Create possibility together.
For Teams and Organizations
Designed For Connection Methodology is a proven blueprint for developing leaders, teams, and organizational culture, that can move through and recover from inevitable misunderstandings and conflict, diversity and difference, and stress from external uncertainty and crises.
Why is this important? So we can get on with the important work of creating possibility together – and health and well-being – amidst the most pressing conditions of our time.
High-impact Live Zoom Sessions
No one learned how to drive a car only by reading and talking about it! Or just by looking at the destination on a map. Getting from here to there safely requires operating by shared rules of the road. And building driving skills through practice.
Building resilient teams that can navigate the rocky terrain of reactivity and relationship dynamics is no different. It requires getting on the same page with shared skills – and practice.
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Start with a foundation of self-awareness, internal capacity, interpersonal skills
Recognize and interrupt unconscious reactivity
Increase comfort with stress and discomfort
Bulld trust. affirm others’ experience and perspective
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Align impact with intention
Learn a unique and impactful “ecosystem” of feedback skills to communicate how you impact each other
Build a culture of continuous learning and collaboration
Apply learnings and skills to real scenarios
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Unleash individual and collective potential
Build awareness, capacity, and confidence to work through complex social identity and power dynamics in relationships, teams, and the organizational system
Apply learnings and skills to real scenarios
This multi-disciplinary approach - with interpersonal and small group practice - is essential. And it’s missing from many leadership development and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion trainings.
Celebrating after a workshop!
“Even virtually, the connections we built were deep and meaningful. I am amazed at how Erica and team managed to keep everyone engaged on Zoom! They helped us exercise ‘interpersonal muscles’ to be a better person, leader, and manager.”
“I learned tools and resources to take safe risks and bring emotions and vulnerability into daily interactions. This truly transformed how I am able to approach even the most challenging transitions in my life, both personal and professional.”
Contact Erica about high-impact learning experiences for your organization: erica@ericapengconnects.com
How can I apply these skills?
Here are some examples of ways people have applied skills and practices to different types of challenges.
Build empathy through awareness of your own and others’ emotions
“I’ve used one core practice while at work to understand what my physical and mental state is before I enter into a meeting. I’ve realized that I am now becoming more aware of my partner and coworkers’ emotional state even via Zoom. I spend more time trying to understand where they are in life and how that might affect their work and responsiveness. In short, it’s made me more empathetic in the workplace.”
Transform inadequacy to internal resilience and worthiness
“When I am feeling inadequate, or nervous about myself, I recall the dignity practice and am a stronger, more self-assured individual. I am not waiting for or hoping for external validation or reassurance, but rather am able to boost myself up. This has meant less potential stress with others in my life.”
“I was able to better manage the emotions that were coming up for me, and to actively name, notice, and dispel the critical thoughts. After being able to call out my assumptions, I immediately felt calmer and more centered. It brought a greater sense of ease and confidence.”
Stay connected amidst COVID and racial challenges
“In just two weeks I am already experiencing impacts. I learned that my interpretation of others’ words can be completely incorrect. I am a lot calmer and less reactive when on the receiving end of comments that sound negative. This has been especially helpful while confined together in COVID lockdown.”
“In the wake of the tragedies that have been on the news surrounding the systemic injustice for black people in America, I find myself using the Notice and Name practice to ground where I am. To process what I need and let others know as well.”
“The course helped me better understand how my thoughts and actions are influenced by unconscious biases, as well as the unearned privileges I am granted by virtue of being a white woman in America. This has helped me show up as a better white ally to my women of color teammates, and it has helped me reflect on my own white privilege. Furthermore, the practice of “listening with empathy” has helped me maintain very strong relationships with my teammates rather than feeling divided by our differences. Hearing their personal stories and then sharing the profound impact on me has drawn us closer together.”
Interrupt and transform conflict into connection
“I can more accurately understand my own responses to conflict and actively work on increasing connecting behaviors. I think a lot more about my physiological reactions to various moments and what they are telling me about my subconscious response. Seeing that translate from halting practice in class into real-world applications in only a few weeks has been a significant change for me. ”
“A disagreement with my wife has been going on for weeks and it’s easy for us to get frustrated and scale it quickly. However, I’ve been able to do the listening practice, which has helped us avoid turning it into a fight. For that I’m proud, grateful and hopeful!”
Some context about me
I have unique life experiences that enable me to support a diversity of people from different walks of life, to bridge divides within themselves and with others.
I grew up in a New England town as a Chinese girl who identified as White and Jewish. I lived and worked in Asia and Latin America for many years. I speak Mandarin and Spanish.
I bring nuanced skill and awareness to help leaders navigate interpersonal, team, and organizational challenges in a context of uncertainty, and complex social identity and intersectionality dynamics.
As a result of my own personal leadership journey, I deeply empathize with the challenges and risks involved with expressing one’s authentic voice and reality while navigating stereotypes, unconscious bias, power dynamics, and risk of judgment from making a misstep.
I’m passionate about helping leaders anchor in self-worth, a necessary foundation for expressing your unique and transformative leadership. Learn more about my story.