Michael is a coach, educator, writer, speaker, group facilitator and founding member with Bedock Culture and Leadership. Over the course of his career, he’s developed expertise in the dynamics between human beings, technology, and the social world.
The first phase of his career was over a decade in computer programming, working as an engineer at early-stage startups as well as at HP. Over time he developed skills in process management systems critical to the success of complex projects, and he played key roles in improving team processes throughout those years.
Michael went on to earn a graduate degree in Spiritual Psychology, and began his second career with the Integral Center where he facilitated and taught the social technologies known as Circling and Authentic Relating. He became the center’s Director of Training and Faculty Development where he scaled the organization’s educational reach by creating new course offerings, expanding training delivery schedule, and certifying its specialized faculty.
When applying this work with organizations to their social dynamics, he heard companies asking the same question: “How can we work better together?”
In his quest for solutions, Michael went full geek mode on organizational systems. He became a facilitator and certified coach of Holacracy, a method of decentralized self-management and organizational governance. He led the Integral Center to adopt Holacracy. His team tested and applied a variety of group processes and so-called “teal” organizational practices described in Frederic LaLoux’s book Reinventing Organizations.
Michael coached a principal architect at a Fortune 500 technology company, collaborating together in holding an annual summit for 400+ software architects — the organization’s senior R&D team. He’s facilitated teams to improve their relational dynamics, including educational technologists and trainers in applied rationality. He’s introduced Holacracy to several teams in the effective altruism movement, including the executive team at a key think tank. He’s trained venture capitalists in improving their people skills. He’s trained coaches, therapists, and facilitators in bringing more relational awareness to their practices. He’s supported a team of AI-safety researchers in becoming more aware of their social dynamics.
Through his experience, Michael has come to learn – and to teach – that how we work together is as important as what we’re working on.
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