Testimonials

When I’ve finished working on a project, I seek feedback from my clients. They have been kind enough to offer insight into our work together.

Here’s what you can expect should you decide to work with me.

Our Working Relationship

"Lori Smith is insightful, tactful, makes you think and she is fun to work with. Lori is knowledgeable about leadership, current, and provides a level of integrity that is hard to find in a consultant. Lori has really made a difference in the leadership effectiveness of over 40 key leaders in our organization. They respond to her teaching style and highly respect her. She goes out of her way to customize education to meet the company needs. Lori takes the time to learn what is important to the CEO and how to support organizational goals. Lori is our professional leadership coach."

Jolene Roberts, President/CEO

Hillcrest Health Systems

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"It was my distinct pleasure to work with Lori as I was evolving a human resource department to include many new OD practices. What I appreciated about Lori was the partnership. She was intent on doing what was right for the business and did not present a cookie cutter solution.

Through very comfortable collaboration, we drew on each other’s strengths and perspectives to create well thought out programs for employee development, performance management, talent management and employee engagement. She met us where we were and helped us develop an effective path for success."

Paul Knutson, former VP HR,

Corporate Communications & Facilities Management

Oriental Trading Co.

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"I am responsible for a large statewide religious organization covering the state of Nebraska. The challenges I face are numerous and complicated. For the past year, Lori's expertise and careful listening ear have offered real-life solutions and a real boost in my self confidence as a leader."

Chad A.

Omaha

Planning and Meeting Facilitation

"Lori delivered full-service facilitation of our retreat...from the pre-planning, to the pre-work communications, and her command of the environment while facilitating the retreat. Her services allowed me the opportunity to engage at a high level with my team as Lori took care of the orchestration of the event. Lori's professionalism, ability to deal with ambiguity, and her tact in pulling the group conversations back to the task at hand are all admired."

Brent Dillinger

CEO, Crossroads of Western Iowa

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"Her facilitation skills are very professional. Our group was a very assertive and expressive group. Lori was able to manage the group and in a very short time period, and help us get to consensus."

Bob Culver

Vice President, Business Strategy

Lincoln Financial Group

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"Lori was originally selected by the staff in our Planning and Institutional Effectiveness Department. After working with her on several occasions, I selected her to do additional work with us. I was very impressed with her work.

Lori was in all ways very competent, and was exceptionally conscientious and tactful. She has an unusual ability to move things along without inserting her personal needs and views into the process--one of the best at this I've ever seen."

Dr. Jerry Moskus,

"Former President, Metropolitan Community College

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"I was very happy with the quality of Lori’s facilitation services. She kept us on track and helped us keep going when the going got tough! Lori added value by making the process "de-personalized" and helping us focus on the positives and on the outcomes. She recognized and dealt positively and openly with our fears and misgivings. I loved the “props” and the way she incorporated art and music into her work. It really set a nice stage for productive work and was very different from how we usually do things around here. It was great, and very well received by the group."

Corliss Lovstad

VP Human Resources

Children’s Healthcare Services

Using the DiSC Assessment

"I have found the Disc Assessment to be a great tool both professionally and personally. It has helped me to understand others better and recognize that my approach does not work for everyone. The more I use it the better I have become at adapting my communication style to help manage the situation or to coach others more effectively. I carry the pocket size interaction guide with me everywhere I go!"

Martha Zubke

Director, Human Resources

Hillcrest Health Systems

More Participant Reactions from a Recent Leadership Series

"I have found looking at the DiSC Styles the most valuable thus far. When looking at my interactions with staff, I find myself looking at the “style” and how I can best communicate with them so they feel motivated…"

"The DiSC assessment is a great framework to enable better communication and better delegation of tasks. I have used the concepts from the DiSC multiple times in how I have led individual meetings…."

"The DiSC report has been most valuable to me thus far. It has helped me understand myself and others. I’m thinking through the style of the person I’m interacting with and working to deliver my message based on that style…"

"I am really enjoying my new found knowledge of the DiSC styles! It really makes a difference in how I approach, perceive and communicate with others. I’m using it everyday at work in my communication with my peers. It has made a huge difference in one particular relationship at work. I am now aware of why this person’s behavior is this way and what / how I can approach, communicate and work through things."

Team Development

"I didn't really know what to expect, but I am very pleased with the change we have experienced in the office. Lori was very professional and helpful throughout this process; I really appreciate our working relationship."

Tricia Freeman

Chief Deputy

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"I am very happy with the quality of services provided. Lori was very good in keeping us on track when we would try to go a different way with our conversations. She took the time to understand each part of the event coordinator's and sales positions to assist her in coaching us along. It brought the two teams together to learn more about each other and to learn to trust each other."

Denise Niebrugge

Vice President, Convention Center Sales and Marketing

MECA

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"My expectation in working with Lori was met and slightly exceeded. She was well prepared as it related to our specific group. She made people feel at ease and got them involved. She acted as an interested outside party to help “hold up the mirror” for our leadership team to assess itself. The day was very beneficial, timely, prepared in advance and substantive material, yet light enough that folks did not feel threatened."

Timothy Hall

CEO

Medico Insurance Group

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"The value was in the end result. My team left this retreat with a better focus of our purpose and feeling like as a team we can support each other better as a result of our team development efforts."

Cindy Klein, VP of Operations

Hillcrest Health Systems

Learning Solutions

"My expectations were met and greatly exceeded. Through our own survey, we were able to find that 90%+ of individuals would recommend this course to others and they felt Lori did a great job. Our expectation was that individuals would take something back to their job and practice it. I am confident that Lori's approach to this subject matter will have that intended result. Lori was very professional. Her materials and conduct really reflect that. That in turn creates total trust in the process and content. Because Lori was able to get us something quickly, within our price guidelines, and provide solid content I knew that we had a winning combination. I look forward to working with Lori again!"

Suzy Kratochvil

Director, Client Education Services

First Data Resources, Omaha

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"Lori fostered a culture that valued learning, communication, and caring about its associates. While some organizations may perceive those skills as “soft,” the results at Accent could not have been accomplished without her leadership and perseverance. She kept us “on track” and focused on the big picture."

Debra Lammel

West Asset Management, formerly Accent Insurance Recovery Solutions

Special Projects

"My expectations were met and greatly exceeded. I appreciate the quick grasp of identifying the needs in an environment where some of the requirements were ambiguous and sometimes unknown. I really appreciate the consistency in the quality of work and the quick turn around time on this project."

Peggy Strawhecker

Operations Leader, HR, Service Excellence

Alegent Health System