Emergent, 20 Years On

It was April of 2003, and I was in New Jersey attending the first module of my coaching certification training while my wife and two young children were navigating the challenges of an ice storm that left them with no power for a few days.

So, while I was focusing on the coursework, wondering if I should return home early to be with my family, meeting my future business partner was the furthest thing from my mind. In fact, our initial interaction unfolded so awkwardly that I never expected to collaborate with this person again.

A bit of context. I am an extroverted learner who often processes out loud any thoughts or insights that I am intending to learn. Apparently, this form of processing, better known as “talking to yourself,” was a bit louder than I realized.

So as I was sitting in the conference room, in the same hotel where I began my consulting career 15 years previously, hanging onto and repeating every word uttered by iPEC founder Bruce Schneider, I was apparently making an impression on the young woman to my immediate right.

At the first break, that same quiet and cerebral young lady introduced herself to me and before I could ask about her background, she quickly asked if I was planning to continue talking to myself for the duration of the 3 days. Briefly taken aback, I offered an embarrassed apology.

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But then I gathered myself and responded, “Yes, I probably will, and if you really find it distracting you may want to sit somewhere else.” I could tell immediately that the honesty and commitment of my response resonated with this woman. Maybe she expected me to promise I’d change my behavior, or, on the other hand, take offense to the question. Instead, by choosing that authentic response, I unwittingly started a personal and professional relationship that would profoundly affect the course of my career. I didn’t know it then, but the business now known as Emergent was beginning to be born. The man who talked to himself out loud and the woman who got irked enough to ask that question went into business together a few months after that training ended in 2004.

Now, 20 years later, with a new name and our second location, Emergent continues to serve leaders, teams, and organizations in this region to raise their consciousness and performance.

Our sustained success is based on the authentic practice of five key values: Trust, Relationships, Contribution, Growth, and Creativity. While many would say that we are in the coaching and training business, we would suggest that we are in the relationship and trust business. It is our vision to be the firm of choice. Before embarking on transformational change, we want leaders to check in with us first. And we believe they will do this because they trust the authenticity of our coaches and the integrity of our values,

We believe that everyone has the same potential to improve and make an impact, but they do not all have the same opportunities. These opportunities are blocked by societal and organizational systems, and at times self-sabotaged by limiting beliefs held by the individual. Our job is to authentically and compassionately meet people and organizations where they are in order to guide them to where they could be – a department, an organization, a community, and a world that works for all.

Many thanks for 20 years of business, collaboration, and friendship. I consider it a privilege to be involved in such stimulating and rewarding work. To think it all started with a bit of thinking out loud!

If you’re interested in discovering how Emergent can raise the consciousness of you and your organization, send me an email at ralph@getemergent.com. We look forward to working with you.