About Felicia (Gutenburg)

Managers are heavy on responsibility and short on time.  Yet many are expected to achieve increasingly high levels with little to no opportunity to refine and update their skillset.  I use authentic and relevant scenarios, hands on practice, prior knowledge, and engaging learning experiences to help managers to internalize lessons learned. This helps to enable these leaders to know when, why, and how to apply knowledge, skills, and techniques. After the training is complete, they feel prepared to use this learning to guide their subordinates, to influence their cross functional peers, and to impress their more senior leaders and customers.

As an experienced leader, I know that getting at the heart of addressing root cause can take a bit of investigation, that today’s challenges are complex and that As an experienced leader, I know that getting at the heart of addressing root cause can take a bit of investigation, that today’s challenges are complex and that training oftentimes is used to ensure recent improvements are sustained.  So, I work within organizations to help design, implement, and optimize a myriad of solution based on their unique needs and situation so that they can attain next level success.  Outcomes include focus on high impact solutions, minimizing chaos and urgent responses, minimizing time, and less backtracking with data-based decision making.  

It is easy to get distracted by pressing deadlines and work drama.  It’s important that the learning process is engaging, interesting, and even fun. I deploy a training method called Context, Challenge, Activities, and Feedback or CCAF. Context helps learners to understand when and why  the subject matters. Challenge enables learners to build onto prior experience which helps with retention and application.  Making content actionable gives learners a chance to try out the material in a safe environment to surface questions and spark new revelations and insights. Feedback is also an essential part of the learning process as it fosters optimal results.  In addition, my courses deploy a myriad to techniques including different types of interactions including interactive content, work-related projects, real life scenarios and on-the-job activities, videos, collaborative learning with peers, workshops and webinars.  I am a huge fan of videos and have created quite a variety of styles over the years and am working to add even more.

As an experienced leader, I apply an insider’s insight to make every minute count.  I develop training programs that are geared towards learner job function(s), pre-requisite knowledge, learning background, and desired outcomes.   If learners will be working together within cross functional teams, corporate programs are designed  around both functional needs and cross functional teamwork.  Then, to further refine the training, the training programs are designed to flex to the needs of those with no background, those who have an especially strong interest in the subject matter, and rapid executive training for those who need and have minimal time to pick up the concepts.  By having a curriculum that is geared towards a focused, actionable curriculum for the expected learner and  adjustments for those who need a different level of training, learners are able to focus on learning.

Training alone is not always the answer.  As an experienced commercial leader, I have successfully driven development, growth, and change through a number of enablers.  In complex situations, I partner with clients to craft a solution based on the situation.  Examples of solution include but are not limited to: workflow improvement, managing processes, clarifying roles and expectations in specific situations, creating decision making paths, access to information, and creating guidelines for route work.