Your process helped us understand the need for change. Once we got everyone in the room and saw the big picture, we discovered we were not as far apart as each of us had thought. It was then easier to agree on specific changes in structure and to implement them. We were amazed that we moved as far forward as we did."

Division Director

Arlington County government

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About us: Who we are

For more than two decades Cortland Group has helped people and organizations take advantage of the opportunities that come with change. Working in partnership with you, our client, we design custom solutions grounded in proven models, real-life experience and cutting-edge thinking. We think systemically, helping you see how the various parts of your organization or your life are connected so that you align decisions and actions with your vision and values.

All of our work is grounded in five underlying principles:

• Partnership. When you hire us, you get a partner. We are in your corner with an extra set of eyes and ears and a safe, neutral mirror for reflection. Our client relationships are built on trust, commitment, communication, shared objectives and mutual learning. We work with you to create your agenda, gather and analyze data, discover underlying issues, uncover latent opportunities, design and implement effective strategies that move you and/or your organization forward.
  
  

• Systems. We think systemically with you so that you see the big picture and how all the parts fit together. This is true in both our consulting (understanding the interaction among parts/functions/levels/systems of your organization) and in our coaching (helping you to see how you bring who you are to everything you do). By clarifying interdependencies, we help you identify and leverage the areas with the greatest potential for positive results; then we design effective strategies for achieving them.
  
  

• Empowerment. Our goal is to build your capability and capacity. We teach you our processes and models so you can apply them, expand on them and leverage our input. Once you identify the opportunities, develop your vision, and learn the appropriate skills and/or processes to move forward, we are there to provide coaching, support, and facilitation as needed.

• Diversity. We honor and value diversity. We understand how diversity in the broadest sense of the word (diversity of thought, diversity of culture, ethnicity, experience, training, perspective) adds value to an organization or an individual. We help our clients appreciate and integrate the various cultures in their organization, communicate effectively across diverse members and constituents, reach out to the larger community, and leverage diversity for organizational effectiveness.
  
  

• Learning. We learn with and from you, our client. We learn something from every person and every system with which we work. We talk with clients and colleagues about our learning. We participate regularly in professional meetings, seminars, teaching, and writing opportunities. Learning keeps us current, enthusiastic and challenged by our work. Learning with our clients strengthens our partnership.

About us: Why Clients Value Us

We help you get results. With you, we set clear expectations at the beginning of an engagement and then work together to achieve our goals. You will see the impact of our work, whether it is organizationally in our OD work, or individually and organizationally in our coaching.

We develop strong partnerships with our clients based on trust, respect and mutual learning. We bring you tools, models, and our experience in many organizations. You bring the knowledge of your own organization. We work together to understand underlying issues and root causes from multiple perspectives. Our systems perspective enables us to identify patterns, conflicts, and leverage points. Jointly, we design and implement actions and strategies that are right for your organization or for you.

We know organizations. We are quick studies. We ask good questions, read cultures and understand process. We provide a mirror and an outside eye to look at your organization or yourself. We listen well — to what you say and what you don't say. We challenge your thinking and your assumptions. And we do this in service of you and your organization. We do not bring an off-the-shelf set of products. We do not define the issue to meet a pre-packaged solution. What we do is design custom solutions and interventions that are right for your organization.

We are adept at facilitating meaningful and deep conversations about things that matter. We create safe space. We followup so that conversation leads to action. We take time to intentionally acknowledge learning. We are skilled in a wide range of facilitation models, from small group work to large scale, whole systems events of hundreds of people. Our participants come away feeling that their time has been well spent.

People find us easy to talk to. They trust us. We honor that trust and respect the confidentiality of our conversations. We are known for our ability to give people the gift of feedback in a way that empowers them and supports their growth. The questions we ask make people think. They feel supported and at the same time challenged to look at things differently, create possibilities, take risks, and grow.

About us: Client list