Meet Some of Our Clients

Business Results: Improved safety, communication, and teamwork – critical in the high-risk highway contracting industry.

Beyond the Workplace: The Collaborative Way® enhanced Denis Moore’s personal relationships, showcasing its holistic impact as a “force multiplier” for unlocking potential at individual and organizational levels.

1. Team self-reflection survey:
By engaging in TCW’s self-survey and fostering candid discussions, the finance team addressed hidden tensions, clarified expectations, and reinforced their commitment to collaboration..
2. Cross-departmental collaborations:
Partnering with the operations team was pivotal in improving billing processes, cash collections, and cash flow efficiency. This collective effort turned challenges into successes and reduced stress company-wide.
3. Recognizing and correcting actions that were damaging team morale:
Honest feedback helped Denis recognize how his actions, though well-intentioned, were hindering the team. Adjusting his behavior to support team commitments and emphasizing appreciation enhanced trust, reduced frustration, and bolstered team performance.

1. ”What Counts is What is Heard, Not What is Said”: Bob Herbine highlights how learning to “listen generously” early on in his leadership journey profoundly impacted his ability to influence action and build effective teams. It was a pivotal realization that leadership is less about speaking and more about listening to understand and align with others.
2. ”They Don’t Work Like We Work Here Together”: The Collaborative Way® has become a core part of Alan Myers’ culture. Former employees often return, realizing the difference it makes in team dynamics and how the company’s collaborative environment leads to better productivity, higher retention, and stronger organizational loyalty.
3. ”Listening Became the Pathway for Me to Contribute to Whatever We Were Working On Together”: Bob leveraged his leadership by realizing “I didn’t need to be the most experienced, I just had to bring the most listening to contribute to what we were up to.”

1. Listen for the value each person has to bring
   This mindset builds trust, reduces defensiveness, and helps uncover solutions.
2. “Stay Grounded in what we are Up To”
   Anchor the discussion in what you’re collectively “up to,” such as company values, team objectives, or mutual success. As Jessica notes, this approach ensures the conversation is “not intended to be adversarial” but instead focused on finding a path forward.
3. “Take Responsibility for How You’re Heard”
   When delivering uncomfortable feedback, frame it as being “for their success.” Make it clear that your intent is to help others succeed fosters collaboration and turns challenges into opportunities for growth.

“A pattern of behaviors that could define a culture in a simple way”

From 2013 to 2016, HJ3 grew at an unprecedented rate. “The Collaborative Way set out a pattern of behaviors that could define a culture in a simple way, and help me onboard and integrate new people as we were growing it at such a fast pace,” recalls CEO Jim Butler.

“All stakeholders that we interact with become a part of this program”

“When you learn how to collaborate, it creates not only a culture internally, but all stakeholders that we interact with now come to be a part of this program in a sense,” says Jim. This collaborative approach strengthened relationships with suppliers, banks, partners, and clients, fostering trust and driving innovation.

“Cleanups prevent misunderstandings from festering”

“People are going to have misunderstandings, and we don’t want those misunderstandings to fester and turn into larger problems than they need to be,” says Jim. Cleanups, a key practice of The Collaborative Way, allow team members to clarify intent, address concerns, and strengthen trust by staying honest and transparent.

Dominic has been a part of HJ3 for over 11 years, rising from an intern to Vice President of Sales he shares these highlights:

1. Listening Generously and Building Relationships
“The ability to listen and understand what people need, what they truly need in these applications has separated us from our competition.”

Dominic emphasizes that truly listening to customers creates a unique, consultative sales process. This approach ensures customers feel heard and leads to long-term partnerships that go beyond the transactional.

2. Cultivating a Culture of Accountability and Retention
“We’ve created a group of people that are tough in a good way. There’s a lot of accountability. By using these techniques and tactics, once people come here, it’s a totally different experience and they tend to stay here for a long time.”

Dominic attributes employee retention to the company’s culture of speaking straight and being for one another, which empowers employees and inspires loyalty.

Looking for Positive Intent
“Being able to slow down and listen… Let me hear what you have to say. Let me seek to understand. And we can really move forward from there.” Dominic shares how The Collaborative Way has shaped his leadership style. By approaching challenges with curiosity and looking for positive intent, he has built stronger connections with his team and fostered an environment of trust and mutual respect.

1. “The Best Team Wins”
   The Collaborative Way transformed a siloed organization into a cohesive, high-performing team. By training 600 employees in its principles, the company broke down silos and became “almost the best in the industry as far as profitability.”
2. “Listening Generously Changed My View”
   The speaker shifted from a “my way or the highway” approach to valuing others’ perspectives by learning to “listen generously.” This transformation improved team dynamics and even impacted employees’ personal lives.
3. “Customers Want to Use Us Because We’re Collaborative”
   The Collaborative Way created a culture of collaboration that strengthened customer relationships and increased repeat business. By fostering appreciation and acknowledgment, the company gained a reputation for teamwork, leading to “Customer for Life.”

1. “I didn’t know the value of listening generously”
   Through training and one-on-one coaching, Justin discovered the transformative power of truly listening. A pivotal moment came when the company’s founder called him out for not listening – a humbling experience that deepened Justin’s ability to connect with his team and build trust.
2. Company Meetings with “Zero laptops, zero cell phones”
   Justin shares how he was amazed from day one by the deeply respectful and productive meetings at his organization. “Listening generously” and “speaking straight” weren’t just ideas; they were lived principles that elevated collaboration and made every voice in the room heard.
3. “They were tearing up talking about their experience”
   Inspired by his own growth, Justin introduced The Collaborative Way to his previous company, sparking a profound shift in people’s lives. Employees, young and old, shared emotional stories of personal and professional transformation.

1. “Leading in All Directions”
   Steve highlighted how TCW’s principles empowered him to lead effectively in all directions—up, down, and across his organization. He shared, “Leading up can be tricky, but having these skills really helps make that possible,” allowing him to navigate challenging conversations with confidence and mutual respect.
2. “A Ripple Effect Beyond the Walls”
   The Collaborative Way not only improved internal dynamics but also had a profound impact on customer and partner relationships. Steve noted, “When someone has an issue and they feel heard… it creates more of a partnership with them than just an interaction,” demonstrating the positive external effects of a culture rooted in appreciation and clear communication.

1. “The Risk Is Bigger Than One of Us”

“We knew that this was going to potentially take on significant risk.” Facing a long-term business transformation, Rob Roy chose The Collaborative Way to unite their teams and mitigate the challenges of a multi-year ERP implementation.

2. “There’s No Place to Hide”

The Collaborative Way creates an environment where leaders and team members alike are encouraged to act with honesty, vulnerability, and with accountability. “It covers the way we need to act as colleagues, as individuals, and the way we should operate with transparency.”

“It allows you as a leader to trust those around you… because you trust that their voice is going to be heard.” This culture of trust and transparency ensures that everyone’s contributions are valued.

3. “The Biggest Business Impact Is a Common Culture”

“The Collaborative Way creates a common language… that can go across location to location to location.” By aligning teams around shared principles and communication practices, The Collaborative Way fosters a cohesive culture that transcends local silos.

“We’re mitigating risk because people now have a way to communicate with the organization.” Empowering even the quietest voices strengthens commitment, reduces turnover, and ensures the organization is prepared to face challenges together.