David Holmes Consulting: Education, Leadership, Organizational Management

  Are You Accidentally Diminishing Your Team                                                      Rather Than Multiplying Their Potential? How many of you go home at the end of the day feeling spent, while your team seems to leave the office with energy to spare? If you find yourself carrying the mental load for the entire department or organization—solving every fire, double-checking every email, and making every final call—you might be falling into a common leadership trap. You might be an Accidental Diminisher. The Problem of Good Intentions Most leaders don’t wake up wanting to crush morale. In fact, it’s usually the opposite. Accidental Diminishers are often the most hardworking people in the room. They diminish their team's capability out of a desire to help: The Rescuer: Jumping in to save a project because they don’t...

  Bridging the Gap for a Multigenerational Workforce              Are you struggling to bridge a generation gap in your organization? You are not alone. As a leadership and organizational management coach, I tell my clients that you cannot ignore these differences and you must build intentional connections. The following five strategy bridges can assist you to improve workplace culture, productivity, satisfaction, and profit margins.  Bridge 1: Communication and Clarity The most immediate point of friction is often how we communicate. While you might view a phone call as respectful and efficient, others might view an unscheduled call as intrusive, preferring a text message or email. Leaders should clarify which tools are appropriate for which types of information. Is this urgent? (Text/IM). Does this require interaction and conversation? (Video/In-person). By defining the ‘rules of engagement" for communication, you remove the anxie...

  Performance Coaching: The Strategic Feedback Loop for High-Performing Teams As a leadership and organizational management consultant—and a former school superintendent—I’ve spent many years observing what truly moves an organization from good to great. It isn't a new policy manual or a bigger budget; it's the quality of the daily, interpersonal interactions that shape performance. The complex demands of managing a large school district—juggling budgets, diverse stakeholders, and non-negotiable performance targets—are remarkably similar to those faced by any modern leader. The solution is the same: moving beyond compliance management and embracing potential coaching. The Strategic Shift: From Manager to Coach For too long, leadership has focused on managing compliance. The traditional manager operates from a place of "Tell"—directing and correcting. This model, while basic, fundamentally caps potential. The high-performance leader operates from a place of "Ask...

  Creating a Business to Education Partnership for Sustainability . I've seen firsthand the immense, often untapped potential that lies in strong, strategic partnerships between the business community and local schools. These partnerships aren't just a form of corporate social responsibility; they are a powerful engine for sustainable business growth, ensuring a skilled future workforce and enhancing your company's visibility and reputation. Here is a five-step blueprint for growing your business by becoming a dedicated partner in education. 1. Establish Connections Through Direct Engagement Direct engagement allows you to introduce your business, industry, and the career paths you offer to students at a formative time. Guest Speaking: Offer to speak in relevant classes (e.g., economics, technology, trades, business) about your career journey, the skills required in your industry, or a specific topic related to your business. This positions your company as a thoug...