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Background
 

Leap Advocates was founded by Kevin Nourse in 2001 after a multifaceted career in software development, finance, training, human resources and consulting. Kevin’s passion for flying trapeze transformed his perspective on risk-taking and leadership, leading him to the conclusion that starting a business was something he could thrive at. This transformation was manifest at a pay phone on Cape Cod in 2001 when Kevin called his boss at PricewaterhouseCoopers to volunteer to be laid off and "leap" into entrepreneurship.


How We Distinguish Ourselves

We distinguish ourselves by using integrated, structured and research-based approaches to helping people and organizations become more resilient, innovative and change-adaptive. Our structured approach to facilitating change is based on proven theories, hands-on experience and best practices. In addition, through our alliances with other coaching, consulting and training organizations that share our values, we can offer comprehensive services to organizations

 

Our approach to working with people and organizations is built on a number of underlying principles:

 

Action Orientation

Rather than position our coaches or consultants only as "experts," we attempt to engage our clients in experimenting, reflecting and learning. Our coaches and consultants support clients in taking action rather than simply talking about an issue or challenge. By doing so, we are able to build capacity among our clients to more effectively manage change.

 

Appreciative Inquiry and Awareness

Researcher David Cooperrider of Case Western Reserve University is attributed to being the "father" of appreciative inquiry. He defines this philosophy as:

 

Appreciative Inquiry is about the coevolutionary search for the best in people, their organizations, and the relevant world around them. In its broadest focus, it involves systematic discovery of what gives “life” to a living system when it is most alive, most effective, and most constructively capable in economic, ecological, and human terms. AI involves, in a central way, the art and practice of asking questions that strengthen a system’s capacity to apprehend, anticipate, and heighten positive potential.

 

Our consultants and coaches use an appreciative approach to our clients explore areas of aliveness, success and engagement. Rather than focus only on what is broken, we will often help a client shift their focus toward sources of strength.

 

Collaborative Partnerships

With each of our clients, we strive to form a collaborative partnership where the consultant/coach and client take shared responsibility for the relationship and its outcomes.

 

Evidence-Based Practices

Unfortunately, much of what is written about leadership, change and organizations is not based on empiracal research. Rather, it is based on opinions or myth. As a result, the strategies that some coaches and consultants use do not produce results. We distinguish ourselves by basing our strategies, tools and practices on evidence derived from research.

 

For more information about Kevin Nourse's doctoral research, click here.

 

Multi-Level Perspective

In order to effect lasting and substantive change, our coaches/consultants consider three levels: the individual, their team or workgroup and the overall organizational culture.

 

By considering these three levels of functioning, we are more able to help changes and new behavior "stick" by identifying potential barriers in each of these three domains. For example, helping an individual leader change her behavior without considering the team context or overarching organizational structure and culture might prevent her from actually using newly developed skills. This approach builds upon the work of noted researcher Kurt Lewin who suggested that behavior is a function of a person interacting with their environment.


Systems Thinking Orientation

We help our clients use a systems approach to creating substantive and lasting change in their organizations. Using such a perspective, our clients are better equipped to be aware of the limits of the mental models, increase their capacity to observe and notice patterns, as well as considered wider implications of prospective change efforts. We believe this approach leads to solutions that fix underlying problems, more effective programs and lasting change.


 

Affiliations

Leap is affiliated with a number of outstanding organizations, including:

  • Barnes & Conti, headed by Kim Barnes, is a California-based training company offering a wide variety of training products and programs

  • HumanR, lead by Mary Saily and Burgess Levin, provides organization development consulting services designed to help manage the employee life cycle and developing strategic talent

  • Leadership Performance Solutions, lead by Daniel Feldman, provides targeted organizational development and training programs

  • The White Hawk Group, lead by Ane Powers, offers comprehensive leadership and career coaching programs