Partnering For Performance And Cardinal Cushing Centers Announce Collaboration, New Leadership Development Series

Partnering for Performance, a consulting firm specializing in leadership development, business planning, implementation and growth, and Cardinal Cushing Centers, a place where children and adults with disabilities have found possibilities, opportunities, and hope, proudly announce they have collaborated on the launch of a new leadership development series – Cardinal Cushing Centers, Leading for Results.

Cardinal Cushing Centers, Leading for Results focuses on three areas of leadership development – Leading Yourself, Leading Others, and Leading the Organization.  Topics include emotional intelligence; executive function in terms of planning, execution, and problem-solving; critical thinking skills; communication; interdepartmental collaboration; and workplace professionalism. Each session is highly interactive and includes exercises, discussions, and short videos for reflection.

Currently, 22 Cardinal Cushing Centers staff members in roles as program directors and assistant directors across all services are participating in this series.  The program officially commenced in December 2022 and runs through March 2023.  Participants meet twice a month over four months “We make it fun while encouraging participants to push back and engage in dialogue,” said Jacqueline Collins, principal of Partnering for Performance.  “I provide some initial information, but then we get into discussions about how this actually applies in real settings they face, and the conversation shifts to an interchange between participants, which really helps enhance their overall effectiveness as a team in the long run.”

In between in-person sessions, participants also have homework to help foster the continuity of the material and while encouraging them to internalize and apply the skills they are learning about.

“Strong leaders are essential for growth, influencing change and promoting a positive workplace culture,” said Michelle Markowitz, president and CEO of Cardinal Cushing Centers.  “We recognize the need to provide those in leadership roles the necessary tools to engage their teams, to continue learning from experiences and to grow into a more well-rounded administrator.

“We are excited to have developed this program with Jacquie Collins of Partnering for Performance, and know that her experience and acumen will make this investment in the current and future leaders of Cardinal Cushing Centers a driver for positive change,” she added.

“Retaining and recruiting leaders who show a commitment to an organization has been a real challenge recently, especially for nonprofit organizations,” said Collins.  “Cardinal Cushing Centers, Leading for Results is an impressive investment in combatting these challenges, while providing training for the team to work together and build on each other’s strengths to better meet objectives and goals.

“I’m grateful for this opportunity to collaborate in furthering the mission of a nonprofit organization like Cardinal Cushing Centers in such an important way,” Collins continued.  

About Partnering for Performance

Partnering for Performance works with owners of small and medium-size businesses, independent professionals, and C-level executives to provide clarity around issues concerning leadership development, business planning, implementation, and growth through executive coaching, management consulting, and mentoring.  Services include business and leadership coaching, small group facilitation, and talks, seminars, and presentations.  Jacqueline Collins serves as principal of Partnering for Performance.  For more information, please visit www.pfpconsult.com. 

About Cardinal Cushing Centers

Founded in 1947, Cardinal Cushing Centers is a place of opportunity and hope, where individuals from school age through adult and elder years experience learning, work, social relationships, recreation, and enhanced independent living in a caring and engaging setting.  All experience better lives together than they would alone.  Families, as well as individuals through our communities, share in the journey, gaining strength and insight as a vital part of the mix.  Cardinal Cushing Centers is located at 405 Washington Street, Hanover, MA.  For more information, please visit https://cushingcenters.org.