K.D., PARTNER, ACCOUNTING FIRM - Coaching Client
“This work couldn’t have come at a better time. As the first woman partner in our firm, and about to go on maternity leave, I needed a sounding board to think about these challenges and opportunities. The sessions helped me move from focusing on tactics to exploring vision, value, and impact.”
G.T., VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES, MEDICAL DEVICE COMPANY - Coaching Client
“Laurie’s ability to distill large amounts of information, with the sole intent of helping you determine how to move forward, is mind-boggling. Her mix of modalities helped me achieve clarity on pressing professional issues, and then as a father, to think through some family issues that also impact work. I would not have imagined that someone I met so recently would have this kind of impact on my work.”
S.M., VICE PRESIDENT, TECHNICAL SERVICES AND SUPPLY CHAIN - Coaching Client
“Recently my company was sold, and the new owners offered me a significant promotion to VP. Despite knowing I am highly qualified and well respected, I found myself feeling like the kid at the big table, plus struggling to set priorities with a wider range of responsibilities. Laurie has helped me on my journey to rise to the occasion. She has a gift for drawing the answers out of me.”
CHENG IMM TAN, FOUNDER, MAYOR'S OFFICE OF NEW BOSTONIANS; PRESIDENT, CIT CONSULTING - Colleague
J.G., EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, NONPROFIT - Coaching Client
"I had a coach before where the process felt transactional. The rapport with Laurie, given her style and experience, meant she operated more as an honest thought partner. That served me well as I balanced scaling our organization nationally and growing as a leader, both professional and personally."
CHENG IMM TAN, FOUNDER, MAYOR'S OFFICE OF NEW BOSTONIANS; PRESIDENT, CIT CONSULTING - Colleague
"Laurie has the uncanny ability to bring a varied and diverse group of people together to work collaboratively towards a common goal. She is a natural mentor and coach to others, inspiring people to learn new skills and new ways of thinking, and to perform at levels beyond what they themselves expected."
WAYNE YSAGUIRRE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, THE CARE INSTITUTE - Colleague
"When she worked in City Hall, I had the privilege of serving with Laurie on the planning for the citywide achievement gap prevention plan. She corralled 60 or so organizations to work together, including mine. (Often she would reach out to me to work on a project and I would say I don’t have enough time. And before I knew it, I found the time!) She is always the wise and mission-focused voice at the table that says two things, kindly and firmly: 1) here is what we have accomplished, and 2) here is what we still have to do."
PIPIER SMITH-MUMFORD, FIELD DIRECTOR, DOCTORAL PROGRAM IN EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP AND POLICY STUDIES, BOSTON UNIVERSITY - Education Client
"I teach the course "Diversity and Justice in Education." I assigned Laurie Sherman's book as required reading because in reading the book myself, the themes resonated so much that I found myself turning back the pages and inserting post-its to revisit the concepts. My students were unusually engaged with the book, due to both the content and the writing style. Laurie led an excellent interactive workshop, tailored to our class after she interviewed me about what would best advance my teaching goals. Her style of teaching had all the students thinking about their past work, their current studies, and how they want to lead and manage (and advocate) moving forward."
Voices of ON BALANCE Communications Course Participants
ELLIE ANBINDER, FOUNDER, CAREGIVERS-WELLBEING
“I have been speaking publicly and leading organizations for decades but wanted to up my game. And I did! Laurie has developed 5 core principles that really resonated with me, and a way of teaching about voice, body, and speech content that is compelling. I looked forward to every class.”
ELLEN BISSON, DISTRICT SALES MANAGER, TD BANK
“I learned even more than I expected. Laurie tested us in the right way, shifting our thinking about public speaking as actually a way to have a conversation with a large number of people, building on the abilities we have. She has this powerful and interactive way of ending each class that really works to drive home the learnings from the session.”
MANUELA EVANS, CAREER SPECIALIST, ONE FAMILY, INC.
"The structure and material was excellent. It’s interesting, the way Laurie leads. It goes beyond a course and feels more like coaching, with immediate feedback and a chance to re-do on the spot. She created this sense of community where the students reinforced each other, learning from each other. I loved it!”