Our Services
Lead with curiosity. Model with intention. Work through challenges—together.
At Applegate Talent Strategies, everything we do is grounded in the Mutual Learning Approach—an evidence-based mindset built on transparency, curiosity, accountability, informed choice, and compassion. It's not just a set of tools. It's a way of thinking and working that helps leaders model and coach the behaviors they want to see in their people. We get it. We’ve experienced it, too. When things are going well, working relationships feel easy. Communication flows. Collaboration clicks. But when pressure builds—as it always does—people revert to default mindsets and behaviors. Conflict festers. Trust breaks down. And even strong teams get stuck. As a leader, that’s not what you want—for your team or yourself. You want clarity. Progress. Connection. You want things to be better. We’ll help you get there. Whether you're building new leadership habits or navigating a tough moment with your team, we’ll guide you using the Mutual Learning Approach. You’ll gain skills, language, and the confidence to lead differently—and see the difference. Let’s create the conditions where people thrive. Together.
Being a boss is hard. And for many leaders, it’s getting harder. Most managers are promoted because they were great at something — but that “something” usually wasn’t managing people. As responsibilities stack up, even the most well-intentioned leaders find themselves overworked, underprepared, and unsure how to lead in a way that truly works. That’s where I come in. PEOPLE FIRST. ON PURPOSE. If you manage people, your job is people. Leadership isn't just a role; it's a daily practice of modeling and coaching the behaviors you want to see in your team. I help leaders become more intentional, more human, and more effective — not through generic inspiration, but by teaching how to lead with clarity, fairness, and accountability. Because when leaders do better, teams work better. And when teams work better, everyone thrives. PRACTICAL. COMPASSIONATE. EVIDENCE-BASED. I follow the Mutual Learning Approach, grounded in the work of Roger Schwarz. This framework helps leaders shift from Unilateral Control (which prizes being right, rational, and in control) to an approach rooted in transparency, curiosity, accountability, and compassion. It's not about being “nice” — it’s about being clear and connected. It’s about creating the conditions where psychological safety can grow, trust can deepen, and performance can rise. KEY BELIEFS THAT SHAPE MY WORK - The most important relationship at work is between an employee and their direct supervisor. - Leaders shape the emotional tone and fairness of their teams — whether they intend to or not. - There’s no such thing as "leader neutrality." Doing nothing is also an influence. - Psychological safety is experienced at the team level. Trust is experienced individually. Both matter. - Most people know what a leader is supposed to do — but they don’t know how. I teach the how.
About My Coaching
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Executive Coaching
Weekly or bi-weekly one-on-one confidential sessions include: 1. Learning the mindset and behaviors of mutual learning and how to apply it to daily leadership 2. Strategizing, troubleshooting and debriefing the Mutual Learning Approach to understand the underlying principles so you can redesign your behavior when faced with novel challenges and situations 3. Coaching and technical assistance to increase your facility with mutual learning mindset and behaviors to model it to the organization and use it to build strong and effective relationships with: - Board members - Leadership team - Direct reports - Other key stakeholders
Teams Facilitation
Specifically for teams and departments to use mutual learning to improve culture, increase employee engagement, and reduce turnover. Engagements include: 1. Pre-assessment to determine baseline team dynamic and which mutual learning mindset your team is operating from 2. Personality preference assessments of individual team members 3. Facilitated review of team assessment results 4. Customized exercises and activities 5. Creation of Team Charter 6. Report of Findings and Recommendations Optional confidential "implementation assistance" for individuals on using mutual learning in a daily setting.
Leadership Training and Workhops
Leadership training for professional development designed for leaders, managers, and supervisors with at least one direct report. Single sessions or select a multi-session series. GREAT LEADERS | GREAT BOSSES Model and coach the behaviors you want to see in your people. Practical, mutual‑learning‑based leadership workshops for people managers across industries. Each session gives you tools you can apply immediately to grow trust, model accountability, and lead with intention. Topics include: - Coaching Up the Ideal Team Player - Easy Way to Difficult Conversations - From Resistance to Resilience: Facilitating Change - Generations in the Workplace | A Battle Royale - Hiring for Non-HR Professionals - Managing Conflict with Confidence - Managing Up - Maximizing Your Relationships with Your Boss - Unlocking Results through Accountability & Feedback - 90-minute to 2.5-hour sessions - Six twice weekly topical emails with links to articles, videos, and podcasts for asynchronous self-directed study available per session - Access to customized leadership Playbook (12-months) - Transformation Coaching Sessions with executive with authority to influence resources, policies and long-term commitment to culture change among employees Sessions incorporate mutual learning as the agreed-upon ground rules. Facilitators use mutual learning behaviors during sessions to maintain an effective learning environment.
Group Facilitation
Specifically for groups who are faced with working through challenging situations or high-stakes issues. As facilitators, our purpose is to create the conditions where every participant in your group can do their best thinking. We use the Mutual Learning Approach to help you become familiar with all the points of view around the table. Discussions become more interesting, insightful, and innovative leading to better outcomes with greater commitment and accountability. When people feel heard and feel their perspective is represented throughout the process, it leads to greater commitment, accountability, and productivity. We use the mutual learning mindset as the foundation of our facilitation to ensure a psychologically safe environment. We guide the group through the process, manage the discussion, and encourage collaboration to achieve the desired outcomes. Our process ensures commitment to decisions made while maintaining strong relationships between group members.
Leadership Conversations
Weekly or bi-weekly one-on-one focused, confidential coaching sessions include: 1. Introducing the mutual learning mindset and behaviors 2. Assessing your personality preferences and tendencies 3. Establishing your leadership vision and setting goals 4. Creating your Personal Leadership Manual 5. Troubleshooting daily issues, including: - Technical assistance with how to implement mutual learning (strategizing, troubleshooting, and debriefing) - Shedding the Answer Vending Machine persona - Coaching others using the GROW Model - Facilitating effective meetings - Decision-making models - 3 Corners of Accountability - Conscious Action Wheel - Difficult conversations - Performance management - Time management techniques Learn the underlying principles of why you do what you do (and why other people do what they do) so you can act more effectively in the moment when faced with new and challenging situations. Gain access to our extensive and constantly updated library of curated leadership topics from a wide range of top leadership and personal effectiveness thinkers. Become the leader you were destined to be -- with a high-performing team, strong relationships, and personal satisfaction.
Speaking Engagements
We speak to professional groups and associations about the current situation in workforce & talent, and we make recommendations for addressing those issues. Recent examples include: •Ohio Society of CPAs – April 2024. “Increasing Morale and Workforce Longevity.” •Ohio Association of County Boards – March 2024. “Employee Engagement: Connecting to Today’s Workforce.” •Columbus Women’s Commission – October 2023. “Women and Work – The Update.” •Franklin University’s Mason Leadership Symposium – September 2023. “10 Questions to Ask Yourself to Assess (the quality of) Your Employee Retention Efforts.” •Muskingum Valley HR Association – July 2023. “Why Workers Left the Workforce. And How to Win Them Back.” •Franklin University’s Mason Leadership Symposium – September 2022. “Women and Work.” •Leadership Columbus NxGen – September 2022. “Time Management and Setting Priorities” •Workforce Development Board of Central Ohio – July 2022. “Women and Work – The Report.” •Leadership Columbus – May 2022. “Sticking Your Neck Out Without Losing Your Head.” •Ohio Association of County Boards – March 2022. “Employee Engagement.” •Ohio Electric Cooperative – March 2022. “Building a Culture of Retention.” •Leadership Columbus – January 2022. “Employee Engagement: Why You Need It and How to Get it.” •Columbus Young Professionals – April 2021. “Key Career Skills.” •Ohio Provider Resources Association – October 2021. “Keeping Your Career Moving Forward.” •Safety Leadership Summit – October 2021. “Building Effective Onboarding Programs for Employee Engagement & Retention.” •Sports Advisory Council – December 2021. “Key Leadership Practices for Sports Industry Executives.” •Leadership Columbus – Need It and How to Get it.” September 2020. “Diversity Every Day for Everyday People.” •Human Resources Association of Central Ohio – Multiple Engagements. As subject-matter expert, co-facilitating HR Roundtables. •Various Economic Development Areas & Organizations (Miami County, Knox County, Marion CANDO, Union County; Council of Chamber Executives) – Multiple Engagements. Hottest trends in workforce and hiring.