Under the pressure to produce, people can resort to quick judgments of others—right or wrong, good or bad, my way versus your way—without taking into account the complexities of individual and organizational behavior. Acting on these oversimplified judgments often results in costly unintended consequences. The LIFO Method provides leaders, managers, and teams a practical approach to managing individual, interpersonal, and group performance that encompass the complexities of human behavior within a simple but powerful framework.

Developmental Strategies

LIFO certifications begin by identifying each participant’s unique orientation to life and work, or behavioral style. This includes the enduring values they cherish, the goals they strive to achieve, and the strengths they bring to their work and relationships—both when things are going well and in situations of stress or conflict. Based on this information, participants learn how to:

• Capitalize. Make greater use of their strengths.
• Moderate. Save time and energy.
• Extend. Fill in their blind spots.
• Supplement. Leverage the strengths of others.
• Bridge. Communicate more effectively with others.
• Collaborate. Work more collaboratively in groups.

A Legacy of Success

For over 35 years, organizations spanning every industry in more than 30 countries have utilized the LIFO Method to improve performance at all organizational levels, from the board room to the shop floor. Applications range from leadership development and strategic planning to team building, interpersonal communication, and time management.

Essential Applications

The LIFO Method is a core performance improvement technology with four essential applications:

1. Break the Performance Barrier. A half-day or one-day workshop that empowers people at all organizational levels to consistently produce their very best work. Participants learn practical skills for managing their performance that really make a difference. They learn how to:
   • Eliminate time-wasting work habits by learning how to set priorities, set limits, get focused, and get going.
   • Develop a 360° perspective while gathering information, for more effective planning and problem-solving.
   • Accomplish tasks more quickly and completely by utilizing a wider range of talents and strengths.
   • Work with greater enthusiasm and mutual regard to accomplish shared goals.
2. Build Teams That Work. A one-day workshop that helps teams set priorities and maximize the contributions of all team members. It encourages real problem-solving and real teamwork without creating hassles, hard feelings, or harsh confrontation. It creates long-lasting results by enabling participants to:
   • See situations from multiple points of view.
   • Take advantage of diversity—rather than resisting it.
3. Bridge the Communication Gap. A half-day follow-up to Break the Performance Barrier that enables people to get through to others more easily, obtain agreement with less effort, and get things moving quickly. Participants learn how to:
   Recognize other people’s most preferred channels of communication.
   Translate their messages so they answer the key questions uppermost in other people’s minds.
4. Coach Breakthrough Performance. The LIFO Method provides a set of powerful learning and development strategies and tools you can use to enhance coaching sessions with executives, managers, team leaders, and individuals who want to improve their interpersonal effectiveness. It will enable you to quickly identify core performance issues, set goals for change, and effectively monitor progress. You will be able to provide valuable advice about how to handle challenging situations as well as difficult relationships.

LIFO Certification

Certification is offered through public workshops, in-house workshops, and guided self-study. Programs vary in length from two to five days, depending on the country in which they are delivered and the skills that are covered.