Marcia Conner

Summary

The pandemic will be a waste if society returns to what was previously perceived as normal. If you too are uninterested in going back to the troubled corporate practices that once passed for business-as-usual, I specialize in helping leaders make hard choices that produce extraordinary results. Often brought in to “Octopus Organizations” (those with many arms going their own way) I work on seemingly catastrophic challenges, demonstrating repeatedly there’s almost always a healthy way through. If you’re thinking, “What are we going to do now?” I’ve likely worked with someone in your position and can provide expertise to move forward fast. I sidestep outdated notions of engagement and best practices to connect, streamline, and energize entire ecosystems for rapid phase change and sustainable growth. Together we’ll overcome ambiguity, resistance, and skepticism with fact-based examples of success. Clients are typically either multinational enterprises, spanning industries and markets, or young organizations determined to find a better approach. I’ve worked with entrepreneurial founders, and grassroots activists, as well as heads of state, global NGOs, and elite academic institutions—all aiming to put a dent in the universe. A former corporate executive focused on high-growth organizations (Microsoft and PeopleSoft), I’m a SupporTED Mentor, a Fellow of the Darden School of Business, and have been a columnist for Fast Company. I wrote the book on virtual learning (literally) and have spoken to hundreds of thousands of people. I’ve been an advisor to RWJF’s Culture of Health Leaders program and Wellville. I’ve been quoted on the BBC, in The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Fortune, CIO, CLO, HR Executive, Information Week, Natural Health and have appeared on ABC World News This Morning. Let’s talk soon. We don’t have time to waste.