What Others are Saying

“Every once in a while, you find a leader with a true gift for interpersonal influence that helps to create change, or an academic who truly possesses a comprehensive grasp of the complexities of leadership, or a teacher who is so gifted that they can explain powerful ideas in a way that will motivate and enable others to change. In John Bourke of Bourke & Associates, I’ve found all three,” I am honored to be associated with Bourke & Associates and admire the gifts they bring to bear in helping to create positive change within organizations.”

Joseph Grenny, Author - Crucial Conversations: Tools for talking when stakes are high (NY Times, Wall Street Journal Best Seller)

"I wanted to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude for your help, guidance, and expertise for our Customer Advisory Council event. Your outstanding talents for facilitation allowed us to maintain both a blazing pace and an excellent level of customer interaction while we progressed though our aggressive agenda, and your constant flexibility allowed us to meet both the ISS strategic organization and customer needs. The early feedback from a survey I sent last night is overwhelmingly positive, and all the questions regarding the facilitator and facilitation style were 100% positive. I look forward to our continued partnership in the Customer Advisory Council events. Thank you."

Laura Spanski, Director - Threat Intelligence & Advocacy Service, Managed Security Services for Internet Security Systems

"We had executed our own strategic planning process for years. As a result of the Strategic Planning approach facilitated by Bourke & Associates we have never had such consensus for change, resolution on widely diverging positions, or such high, productive energy levels.Into the conference went 25 differing perspectives, some personal agendas, a little apprehension, great creativity, desire, and assorted other “spices.” Out popped our most inspiring Strategic Plan."

J. Foxworth, CFO - Foxworth-Galbraith Lumber Company

"You led the Arts Council of Northeast Tarrant County through a two-day planning session. I was most impressed. I was Chair-Elect at the time, and when I took over in January, I used your process to hold everyone accountable. We held a mid-year retreat and were right on target. At the end of the year, we had accomplished everything we had set forth to do. I am delighted to have you as our consultants for Celebration Shop’s new Strategic Plan."

B. Whitley, President of the Board – Celebration Shop

"Thanks so much for providing me with such a valuable tool (Crucial Conversations). Upon return to work I had the opportunity to put my new skills to work, almost immediately. Using the information and skills I had received from training, the outcome was great! The conversation that I related to the class just happened to be waiting for me the day of my return. Using the S.T.A.T.E. format the employee really opened up and …we were able to come up with a plan of action that met everyone’s needs."

M. Sartor, OR Supervisor, Glen Rose Regional Medical Center

"There is staff development time and then there is “vital” staff development time. Every once in a while you find an organization that truly has the power to shape the way we deliver our professional best to our stakeholders. Bourke & Associates is that organization. I want you to know what a profound and rich impact your training (Crucial Conversations) had on me and our group. A huge part of “the excellence” was not just the material (although it's great!) -- it was you! Your presentation/facilitation skills are top notch. Also, the modeling that you provided, actually “living the principles” in alignment with what you teach was so powerful!"

C. Close, Principal – Plano Independent School System

"The ability to genuinely and comfortably engage in a conversation with another individual where one pays as much attention to listening to “what is being said” as they do to “what they want to say” is a true talent. Living 'life in the fast lane' leaves too little time with key individuals to not want to make a positive impact on them with every interaction. I've found that I actually have more time left over at the end of the day by utilizing many of the tools that Crucial Conversations has taught me."

Melissa Outman, SVP Graphic Systems – Euro RSCG Inc.

"Well gang, it has been a week now since our Group Facilitation Methods class and some of us have already had a chance to use the new methods we learned in training. I am most pleased with the enthusiasm with which we are embracing these new and valuable methods. Don’t forget you should feel free to call each other for help in setting up a meeting that you may be running. Trust the methods. They work if you use them. In the mean time ...Happy Facilitating.”

J. C. Driskell, VP Commercial Transportation - CitiCapital Technology

"Bourke & Associates has provided IAAM the essential ingredients of strategic planning that were necessary to catapult our international organization to the next level of professionalism. Their design and facilitation helped turn the otherwise ominous and complex task of implementation into a promise of predictable and achievable outcomes. We have made a quantum leap in our organization's infrastructure that effectively leveraged our in-house expertise and engaged our board members, volunteers and staff at a grassroots level."

Dexter King, President – International Association of Assembly Managers

“ What a great job you did! I heard so many of our regional managers say what a feat it was to get all our opinions together and to be “on” all day in front of us. (I particularly like the interjections of humor....but then again that is me). I hope our attendees told you how much they enjoyed our session. It was great to work with you - you are very genuine and hands-on, and that’s a great comfort to a meeting manager."

Events Coordinator - Nationally known real estate brokerage company