Who We Are
Socially distanced in 2021
Our Story
Connection Works was born of, well, connections.
Shannon founded Connection Works in 2013 as a home to her consulting, coaching and facilitation work — helping leaders clarify purpose and build culture, improve team performance, and develop their people.
Of course, work that is about connection at its heart is best done in connection. So, it only made sense that, eventually, Shannon would find a business partner.
Click here to check out Shannon’s visual resume
When she found herself reconnecting with Greg at a friend's birthday dinner it was clear that there was alignment between them around philosophy, personality, and the call to help people find more meaning in their work and lives. Specifically, they are both called to make the workplace a ground for embracing and developing the wholeness of our humanity and not just a place to get a paycheck.
An opportunity to partner with each other on some work came around not long after and the synchronicity of that dinner party was confirmed. It turns out, they work very well together.
Along the way, Greg and Shannon, being who they are, ended up spending three years in a Core Energetics group together, which is a group therapeutic process. From 2015-2018, they found themselves supporting each other in their work to heal their earliest wounds. It was, quite frankly, a connection crucible. And it was the place that firmed up their commitment to become business partners.
In 2018, Shannon asked Greg to officially join Connection Works.
What We Bring
We both hate talking about ourselves so we thought we’d talk about what the other brings to our work together and to you.
So, Shannon, what do you have to say about Greg?
I really count on Greg for how he shows up in conversations. Our conversations almost always take me deeper into what really matters about whatever is being discussed. It’s a paradoxical experience of gaining perspective and focus at the same time, which propels me forward with a greater sense of integrity and creativity.
What I love about working with Greg is that there is always a sense of spaciousness in our work. It feels like there is always plenty of time (even when there is a deadline looming) to explore a seemingly unrelated thought or idea, to change direction if struck by a critical insight, or to discuss a moment of insecurity or frustration. While I love a good linear process, I can also be very non-linear so Greg’s belief in having “room to roam” really helps me stay connected to my wisdom and creativity. I also know there is always room for my humanity.
Greg drives me crazy when he….well, honestly, I can’t think of anything substantial. When he uses 12 words when it could have been said in 6. When he transcribes sticky notes in text boxes instead of tables. I feel incredibly grateful to have found a business partner with whom I have such deep alignment as it makes even the hard work pretty easy.
Some other things that might be of interest to you: Greg has a BA in music from Colorado State University and a graduate level certificate in Integral Transformative Leadership from Pacific Integral's Generating Transformative Change program (certified via Saybrook University). Greg is always reading or listening to something interesting about the arts, culture, people, and society. He lives in Seattle with his wife and together they provide an endless supply of love and patience for their sweet and goofy dog, Buckley.
And, Greg, what would you say about Shannon?
I really count on Shannon to bring it all together. In countless conversations – with myself and with clients – I’ve seen her pull what can seem like disconnected thoughts and tangents into a cohesive narrative that shapes the next step. She may be ‘non-linear’, but her capacity to take what was discussed over an hour, a day, or a week, and turn it into a useful structure is second to none.
What I love about working with Shannon is her capacity to hold the humanity of the people she’s with alongside the pragmatic needs of the work. Getting things done is important but it often happens at the expense of relationship. Shannon’s ability to hold both helps teams and leaders pay attention to what’s happening in the room in different ways, allowing for greater impact. This is true of our team of two, as well!
Shannon drives me crazy when she…really? I mean, we all have our things. That I’m not sure how she tracks her to-dos? When she only eats one small piece of chocolate? Honestly, it’s remarkably easy to work with Shannon (not to mention to be friends with her). I’m aware of how lucky I am to have found such a partner.
Some other things that might be of interest to you: she has BA in Psychology and MA in Civil Engineering from the University of Washington. Because one Masters wasn’t enough, she also has an MS in Organization Development from Pepperdine University. She’s an excellent cook, enjoys pottery (I have a piece of it in my home!), reads a ton, and is an active (and I hear fun) aunt to her 5 year old nephew and 7 year old niece.
Our Philosophy
Our philosophy is deceptively simple: Do what creates connection.
Connection is the key that unlocks the barriers to clarity by bringing more truth into the room.
Connection allows for honesty and growth.
Connection fosters a sense of safety and belonging.
Connection is the fuel of innovation and competitive advantage.
Connection is what it makes possible for all of the silos come together.
Connection bridges the gap of understanding between colleagues, departments, and roles.
Connection leads to better teamwork, better culture, better collaboration, and better conflict resolution
Connection puts your organization in direct touch with your values and vision.
Connection makes work meaningful and life-giving.
With connection, things just . . . work. Connection is what you need to do great things.
Our View on Race and Equity
As two white-bodied consultants, we recognize and acknowledge the role that our field – organization and leadership development – has played in continuing inequitable, harmful, and racist practices in organizations the world over. We continue to learn about the ways in which we have been complicit in these practices now and throughout the course of work and lives. We are dedicated to doing the work that makes us better anti-racists as we strive to be allies in creating a more just and equitable world.
Part of our work is in recognizing where it makes sense for us to stand back and let BIPOC consultants and facilitators step in. Part of our work is in dedicating a percentage of our revenue to BIPOC-led organizations. Part of our work is in learning to be better anti-racist consultants and facilitators by developing our capacities to hold space for people of all heritages and backgrounds in whatever we work we do. Part of our work is participating in and learning how to facilitate conversations about race, oppression and marginalization.
We are grateful for our teachers and mentors at Holistic Resistance – Aaron Johnson, Porsha Beed, Dylan Wilder Quinn, and Jennie Pearl – with whom we are engaged in a 6 month facilitator training. Their mentorship and guidance has allowed us to be in inquiry about how we can better serve the organizations, teams, and leaders that we work with.
We also hold deep gratitude for the other teachers we’ve had a chance to study with and/or learn from. This includes Reverend angel Kyodo williams, Anna Brown Griswold, adrienne maree brown, Layla Saad, Resmaa Menakem, and many, many more.
We are committed to doing our work every day to be in accountability, undo the conditioning of white supremacy, and support racial and social justice in our world.
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