Marian J. Thier Bio

“To be vital, an organization has to repot itself, start again, get new ideas, renew itself.”
Jack Welch, former CEO of General Electric

Careers:

Marian has had four careers, all related to helping individuals and organizations realize their potential.

* Creative writing teacher in a sixth grade center school

* On-air television host, producer and community liaison. Also a brief stint on a soap opera (that’s how she prepared for working with organizations)

*  Professor of writing and communications. Administrator of Academic Support Services (overseeing faculty development, counseling, library, learning center, non-traditional undergraduate students, as well as adults returning to college after smelling the roses and other odors).

* Consultant. Coach. Facilitator. Trainer:  1984-present.  President, Expanding Thought, Incâ a firm that focuses on achieving business results by affecting leadership practices, increasing original thinking, improving communication, developing teams, and changing the organizational climate.

Developed:

• Instrument: Hear! Hear? Your Listening Portfolio® that assesses listening habits, 2009
• Book: COACHING C.L.U.E.S.: Real Stories, Powerful Solutions Practical Tools, NB Publishing, London, 2003
• Game: THINK TANK:  The Game of Creative Problem Solving, board game that combines linear and lateral thinking
• Audit: The Genesis Creativity Audit, tool that identifies and describes the climate for organizational creativity and innovation
• Booklet: The Journey, a Fable, fanciful story and images of change
• CD ROM: Thought Expanders, 365-day calendar that increases observation skills and stimulates fresh ideas
• Dozens of activities, programs and experiences custom-designed for clients.

Client Industries:

We work with individuals and organizations to think strategically and originally, and enable hi-potential employees to fulfill their promise.  Client industries include: aerospace, airlines, automotive, communications, consumer products, education, financial services, healthcare, high tech, insurance, manufacturing, non-profit, pharmaceuticals, publishing and service. Our clients might be within driving distance or on the other side of the globe, a discrete population or a diagonal slice, an intact team or hundreds of employees, and customer-facing or back office.

If you’d like names of specific clients, just ask, they change.

Education:
Skidmore College, BS, Drama; Penn State University, MA English; Temple University, MA Adult Development; University of Toronto, Adult Learning Certificate; The Forum Corporation, Master Facilitator Training; Harvard University, Mediation Training; Graduate Business and Human Performance courses from multiple sources; Several assessment instrument certifications

Significant Memberships:
Creative Education Foundation (life member); Innovation Network (founding member); International Business Circle of Colorado (founding member), International Coaches Federation (one of the first Master Certified Coaches)