Connection Labs’ workshop experiences make a positive and lasting impact on teams and individuals.
“I have not been to a more transformative experience in years upon years upon years. Take the leap of faith and just go for it!”
“The Connection Labs team has ‘broken the code’ on remote learning. This workshop delivers all of the insights and far more practical content than other bigger, more expensive and extensive programs… I would recommend the workshop for any team - executive, sales, project - that is looking to perform at an elite level.”
– Joe Donze, CEO, LSC Environmental Products
“Participating in the Connection Labs process helped our team bond during a time of feeling isolated from remote work. We learned about our own and each other’s strengths and how to best utilize them on our team and in our personal lives. We saw so much value in the workshop that our team also recently participated in the “Leading with Intention” session. I highly recommend working with the Connection Labs team to help strengthen your team’s culture and connections.”
– Jessica Neumer, US-Central Career Network Leader, Ernst & Young
“I've worked in a variety of sectors and attended myriad professional development programs in my career. While I've always learned something, Connection Labs was the only time I've critically reflected on how I lead and hold space with others. I even shared my ugliest insights with complete strangers and found myself better for it. A truly profound experience that's affected how I show up at work and at home.”
– Andy Tousignant, Independent Consultant for Social Impact (and advisor for Connection Labs after attending the workshop)
“I was one of those people who thought I knew everything about myself and how I showed up in the world. The Connection Labs workshop helped me realize that was only half-true: I did know myself pretty well, but I had a tendency to look at myself in a very binary way: I AM this, and I am NOT that. Full stop.
The wonderful leaders and participants in the workshop helped me see myself through more of a prism. They taught me how to approach my areas of challenge not as weaknesses, but as "lesser strengths" that can evolve over time. And they helped me see those with different strengths as simply different - not "less than" or "weaker" than me.
I learned so much in this workshop about how to employ all my qualities to bring the most appropriate, most relevant and most productive parts of myself to any given situation, group or moment. This stuff runs so deep that I think it will be years - maybe forever - until I realize the full impact of what I've learned from the wise and sensitive folks at Connection Labs. I hope to keep applying it in some way every day.”
– Allison Wood, CEO and Co-Founder, DaVinci Education
“Truly - that was incredible. You have created a workshop that's thought-provoking, weaves in reflection, interaction, and education, and contains no fluff. I'm so impressed.”
– Kelly Nolan, Time Management Strategist, Founder at Kelly Nolan LLC
“The Connection Labs experience was a great deep dive into many of the most significant and helpful systems that are out there: especially to understand Self within context to work, leadership, team, and my own personal relationships. The cohort setting was both helpful and expansive, but the facilitation and scaffolding done over the weeks were the gold that most showed through - I emerge with tools not only for myself, but for my team. I already have my most senior staff signing up for a cohort that I’m sure will yield solid insights and community to grow more into their role - frankly, in the absence of a formal leadership training system, this is I’m sure going to be a robust foundation to build upon.”
– Ethan Knight, Founder, Carpe Diem Education
"The Connection Labs course has been an absolute game-changer for me. It not only transformed my communication skills but also empowered me to navigate social situations with ease. I've gained clarity around my boundaries, and become a more empathetic teammate. If you're looking for a transformative experience that enhances both personal and professional aspects of your life, I highly recommend joining a Connection Labs course!"
– Liz Gleadle, 3x Olympian, Keynote Speaker
“Connection Labs is a beautifully designed learning experience, with skilled facilitators, expert management of the remote learning environment and well researched materials. But more than that, I found the workshop series to be a joyful journey in community with others. The exploration of strengths, leadership styles, and listening frameworks created space to reflect on how I lead and how I show up in the world. The conversations with fellow participants led to unexpected insights. I left the workshop with new frameworks and tools and increased awareness of how to deploy the strengths and skills I already had. I highly recommend the workshop series to anyone who wants to connect and communicate with those around them (at work and at home!) more effectively!”
– Kathy Davies, Managing Director, Life Design Lab, Stanford University
“Connection Labs workshop participants learn skills and tools essential to making the most of interpersonal relationships, be they professional or personal. Different from 'professional development' courses, executive coaching, and psychotherapy, but culminating in outcomes similar to those processes, Connection Labs is an engaging and efficient opportunity to enhance self-awareness and navigation of important relationships.
The workshop far exceeded my expectations in terms of its relevance to my life's endeavors. With action-packed weekly hour-long virtual classes, and engaging and manageable assignments to be completed at the participant's convenience, the workshop presented many "a-ha" moments with immediate impact. I learned to detect -- in myself and in others -- strengths, leadership styles, and conflict resolution techniques. I became aware of organizational structures that build trust and optimize performance, and improved my communication and listening competencies.
Our workshop cohort was a mix of thoughtful, dedicated, diverse participants, with whom comfort and closeness developed immediately through productive exercises requiring reflection and communication. The workshop facilitators are gifted and passionate about their work. Workshop materials are tailored to each participant. The logistics run smoothly, and support and opportunities for more engagement are available. Connection Labs' workshop requires a relatively small commitment of time and money for enormous rewards in terms of professional advancement and satisfaction, and personal fulfillment.”
– Andrea Howland, Volunteer and Non-Profit Board Member
“I really can’t say enough great things about the workshop and Connection Labs— it was honestly really transformational for me. I learned SO much about myself and my own working style, and how to navigate relationships with that knowledge. I’ve done a few workshops like this since and so far none has held a candle to Connection Labs — theirs stands out as the most practical, applicable, and well-facilitated by leaps and bounds.”
– Kate Wood, Manager of Client Partnerships, The Stott Group
"Our management team spent the day together with Connection Labs exploring the concept of psychological safety through the lens of deeper self-reflection of our individual strengths, leadership styles, and unique contributions to our team. I learned so much about myself and even more about my colleagues. Everyone who participated expressed a new appreciation of and skillset for building trust, setting healthy boundaries, and suspending judgment while working together to accomplish incredibly important work in our community. Connection Labs is a dynamic team with the ability to share profound insights and concepts in practical and easy to understand ways."
- Laura Perez, Development Manager, Visions for Creative Housing Solutions
“Connection Labs gave me the opportunity to learn about myself on a deeper level through our weekly workshops. One of the most impactful moments for me was learning about psychological safety and unpacking how it affected my relationships with my current and former superiors. I strongly recommend this workshop to anyone hoping to gain more self awareness and form deeper connections within their personal and professional lives.”
– Jasmine Lane, 4th Grade Math & Science Teacher, James E. Plew Elementary School
“The team at Connection Labs has perfected the online professional development experience. Not only do they weave together a comprehensive tapestry of resources and reflection points, but they also skillfully and joyfully build a closeknit cohort. The Connection Labs team ensures that all participants feel heard, held, and supported from beginning to end."
- Emilia Ayon, Director of Programs, Leadership and Governance, National Association of Independent Schools
“The learning process design of the Connection 101 Workshop is intellectually fascinating, and I appreciated the rigor of the concepts and materials— the balance of structure and exploration keeps sessions on track while providing room for reflection and synthesis. I now know myself more fully and am a better husband, father, friend and colleague as a result of the course. I can not recommend Connection Labs enough for individuals and teams.”
- John Lehman, VP of Strategy, Corporate Development and Government Relations at Fincantieri Marine Group
“The Connection Labs team provided a welcoming and safe space for a group of our senior Leaders to talk openly about Leadership. The activities allowed for the team to discuss how their different preferences and styles may create opportunities for deeper discussion and connections in the areas we find commonality as well as difference in. Since participating in the program, we have seen a positive change in how this group is leading their teams as well as connecting as a peer group. This workshop was an incredible example of how Amy and Ashley are able to connect with a group quickly and create opportunities for a transformative experience."
Mariah Whitcomb, Director, Talent Management and Development, Hypertherm Associates
“I had a fantastic experience at the Connection Labs workshop. It provided valuable self-insight and a judgment-free space to reflect on personal and professional situations. These perspectives greatly enhance my conflict mediation approach and empower me to bring out my best while collaborating with colleagues.”
– Charlie Giannone, 2nd Grade General Education Classroom Teacher, Riverhead School District
“I learned so much from the Connection Labs workshop, not only from the compassionate and knowledgeable facilitators, who guided us beautifully through the course, but from the other participants, who were learning alongside me. Now, I’m leaning into my unique strengths, some of which I didn’t recognize as strengths before. I’m more aware of how to be a better listener and communicator with my friends and family. The tools I gained in this workshop will help me for years to come.”
– Kimberly Williams-Paisley, Actor/Author
"The Connection Labs program was an excellent opportunity to take stock of how different leadership styles interact on a team. It was a great complement to the work-related coaching that I have done over the years, and I found the focus on leveraging strengths refreshing. The course was a great way to get a fresh perspective!"
– Lila Preston, Partner & Head of Growth Equity Strategy, Generation Investment Management
“The Connection 101 8-session series was an excellent program and I got a great deal out of it. I’ve participated in a number of leadership programs organized by large corporations, but this workshop was unique in the way it brought the pieces together. Managing people is challenging, and as I worked through the series, I found myself bringing relevant content and concepts to my leadership meetings. Having the Connection Labs organized binder also allows me to go back and refresh and be more intentional on a daily basis about the way I use these tools to communicate with my team. This work enables you to really understand and appreciate the individuals on your team and how they might or might not be communicating with you. If you're open to learning and you can commit the time to do the required work, this program is definitely well worth it.”
– Bill O’Brion, General Manager, Lyme Great Lakes Timberlands
"The learning in this workshop has been everything my friend said it would be, and more. Understanding what enables me to be effective as a leader in a group setting, in building trust and ensuring psychological safety—and what gets in my way— has been truly helpful in my work and personal life and has allowed me to really understand some poignant truths about myself in a new way. Few experiences are able to reveal, create space for, and build a process around discussing challenges or “lesser strengths” in a constructive way. Your workshop does this.
This workshop experience has been beyond valuable. Your expertise is offered with warmth, kindness, collaboration and great discipline. Connecting with other adults who are so readily available, generous, and willing to be truthful in a meaningful way really opened up the content for me."
– Ashley Doyle, Educator, Parent Volunteer, Board Member
“The work our group engaged in with the Connection Labs team had an immediate impact on my organizational leadership. I was able to objectively consider how my leadership style was shaping some of our agency’s initiatives and areas where I needed to take a step back and lean into some of my lesser used strengths to balance out my approach. What I appreciated most about the Connection Labs facilitators was the fact that they created an environment where challenges are accepted as opportunities and potential strengths. This is not easy to do in a virtual format, but it came through in their authentic communication style and humility. I would highly recommend this workshop to other leadership teams who are interested in taking a deeper look at how their leadership impacts their organization’s culture and decision making structure.”
– Stephanie Slayton, Executive Director, TLC Family Resource Center
“Connection Labs gave me the gift of embracing my strengths and lifting up the strengths of my team. It was a joyous, beautifully led process.”
– Carol Dunne, Producing Artistic Director, Northern Stage
“Connection Labs provides research-based tools with a human touch. The core workshop was such a great investment of my time and energy. Besides the pleasure of watching expert facilitators in action, I rediscovered my strengths and grew from reflecting on my shadow tendencies. The tight and efficient curriculum taught me new concepts and reminded me of something I’ve known deep down: understanding my own unique strengths and those of the people who surround me will help us flourish together.
If you are part of a team that sometimes forgets to listen to each other, or struggles to understand each other, Connection Labs can reset your group with purpose, safety, joy, and deep cohesion.”
– Alden Smith, former Director, the Mountain School
“The Connection Labs course was both an intensely reflective experience, as well as a launch pad for further work. My goals were to gain a greater understanding of my own strengths in functioning within a professional team, as well as develop some shared language and concepts with my colleague, and my goals were met perfectly. The instructors communicated clearly, they were welcoming, and they packed in the series with so much learning. I would recommend this course to anyone, and particularly organizations who want to boost communication.”
– Sarah Booker, Owner & Athletic Trainer, Athletic Restoration
“Connection Labs helped me identify both my strengths and other people’s strengths, and thus find ways to work together to create synergies rather than friction in my teams. The lessons unfolded each week, and built on each other, and continue to unfold after the program completed. I have a deeper understanding of myself and how I function best within teams, and find myself more willing to articulate my needs in order to play to my strengths.”
– Lela McCaffrey, Senior Advisor & CPA, Marble Trail Financial
“I loved the time I put in with Connection Labs. The concepts are simple, but oh so important! The program was just the right balance of informational content, practical time and opportunity to connect with others. It fits well into a busy schedule and left us feeling like we can do better as we navigate important relationships at work and in our lives.”
– Cami Thompson, Head Women’s XC Ski Coach, Dartmouth College
“Connection Labs was transformative for me both professionally and personally. The curriculum is designed in a way to engage all learning styles and so that you can retain what is most important. You walk away with new, invigorating knowledge to take you into the next season of your life. Through this process, I was not only able to reflect on my personal strengths and areas for growth, but also I was able to make sense of many of the interpersonal challenges I've faced in the past. This made the experience one of validation and affirmation.”
– Angela Kelley, Associate Director, Springfield Area Parent Child Center
“The curriculum is outstanding. The constellation of ideas and tools is brilliant. Your presentation of them is concise and clear. The organization of technology, materials, class structures, presentations, and exercises is immaculate and by itself creates a sense of momentum and security for the classes. You're all terrific presenters and convey competence, confidence, and warmth, and you (the facilitators) are authentically engaged with the material and the students. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to participate in Connection Labs!”
– Ethan Frechette, Director, Stebbins Bradley Law Firm
“A one-hour workshop with Connection Labs gave me more lightbulb moments than reading multiple Harvard Business Review articles. A rare gem of a workshop, full of actionable insights, and efficiently and effectively delivered.”
– Katherine Birnie, Managing Director, Ecosystem Investment Partners
“Understand yourself first.’ The Connection Labs program excels at creating a warm, dynamic, interactive environment that encourages participants to explore and practice essential skills that foster connection, collaboration and the opportunity to thrive. Through this self-discovery, we learn how to communicate better with ourselves and with others. Delivered in an engaging, succinct and impactful manner, the Connection Labs program is an experience that will resonate and be both a building block and a jumping off place from which to grow!”
– Amanda Thibert, Cultivate Growth - AHT Coaching
“Connection Labs empowered me to better understand myself and what I uniquely bring to my relationships, teams, and community. A genuinely engaging remote learning experience, I made real connections with my cohort and was always surprised by how quickly the hour went by. Additionally, the Connection Labs workbook created a structure to the course that enabled me to prepare for each class, cement my learnings, and make connections between course material and life experiences.”
– Elliott Williams, Founder, Elliott Mitzi
“I recommend Connection Labs as a professional development experience to build a more positive school culture and climate, where staff members can be taught how to respect each other's differences. There is so much that I could say about the program, but I believe that I am a better servant leader because of Connection Labs.”
– Dr. Janie Brown, 7th/8th Grade Math Teacher, 6th-8th Grade Math Chair, Laurel Middle School
“Connection Labs was, for me, like a giant flashlight; illuminating strengths I knew I possessed, shining a beam on qualities I'd like to cultivate, and ultimately, providing light on a path forward that will incorporate my skills and my growing edges into the work of deepening relationships. Now, what I've carried with me from the course shows up daily as a reminder of where I am and where I'd like to go as I engage with others in my personal and professional lives. I am profoundly grateful for the experience and for my new compass.”
– Marisa Donovan, Director of Operations & Development, Finding Our Stride
“Connection Labs made me look at myself and my role as an educator, administrator, colleague, husband, and father in such a new and positive light. The workshop enabled me to create better working relationships, and allowed me to find ways to motivate and inspire others. The work with Connection Labs is something I will use for the rest of my life!”
– Josh LeRoy, Associate Head of School and Dean of Faculty, Cardigan Mountain School
“It has been hard in recent years to find material that enables me to grow in my work and use of self as well as in my knowledge and understanding. This process, because it is more than a curriculum, hits all the marks. The very skilled Connection Labs team offered guidance to discovering new things about myself and my place in relationships, as well as mental models and practical approaches for appreciating and working with the strengths of others. The parts and the whole make sense in new ways. Well worth the time.”
– Sara Kobylenski, Consultant
“I recommend Connection Labs to any individual or group of people who want to foster their individual growth as well as their relationships. Connection Labs helped me to use my strengths, leadership styles and communication styles to maintain better relationships with my family, friends, colleagues and acquaintances. Although the workshop began with a bunch of strangers, by the end of the series, I felt a deep connection with my fellow participants and the facilitators. I hope to attend another Connection Labs workshop in the future with my teaching team so we can work more effectively together.”
– Monique Ross, Lead Teacher, San Lucas Union Elementary School District
“Something about the way the Connection Labs program was structured cemented the learning in a different way. It sounds simple and it is when done right.”
– Dawn Pons, Director of Executive Career Coaching, Ernst & Young
“What impressed me most about Connection Labs was how quickly and easily our team was able to integrate the concepts into our daily engagements. Just following our completion of the coursework, our leadership team was set to begin what has been in the past a fairly contentious annual budgeting process. However, armed with freshly honed skills and a much better understanding of each other, we easily delivered one of the most accurate and stress-free budgets that any of us could remember. What a difference!”
– Joe Donze, CEO, LSC Environmental Products
“The kaleidoscope of our individual values, strengths, communication styles, and behaviors around trust is unique. This course taught me to identify these important parts of myself, and offered perspective on how to most effectively use them in groups, in family, and at work. I feel like I did a few years of therapy packed into several workshops. Powerful.”
– Jane Esselstyn, best-selling author, The Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease Cookbook, The Engine 2 Cookbook, Plant-Strong and The Engine 2 Seven Day Rescue, educator, presenter, and RN
“Through the Connection Labs sessions, I have learned more about how I work and live my life than I would have in years of therapy. Connection Labs gave me the opportunity to dig deeper into my personal strengths, core values and communication style in a way that has already improved my approach to work, family and social interactions. Exploring the ways people lead and communicate has helped me build more respect and compassion for other people and how we all connect. I have an arsenal of tools to make any conversation go more smoothly.”
– Cindy Pierce, social sexuality educator, storyteller, and author
“Thanks for a great session… it was very fast-paced, lots of good engagement from the team members which is what I was hoping for… I feel that having the framework and shared vocabulary will establish a solid foundation for our team to grow and move to the next level.”
– Senior Director, Dartmouth ITC
“I've been skeptical of these exercises in the past, but this time I thought the sessions brought everyone together into a common framework/understanding on how to approach our daily work and daily interactions. I highly recommend having cross-sections of our entire staff work through this.”
– Director, Dartmouth ITC
“Easily the most worthwhile professional development I have done in my career as an educator. Connection Labs is well put together, thorough, and insightful. A truly excellent opportunity for anyone looking to grow as a teammate or leader.”
– Educator, Norfolk Academy
“This entire experience was absolutely amazing. I hope all of my colleagues have the chance to work with this amazing team. The facilitators genuinely care about each participant's experience and journey. It is in the top 5 of my professional development experiences from 24 years of teaching. You are all marvelous! Thank you!”
– Educator, Norfolk Academy
“Your work has the possibility to radically transform relationships in multiple settings.”
– Participant
“This experience has been perfected to a high art. I love how the workshop is structured around what you have rather than what you lack.”
– Participant
“Connection Labs is an incredible small-group workshop that equips you with a practical and applicable understanding of yourself and your strengths, leadership style, and conflict resolution style. The group uses increased awareness of self to understand how we can best build psychological safety and trust within groups, and foster an environment where everyone can be their best self.”
– Participant
“Having participated in many similar "team building" exercises (Meyers Briggs inventory, etc.) at various non-profit jobs, this is the best one I've done. Colleagues in the non-profit field are always looking for activities like this and I'll enthusiastically recommend yours as an effective one that had high utility & value for me personally as well as on my work team.”
– Participant, Center for Learner Equity
“A highly effective tool for understanding personality strengths and how it impacts personal and professional relationships, spread over a curriculum with helpful building blocks where you see the elements all come together into a whole.”
– Participant, Center for Learner Equity
“The applicability to personal and professional life is immediate and satisfying.”
– Participant
“You crushed the facilitation and the homework. I loved how all of the pieces of your curriculum stacked through the workshop.”
– Participant
“The Connection Labs workshop will lead you through many aha moments. It is revealing both to self and of others. The workshop makes you so aware of personality and character traits as well as strengths and how to best level them for effective teaming and relationship building.”
– Participant
“The facilitation was stellar. So intentional, streamlined, & engaging. From warm-ups that get us ready to engage with the content to organized breakout groups, everything was so well done. I was always shocked at how fast the time passed.”
– Participant
“Through their excellent marriage of technology, group discussions, breakouts and teaching, the team brings research to life as it relates to who you are and how you interact in the world. You walk away with more self-awareness of your strengths and tools for interacting with others in challenging situations. This workshop (makes) you a better colleague, parent and friend.”
– Participant
“Connection Labs gave our board and staff a unique opportunity to learn about each other in new and exciting ways. The workshop leaders were incredibly prepared, energetic, and thoughtful in their facilitation, and the use of technology kept our entire team engaged throughout the sessions.”
– Participant
“The workshop leaders artfully took us on a journey of awareness about ourselves and how we relate to others around us. The framework was clear and thoughtful, with each piece building on the last. Some of the concepts were familiar, but combined with the others really gave me a much clearer picture of how I show up in the world - what works and what needs adjustment. I wish for everyone - my team, my family, society - to have the opportunity to engage in such deep and supported work around self-awareness and strengths-based perspective on life.”
– Participant