Meet Diana Peterson-More | Leadership Consultant, author, speaker, strategic planner, coach and trainer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Diana Peterson-More and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Diana, is your business focused on helping the community? If so, how?
We live in a turbulent time, in which civility and conversation between those of differing views has precipitously dropped. A recent survey reveals that 91% of employees have witnessed or experienced incivility in the workplace, with only 25% believing that managers know how to handle it. (Another 51% believe that political views influence their ability to get ahead.) Ignoring this situation is not a strategy. Among many other factors, this leads to a steep drop in productivity. It won’t go away. My coaching, training, the two books I’ve written, and my frequent blogs show the way to team members – be they managers or staff – to meet the challenge head on. In the leadership consulting world, there are those who believe in conflict resolution, and those who subscribe to conflict management. I am an advocate of the second, given the differences we are experiencing are a result of values, culture, heritage, upbringing and the like. The differences can be managed to reach a consensus on how to move forward.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
While there are many practitioners in the “leadership space,” I am informed by my lived experience: a practicing employment lawyer, corporate manager, executive and officer, and now an author, blogger, and host of monthly LinkedIn Live/YouTube conversations. As a strategic planner, coach, trainer and facilitator, I frequently start an assignment stating, “I made a lot of mistakes as a first-time leader. The good news is that I learned from those mistakes. The better news is that I am willing to share them with you, so you won’t make those mistakes.” And, as someone who has taken 360-performance evaluations, I know how painful it can be to receive negative feedback and I am living proof that we can all changes others’ perceptions of ourselves – if we want to. My proudest moments are helping others to achieve their success, particularly when it’s turning around others’ perceptions of them. Running one’s own business has its ups and downs. I distilled my work into four phases: marketing, sales, delivery and follow-up. Ironically, the first three come naturally to me, whereas, the follow-up, which is my greatest source of ongoing work, is the most difficult. What I want and what others see in me is my unique brand of bringing my real-life experiences with head and heart and assisting them in achieving whatever their hearts desire.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I was born and raised in WLA and moved to Pasadena when I wed – lo these many years ago. I would spend the entire week in Pasadena – home to outstanding educational and religious institutions, art and entertainment, a diverse number and types of restaurants, and the home of the “Grandaddy of them all” the Rosebowl. On Saturday, we would go to the Huntington Library and Gardens between 8:00 and 9:00 prior to its opening to walk the grounds. Hungry from the walk, we would head to Pie N Burger for brunch, rounding out the day with a visit to the Norton Simon Museum, dinner at Marias, and a play at A Noise Within. Sunday would include services at All Saints, a visit to Vroman’s bookstore, a movie at the Landmark, and dinner at Café Santorini. Monday through Friday would include walks around the Rosebowl, the Cal Tech campus, through the Arroyo, up Mallard Canyon and Switzer Falls. Happy Hour at The Arbour and Magnolia. Meals at El Portal, Gales, True Foods, Houston’s, Smitty’s, Roku Sushi and Mijares. A play at the Pasadena Playhouse, a reading at Parson’s Nose, and Silent Film Friday Night at the Sierra Madre Playhouse – okay, Pasadena adjacent. We would shoe-horn in visits to the Pacific Asia Museum, Alexandria II for a reading and a hot rock massage at Bamboo Creek Spa.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
As Hillary Clinton famously said, “It takes a village,” and indeed it does. Having been at the leadership game my entire life, initial shoutouts go to my parents – Eleanor and David More – and high school teacher Harvey Begiel, who recognized my fierce dedication to principals and inspired me to pursue greater education. The next two who facilitated my taking the leap into a rapidly rising and changing career were utility leaders – Earl Bresnahan and Phil Martin, and a somewhat random participant – Scott, surname unknown – I met in a management leadership program that declared that I led with head and heart. Next, and as painful as it was the opportunity I was given to take several 360-degree performance assessments, which allowed me to see myself as others did, a la “perception is readily,” and my “ah ha” moment understanding that I was the only person who could change others’ perceptions of me, and I have. Now, the shoutout goes to all my clients who believe in me, and, finally, my three beloved children, whose love and respect keep me going.

Website: https://www.dianapetersonmore.com

Linkedin: https//Linkedin.com/in/leadership-consultant-usa

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DianaPMAuthor

Youtube: @dianapeterson-more

Other: https://mastodonsocial/@DianaPMAuthor

https://medium.com/Diana Peterson-More