Elevate Now Consulting

05/04/2023

We work for a future where opportunity and prosperity thrive for all in Bonner County, Idaho.

05/04/2023

All our Inland Northwest friends, check out this event from the Pend Oreille Economic Partnership next week -the continuation of the series What's Happening Up North Economic Summit - pepidaho.org

02/26/2022

Here’s a post for both my fellow DEI geeks and outdoor enthusiasts.

I recently read an article by AG Lafley (former P&G CEO) about Always’ “Like A Girl” campaign, culminating in their iconic 2014 Super Bowl ad. I hadn’t ever seen it, as I stopped watching traditional television over 20 years ago. But I really liked it. Coincidentally and related, a short (13 min.) documentary “Girl Crush” featuring my eldest daughter Jessica recently made a tour and is now viewable on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPf1673oP0A&ab_channel=SalomonTV

I am so glad we raised our four daughters fully empowered and confident, it’s a joy to watch all of them do what they do best!

Girl Crush tells the story of five women skiing and camping in the heart of winter; forging friendships, collaborating on decisions, and learning to be proud...

09/14/2021

I am honored to have been invited to present at the Manager World Summit 2021, running all this week, September 13-17.

My presentation entitled Clarity, Alignment and Leadership – A New Model, will be on Wednesday September 15th. Lessons learned from two of my four daughters have been incorporated into the talk – lots of fun for a proud papa! Click below to learn about this awesome event and register if you find it of interest.

You will find both free and paid options. I know several of the presenters to be accomplished consultants, educators and business and executive coaches, and enthusiastically look forward to learning more about the rest.

Click here to learn more and register: https://www.managerworldsummit.com/?ref=38718-Brent-Baker

07/23/2021

Can anyone think of an example of a company that failed to understand this principle of modern work culture? (No names please, we do not want to participate in any shaming behavior).

Can you identify or quantify any consequences that resulted from said failure of leadership and culture?

06/06/2021

I snapped this photo many years ago while visiting my daughter who was doing her Junior Year Abroad in Beijing. I was really struck by the contrast of the huge billboard for the modern super-fast car in the background with the woman on a bicycle transporting a half ton or more of wooden beams on a bicycle! While most might comment on the backwardness of the latter, I actually wonder if all the smog and consumerism is really worth it? Are we possibly losing something of greater value by running headlong and somewhat mindlessly into the future? I don’t give a twit about fast cars, broad boulevards, or think that there is anything at all ok with diminishing the air we breathe, but I would give anything for a conversation with the woman on that bicycle. -Brent

05/17/2021

I love this photo my daughter took of my grandson working with me in the woods. It is so very much human nature to learn, to be engaged, to participate, to gain confidence, to find joy in work. I am so grateful we chose to raise our children (and now grandchildren sporadically) in North Idaho, on a ranch, doing forestry, building things. They all learned work ethic and developed a visceral understanding of how real value is generated in an organic, almost effortless way. They learned to work hard and play hard. I don’t think any of them would have wanted to be raised any other way.

04/26/2021

I have spent the past 5 months working with the World Business and Executive Coaching Summit (WBECS) and the ACE Accelerator program to level up my executive coaching skills. It was a privilege to work with David Goldsmith and David Peterson.

David Goldsmith, amongst other accomplishments, co-founded the Foundation of Coaching which later became the Institute of Coaching at Harvard.

David Peterson is also a pioneer in the field of coaching, and served for 10 years as Director of Google’s Executive Coaching & Development services, leading a team of 100 in house executive coaches as part of a groundbreaking L&D program.

I am now an Enhanced Practitioner and am looking forward to participating in their Master Practitioner training and certification program to continue the arc of my lifelong learning! I am feeling truly blessed to be able to learn from the best and to be of service to others.

Brent Baker, Elevate Now Consulting

04/13/2021

Last week I had the honor of being a guest on Luke Jean-Louis’ business podcast, The Deep Voice Man Interviews Professionals.

I think I surprised him a little when he asked me, “What would you say to someone who feels they don’t think a coach is necessary?”

I replied that I would say, “You’re right, it’s not necessary. It’s only useful – if you want to compete. If you want to excel, grow, get the most out of life, then be a committed life-long learner and get some coaching as well. Otherwise, if you are comfortable with or committed to mediocrity, and are ok with paying for mistakes that weren’t at all necessary, carry on without!

Every golfer in the PGA and WPGA, every tennis player in the WTA and ATP, every opera singer and Broadway star, the world’s best surgeons, it doesn’t matter who or what, the best at everything all have coaches. They seek it out and they wouldn’t have it any other way”.

Click the button below to listen to the podcast – and don’t forget to subscribe for more great content. https://anchor.fm/thedeepvoicemanshow/episodes/Brent-Baker-Business-Doctor-eup6ra

Brent Baker, Elevate Now Consulting

04/03/2021

I often get asked for reading recommendations on the topic of company culture. Bearing in mind that company culture, leadership and teambuilding are intricately intertwined, here are some great authors to start out with:

1. Amy Edmondson – expert in psychological safety in businesses and organizations. Founded the concept in 1999. Professor at Harvard, author, Ted Talks
2. Brene Brown – Vulnerability in Leadership. Author (I am just finishing Dare to Lead now). University of Houston, Ted Talks
3. Liz Wiseman – Author of Multipliers – how the best leaders make everyone smarter. Formerly at Oracle, now a researcher, author and consultant.
4. Patrick Lencioni (the Table Group) – Author, The Five Dysfunctions of a Team. Tech exec who became a consultant and world leader in Organizational Health.

It is not lost on me that 3 of the 4 are women. I think I hear glass shattering…

-Brent Baker, Elevate Now Consulting