Approach and Beliefs

BUILDING HEaltHY Cultures

Our approach to building healthy cultures of leadership embraces three core values:

A system is an interconnected and interdependent network of parts.  The complexities of the leader as a person and leadership as a culture are to be embraced and engaged on the systemic level leading to personal and organizational change.  Strengthening one part of a system strengthens the whole; atrophying another part weakens the whole.  Healthy leadership personally and organizationally is always about becoming more whole, more fully revealing and contributing to the health of the system overall

Leadership cultures can become echo chambers of their own philosophies and methods.  As outside eyes and ears, we offer perspective and insight that is difficult to see and hear from “within the machine.”  Truth catalyzes freedom; therefore, we always tell our clients what they may be missing or unwilling to hear, even (especially?) when it is difficult and/or painful to hear. 

Transformation on any level, personally or corporately, begins with a renewing of the mind.  Most leaders want their culture to feel differently, because indeed, culture is felt.  However, that is secondary to embracing and walking out better ways of thinking about the leader as a person, the leadership teams of the organization, and the organization as a whole.  This is why teaching is a primary activity of The Emporia Group; it washes the informs the mind(s) of the leader(s) of a given system. 

“Being present is more than just occupying the same space, it is creating a space for the most important work to get done.”  – Jay McCumber

THERE IS POWER IN PRESENCE

Showing up is the single most powerful aspect of our approach.  Showing up physically with face-to-face meetings.  Showing up mentally by being ready to dive in and do the hard work that transforming an organization requires.  Showing up emotionally to be transparent and honest with ourselves and our team.  And showing up in spirit to allow for insight, truth and freedom to happen.  When you work with Emporia Group, you can expect us to show up in every interaction and we expect the same of our clients.

Within the current business climate, there is a push – correction, an expectation – to do as much as possible within the least amount of time and with the smallest amount of intercommunication as possible.  We completely understand and appreciate efficiencies, but when it comes to changing the course of an organization, its leaders and its sphere of influence, making an investment in quality time is a key component to our success.

Partnering with leaders through Life Exchange

Life Exchange is a monthly leader development group led by Jay McCumber 

“My experience at Life Exchange has pushed me towards a better understanding of my purpose. It can be easy as a business leader to lose sight of why we do what we do. Jay and this group have helped me to understand what I am called to and have challenged me to walk that out. I appreciate the authentic, intentional, and personal conversations that happen in our meetings. Jay is gifted at bringing biblical based teaching at a high level while allowing room for application to take place. My business and family have benefited from Life Exchange.” 

– Scott Stoltzfus, Owner/Albie’s Food Truck

“When you know who you are, you know what to do.”

– Shelley Hendrix

Discover if Emporia Group is the right partner for you