Group Dynamic

03/11/2026

Spending time outdoors and helping teams work better together are two of my favorite things. Recently I got to combine them by leading Iowa's County Conservation System leaders through DiSC, while also enjoying a beautiful cabin and learning center at Cordova Park, part of Marion County Conservation. Let me know if you'd like to talk about an offsite training for your team. I know a great location! https://groupdynamic.net/solutions/

28/10/2026

Are your one-on-ones worth the time, for you and your team members? Here’s a look at keeping these conversations valuable.

In my post from last month, Culture Rarely Drifts All at Once, I wrote about regular one-on-one conversations as a way to notice changes in a team before they become bigger problems. At Group Dynamic, each staff member schedules a weekly one-on-one with me. That consistency gives us an opportunity t...

22/10/2026

Seth, the Steel Project Manager, understood the assignment. The Four Levels of Maturity exercise is one of the most effective and common things I do, because it clarifies the behaviors we want, the ones that stand in the way, and the systems that enable more productivity. Seth made the most of having the red marker in his hand and came up with examples that were the most marker-specific I’ve seen in doing this exercise hundreds of times.

You can read more about the Four Levels of Maturity here: https://groupdynamic.net/what-three-things-make-the-biggest-difference-part-one/

13/10/2026

There are positions with different levels of responsibility, but there are no low-level people. How we treat the people doing everyday work shapes whether they feel valued, and whether they stay. Click to read more.

For a while, “Nobody wants to work anymore” became an easy explanation for turnover, poor performance, and staffing problems. But I kept noticing something that made that explanation difficult to accept: organizations in the same region, facing the same economy and labor market, were having very...

07/10/2026

We’ve added new keynote options and helpful event planning resources to the Group Dynamic website!

Explore the keynotes to see what connects with your audience, and visit our Meeting Planner Resources page for bios, one-sheets, photos, and more. Whether you’re considering a keynote or preparing for an upcoming event with us, it’s all there to help you plan. Take a look: https://groupdynamic.net/keynote/

30/09/2026

Culture shifts often begin with small moments that leaders miss. Regular conversations can help you catch those signals before they become bigger problems. Click to read more about spotting the early signs of cultural drift.

Culture problems rarely arrive as a single dramatic event. More often, they develop through a series of ordinary moments that seem relatively minor at the time. A decision is announced without enough context. A respected employee leaves, and no one explains what will happen next. A manager who once....

16/09/2026

“Culture fit” shouldn’t mean hiring people who think and work just like us. Strong teams share important values while bringing different perspectives and strengths. Click to read more in my latest post.

“Hire for attitude, train for skills” can be useful advice, but only up to a point. A person still needs the baseline knowledge and ability required for the role. You would not place someone in a specialized position simply because they are likable and enthusiastic. At the same time, a candidate...

01/09/2026

The middle of a tough situation is a costly time to discover that your team doesn’t know how to disagree, make decisions, or rely on one another. What can you do now to prepare your team before the stakes get higher?

I’ve seen plenty of teams work together reasonably well when the workload is manageable and nothing especially difficult is at stake. The real test comes when a major account arrives, the workload spikes, a leadership transition begins, or a conflict that has simmered for months becomes impossible...

21/08/2026

Connection, conversation, and talent assessment insights—all at KinetIQ Live! Join us Thursday, September 24 from 4:30–7:30 p.m. at The Shop DSM. Meet fellow practitioners, enjoy complimentary food and drinks, and hear candid perspectives on when assessments create value—and when they create noise. ATD Central Iowa member tickets are just $20 this week! Get your tickets here: https://www.atdiowa.org/event-6628251

14/08/2026

Happy fifth work anniversary to the one and only Cindy Leaders!

For five years now, Cindy has been the person behind so much of what makes Group Dynamic work: calendars, logistics, printing, details, records, reminders, questions, double-checks, and the occasional “Alan, are you sure?”

We all sleep better knowing Cindy is paying attention. Her patience, thoroughness, and quiet persistence make a huge difference for our team and for our clients. So much of her work happens behind the scenes, but the impact is easy to see.

Cindy, you continue to make us better, steadier, and more prepared. We’re grateful for you, and we’re so glad you’re part of Group Dynamic.

~ Alan, on behalf of the team