Extraordinary Conversations

Rapidly expanding into an international marketing services company through global acquisitions, I found myself attempting to manage ten culturally disparate, strong-minded entrepreneurial leaders who now had to work collaboratively. Competing agendas made it impossible to create synergy between the regions and deliver a more comprehensive service offering to our clients. The expansion was faltering under ever-increasing expectations from the Board of Directors.

Patrick O’Neill evaluated the unique components of our predicament and facilitated a series of customized off-site programs which would reveal the sabotage of our shared behaviours as well as our potential as a group. Through the techniques of Extraordinary Conversations, the group was able to come to agreement and formulate a common mission and vision: one that focused on the achievement of the organization rather than personal goals.

In addition, reparation techniques directly addressed damaging personal conflicts and healed old wounds. Now working together, conflict was minimized while personal respect increased. Management meetings were now made up of like-minded participants who would move forward with collaboration and deliver the comprehensive solutions our clients demanded.
Extraordinary Conversations assisted our organization in establishing true working partnerships, which ultimately enabled us to achieve shared organizational goals. Within 5 years our revenues climbed from $12 million to $750 million. Most importantly, we were able to continue acquiring high growth companies with the knowledge and skill necessary to successfully integrate high performance entrepreneurs.

“Nestle Canada has utilized Extraordinary Conversations several times with wonderful success. They are very involved with their clients and really care about making a difference and achieving results. They take the time and put a lot of effort on assisting the individual with results. I would recommend Extraordinary Conversations to anyone.

I have had an opportunity to work with Extraordinary Conversations in two different organizations within the pharmaceutical industry. Each time Patrick and his team have helped us create significant breakthroughs in team dynamics and synergy. Patrick has the uncanny ability to get individuals and teams off the "rat race" of the urgent and the now giving them time to think, reflect and truly listen to one another. Extraordinary Conversations enabled our team to accelerate the journey towards high performance.

Mike Dufton, CEO
Comtext Systems Inc. (Creators of Intelliresponse)

I have had to the pleasure to work with Extraordinary Conversations over a number of years. They are an organization that is capable of meeting a wide range of challenges that business executives face.

My experience with Extraordinary Conversations began when I had recently taken over as the CEO of a $60 million technology business. Extraordinary Conversations was retained to take my leadership team through an intense three day workshop to ensure that the team was aligned in meeting the challenges that our organization was facing. It was a period of transition, uncertainty and many of the team was questioning their commitment to the organization as a result of a difficult year and a declining demand for our services. At the end of the workshop, we had created a path forward for the business and had a newly found unity and honesty amongst the team that reenergized our efforts. Patrick O’Neill was instrumental in helping us to reach this goal.

Following the completion of the workshop, there was a tremendous amount of work to be done. We needed to create a compelling vision for the enterprise to return the company to a path of growth and prosperity. We also needed to rebuild the morale of the workforce. Extraordinary Conversations was instrumental in helping us achieve these objectives as well. Working with Elinor Trainor, one of Extraordinary Conversations communication experts, we spent weeks together building a vision and strategy that every employee could understand and rally around. The work was intense but the payoff when the final product was completed was huge. Our new vision energized our employees, and created a path to prosperity that everyone could believe in. Within two years, our company had exceeded $100 million in revenues.

Rebuilding the morale of the workforce was another rewarding exercise that Extraordinary Conversations played a key role in. Throughout the enterprise we ran a series of approximately 15 – 20 three day workshops around the globe and over 200 employees had the benefit of learning the art and importance of having difficult conversations. The feedback from employees was overwhelming. Many employees commented that the course had been the most beneficial educational opportunity they had experienced, and that the rewards were both professional and personal. Our company learned how to work effectively as a team, and how to build bridges between countries and departments. The trust, energy and enthusiasm generated by these courses was a critical element in keeping spirits and efforts high as the company embarked on a major growth trajectory.

I have been impressed by the breadth and depth of Extraordinary Conversation’s services and staff. I would highly recommend their services to any organization that is looking to inject growth, excitement, trust and enthusiasm into their businesses. The results will speak for themselves.

Paul Alofs, President and CEO
The Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation

Patrick O'Neill is one of the most gifted consultants and advisors I have ever worked with. Extraordinary Conversations is a company that facilitates just that… Extraordinary, breakthrough, significant team-building and personal development sessions which create meaningful and significant change. I would recommend Patrick and his company to any leader looking at improving teamwork, effectiveness, and individual productivity.

“I have worked with Patrick O’Neill and Extraordinary Conversations on multiple occasions over the past thirteen years. He has been invaluable in helping me and the senior management teams I led or was a part of achieve breakthrough performance. Patrick is highly skilled at getting to the heart of the issue and helping the team identify the actions necessary to meet the challenges they face. I have found Patrick’s approach and methodology to be uniquely effective in helping executive and senior management teams develop improved strategic clarity and teamwork.”

Patrick O’Neill and his team is any business executives ‘secret weapon’. Several years ago when I was running a large/complex marketing services company the executive team which I led was ‘disparate’. I contacted Patrick on a colleague’s recommendation and the process began. The outcome was successful although difficult. What truly made it unique from anything we had experienced as individuals was the 'way' that he approached the teaching. It wasn't something you forgot - it was lasting with high impact. To this day I often reflect and apply the thinking that Patrick imparted on us. I would not hesitate to recommend Patrick to any individual or group. His passion and dedication to his art is infectious. Engaging 'Extraordinary Conversations' is a life altering event!

As an executive team of decision makers, prepare to be challenged when you work with Extraordinary Conversations - and with challenge comes reward. The O'Neills led us through a thoughtful examination of our assumptions, group dynamics and patterns that awoke in our team a new spirit of authentic collaboration and productive conversation. "Change begins with me" has become lived reality rather than a slogan. Through our work with Extraordinary Conversations, we are growing to see ourselves as empowered decision makers. Extraordinary, indeed.