite shared ownership instead of carrying everything themselves.

When those elements are in place, performance stops being reactive. It becomes sustainable.

In this carousel, I share strategies that help leaders build teams that don’t just perform under pressure, but grow stronger over time.

You can read the full article here:
https://lnkd.in/eWb2RKPJ

I’m curious — what feels like the biggest performance barrier on your team right now?

#leadershipdevelopment #highperformingteams #executivecoaching #organizationalgrowth #lcg

Michael Seelman

Psychological Safety Practitioner & Trainer

 Stakeholder Centered Coaching

Chief Information Officer

Professional Certified Coach (PCC)

ICF Member Badge

ADVANCED CERTIFIED COACH PROGRAM

Certified Knowledge Manager

 We are a global firm of top-level coaches that offer leadership/executive coaching, team coaching/psychological safety, 360-degree leadership assessments, leadership training, personality assessments (CliftonStrengths, DiSC, Myers-Briggs), and much more. 
 Our passion is serving clients around the world virtually and in-person by providing science-based, results-driven methodologies.
 Give us a call at (202) 953-6284 anytime (24 hours a day 7 days a week) or schedule a time to chat about your goals:  https://michaelseelman-leadershipcoachgroup.zohobookings.com/#/customer/leadershipcoachgroup.  
 We would be honored to serve you!

CEO | Leadership Coach | Inspirational Speaker

	We "Help Eagles Soar!" through our coaching, consulting, and inspiring public speaking services.
	Expert on leading and coaching remote teams--successes highlighted in several books.  
     Psychological safety certified team coach and trainer.
     Facilitate individuals reaching their full potential through leadership, executive, and life coaching.
     Contact me at michael.seelman@churchillconsultants.com or 202-656-2351.
	Deliver quick 1-hour training for teams on "Leading Remote Teams During the Pandemic," "Self-Leadership & Happiness," "How to Lead Like a Coach," "Breaking the Habits that Keep Women Stuck," and other topics.
	Coach and train individuals to enhance their public speaking ability and executive presence.
	Serve as a motivational speaker at events.
	Certified Marshall Goldsmith executive coach (see below for details) providing Stakeholder Centered Coaching for supervisors, managers, and executives.
      Provide leadership, management, and communications consulting services for organizations.

Principal Consultant & Coach

WHO I HELP:
	I help successful people become even more successful and achieve positive, lasting change in behavior; for themselves, their people, and their teams.

OUR PROCESS:
	As part of Marshall Goldsmith’s select team of certified coaches, I use a Stakeholder-Centered Coaching process to help leaders stop behaviors that don’t add value and replace them with ones that do.  The leader's stakeholders provide input on areas for growth and suggestions for the leader's action plan.
	Marshall Goldsmith is widely recognized as one of the world's most influential leadership thinkers and top executive coach.  He is the author of the best-selling books ‘What Got You Here Won’t Get You There’ and ‘Triggers,’ 
	Our coaching process is proven, measurable, used worldwide by over 11,000 leaders and has a 95% success rate.

WHO IS BENEFITING:
	Over 150 of the Fortune 500 use this coaching process to help their leaders perform at a higher level including Ford, IBM, Johnson & Johnson, Microsoft, Toyota, 3M, Apple, AT&T, KPMG, and Intel.
	Public sector and nonprofit leaders at the FBI, U.S. Department of Defense, World Bank, American Red Cross, and many others have also used this process to accelerate leadership growth.

Certified Executive Coach

	Led the agency's employee engagement and innovation efforts for a global workforce of 50,000+ employees.
	Oversaw the IdeaFactory program, an award-winning employee suggestion program harnessing Web 2.0 technologies.
	Provided communications advice to executives and supervises the development and implementation of communications plans, multimedia, newsletters, reports, and other products.
	Coordinated responses to Congressional correspondence, media inquiries, FOIA requests, audits, and draft legislation regarding human capital topics.
	Organized conferences, training, webinars, special events, and other meetings.
	Managed social media and online channels including Twitter, a blog, and Intranet content.

Director, Communications and Engagement Division

	Advised the Chief Financial Officer and head of the Facilities and Logistics Services Division on organizational change, increased performance, strategy, and communications.
	Conducted benchmarking visits to Fortune 500 corporations to collect and adapt management best practices for use by the FBI, including ways to better align strategy and budget.
	Provided quality analysis for and recommended solutions to increase efficiency and effectiveness of FBI-wide programs.
	Managed enterprise-wide projects to deliver corporate services “better, faster, and cheaper.” 
	Developed strategic initiatives and operational performance metrics for Finance and Facilities divisions, including budget and financial management, human resources management, acquisition management, IT, facilities, and other administrative services.
	Led initiative to enhance customer communications, services access, and satisfaction.
	Implemented programs to enhance employee engagement and professional development.

Principal Business Advisor

	Supervised more than 35 people including three subordinate supervisors, supervisory agents, intelligence analysts, management and program analysts, PhDs, and IT specialists.
	Led the agency’s promotion of innovation, collection and sharing of job knowledge, information sharing and safeguarding, and private sector outreach to Fortune 500 corporations.
	Guided and led the Office’s strategic planning and communications efforts.
	Provided knowledge management information and advice to international law enforcement delegations.
	Led the interagency Federal Knowledge Management Community that includes knowledge management officers from the FBI, Department of Defense, DHS, HHS, FCC, NASA, CIA, State Department, & others.
	Advised the agency’s senior leadership on private industry outreach, data analysis, information access security, knowledge management practices, and collaborative technologies.

Deputy Chief Knowledge Officer

	Chief of internal communications, first person to hold this position for the large agency.
	Developed internal communications function, crafted strategic objectives, created rigorous assessment process and hired communications professionals, established policy, and developed robust network with line of business communicators.
     Member of FBI pandemic flu (H1NI) task force.
	Supervised team of 12 communications professionals dedicated to engaging, informing, and motivating the Bureau’s global workforce of 33,000+ employees to more effectively accomplish the agency’s mission.  
	Advised the agency CEO and other senior executives on communicating the agency’s strategy, major policy changes, and key initiatives; managed agency Intranet content and online collaboration capabilities; provided communication training; produced corporate all-employee town hall meetings, videos, and e-mail messages; and published the Bureau’s employee magazine, hallway electronic billboard messages, weekly electronic newsletter, and human resources benefits periodical.
	Served on executive council of the agency CEO’s Mid-Management Advisory Committee.
	Spoke regularly at national and regional-level conferences for communications professionals.
	Advised other agencies developing internal communications functions and redesigning intranets, including the U.S. Marshals Service, CIA, DHS, and Australia’s New South Wales Police Force.
	Co-led redesign of the agency’s Intranet with nearly one million pages of content: deploying an intuitive organization scheme, simple content management, consistent look and feel, and cutting-edge social media and collaboration tools to increase employee productivity.

Chief of Internal Communications

	Led a multi-agency team reinventing the way consumers of U.S. Department of Justice resources interface with the Department and enhance their ability to reduce violent crime.  Speaking to the national media at the VRN’s first Summit, the Attorney General described the initiative as a “historic, collaborative, and highly data-driven effort to prevent and reduce violence.”
	Supervised the work of a 40+ person matrixed team from across DOJ agencies (FBI, DEA, ATF, U.S. Marshals  Service, and grants/training components) to engage officials in high violence cities, increase their awareness of DOJ resources, understand their violence challenges and strategies, and deliver Department resources in a more streamlined and impactful way.
	Oversaw the development of digital tools – such as websites, mobile apps, and webinars – to enable engagement, sharing of best practices, and access to training, publications, technologies and other resources.
	Oriented, trained, and motivated team members and Federal partners to work with local law enforcement officials in a multi-disciplinary and collaborative way that is tailored to local needs, cultures, and strategies.
	Helped form or enhance local coalitions of mayors, police chiefs, prosecutors, and Federal agents.  
	Established the requirements and oversees creation of systems to track the delivery of resources, customer satisfaction, customer behavior change, community engagement, and a performance metrics dashboard.
	Briefed Congressional and agency leaders on program goals, structure, and accomplishments.
	Oversaw the planning of high-level intergovernmental conferences, webinars, and other meetings.
	1-year temporary detail assignment from a DOJ law enforcement agency.
	Promoted scientific evidence-based approaches to violence reduction through the provision of nationally recognized Subject Matter Experts, training, technology, law enforcement operational support, publications, and other resources.

Co-Director, USDOJ Violence Reduction Network

	Co-led combined DOJ/DHS team developing a national law enforcement television series on suicide bombing cited by U.S. News and World Report.  Expanded the agency’s distance learning capability - linked to live audiences through 5 broadcast systems simultaneously.  Reached over 4,000 officials and agents on first run, including JTTF executive boards & U.S. Attorney Offices.  Program rated: 4.2/5.
	Drafted concept papers for the agency CEO and other executives proposing new initiatives.
	Wrote meeting agendas, talking points, and PowerPoint presentations for executives.
	Helped start new office, drafted office’s strategic plan and progress reports to the agency CEO.
	Liaison efforts secured outside resources to train additional 6,000 officers in counterterrorism.
	Managed several million dollars in a variety of multi-agency counterterrorism, crime prevention, gang violence, and intelligence & information sharing grant programs and projects.
	Led a Federal interagency team and 11-city community of practice network to reduce gun violence. 
     As the SafeCities Project Director, communicated directly with a mayor, police chiefs, nonprofit executives, & community leaders working with the federal steering committee to reduce gun violence. 
	SafeCities project leadership, communication channels, and knowledge management strategy featured in several publications including the books Cultivating Communities of Practice and Results at the Edge: the Ten Rules of Government Reform.
	Represented the SafeCities network at local press conferences, national meetings, and conferences.
	Facilitated regular conference calls between federal agency representatives and city leaders. 
	Co-led team producing a national satellite TV show with town hall meetings in over 50 communities. 
	Managed program web site, coordinated division's web content, & helped redesign agency's web site.

Acting Chief of Staff/Special Assistant, Project Director, et al.

	Temporary detail to the Vice President's reinventing government office.
     Co-wrote Vice Presidential letters, commendations, program descriptions, and press releases. 
	Co-wrote/edited report to Vice President & Attorney General on crime mapping & data-driven mgt. 
	Pioneered a federal government "community of practice" knowledge management model to promote peer-to-peer learning between cities with the coordinated support of federal law enforcement agencies. 
	Coordinated the office's reinvention support to the Health Care Financing Administration, assisted with performance measurement, customer satisfaction, and writing materials in plain language.

Agency Representative, National Partnerhship for Reinventing Government

I serve as a volunteer Instructor in the Uniformed Services University (USU) F. Edward Hebert School of Medicine in the Leader and Leadership Education and Development Program (USU LEAD) housed in the Military/Emergency Medicine Department.  The LEAD mission is "to forge health leaders who will care for uniformed services personnel and their families."  In the program, we train U.S. military medical officers in leadership based on the Leader/ Follower conceptual framework and delivered across the years of education and training at USU.

I have been a volunteer with the Maryland State chapter of the Hugh O'Brian Youth (HOBY) Leadership since 1988. Most recently I served several terms as Vice President of the Board of Trustees and continue to present at HOBY events.

Help people learn about and be welcomed into the International Coach Academy training program.

High-performance teams don't happen by accident

Leadership & Executive Coach 🗣️ | Accelerating AI Organizational Change 🚀 | CEO of Leadership Coach Group

Do people on your team feel truly safe being honest with you?

Most leaders I work with care deeply about creating open environments. But psychological safety is shaped not by intention alone but more by everyday reactions. How we respond to pushback. How we handle mistakes. Whether we show appreciation when someone disagrees.

The ten practices in this post are a starting point, not a complete list. There are many ways to build safety, and most of them come down to small, consistent behaviors.

I have seen teams transform when a leader made it clear that candor was welcome and respected.

From your experience, what makes the biggest difference in creating psychological safety on a team?

Most leaders genuinely want honest feedback from their teams. What many do not always see is how much their own reactions determine whether that honesty ever shows up.

Psychological safety is not something you create through a policy or a statement of values. It is built moment by moment. It is shaped by how we respond when someone challenges our thinking, how we handle mistakes, and whether we show real appreciation when a team member takes the risk to disagree.

The ten practices in this post are simply a starting point. There are many more ways to strengthen psychological safety, and no single list can capture them all. What matters most is the consistency behind the behavior.

Psychological safety is not about lowering standards or avoiding accountability. It is about creating an environment where people can bring their full thinking to the table.

As you reflect on your own leadership, what signals are you sending, intentionally or unintentionally, about whether it is safe to speak?

#psychologicalsafety #leadershipdevelopment

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