ABOUT the AUTHORS

The authors – Andrea Sigetich and Carol Leavitt – live a dynamic and powerful philosophy that embraces leadership, choice, and self-determination. Both of us passionately live from our strengths. We both work with organizations to expand the possibilities for individual leaders to identify and apply their strengths. Our book, Play to Your Strengths, presents concepts, strategies, and tactics from our experience, our minds, and our hearts.

We are successful businesswomen who have worked in corporations and owned businesses for a combined total of 49 years. As organization development consultants and managers, as training designers and facilitators, as professional coaches working with leaders, and as change agents in corporations and communities, Andrea and Carol bring forth a unique perspective on the challenges of creating and developing competent leaders in organizations. Both know intimately – from our work with others, and our own inner work – the strengths, passions, and gifts that are necessary to be a highly effective leader in our modern, busy, over-achieving world.

Andrea Sigetich is a Master Certified Coach and leadership development consultant with her own company, SageCoach Inc., in Bend, Oregon. Carol Leavitt is the founder and principal consultant in her management and organizational development firm, Leadership @ Work, in St. George, Utah.

The authors invite you to contact them to discuss the strengths-based coaching and consulting work they bring to their client organizations, and its associated benefits.

Please go to the “Contact Us” page and submit your inquiry.

ANDREA SIGETICH

www.sagecoach.com

Andrea@Play2YourStrengths.com

Andrea Sigetich served in international management roles at General Electric, Digital Equipment, and Novell. She opened her own business, SageCoach Inc, in 1997. Her most significant organizational and coaching clients include Becton Dickinson, Choice Hotels, Clorox, eBay, FedEx Express, Ground, Services, and Supply Chain, Fidelity Investments, Hewlett Packard, Lotus Development, Lucent Technologies, National Computer Systems, Novell, Rapp Collins Worldwide, St. Charles Medical Center, Utah Transit Authority, and XO Communications.

Andrea’s work with corporations and individuals focuses on the development of individuals, and the structure and processes necessary to achieve personal and professional goals. Her career began with receipt of a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Michigan, and a Master’s degree in Human Resource Management (summa cum laude) from the University of Utah. She progressed during her career in human resources to her final “inside” job as Senior Director of Employee and Organization Development at Novell.

In her business, Andrea designs and delivers management and leadership development strategy for organizations. As a trained and certified leadership coach, with more than 4,000 hours of individual coaching, Andrea significantly increases her clients' capacity as leaders. She coaches executives, entrepreneurs, and leaders in all walks of life.

This is her first book, although Andrea has long been lauded for her ability to convey information, energy, and motivation through the written word. She created and ran the HR Communications Department at Novell. She published articles and newsletters. She acts as a part-time professional editor. She is a polished public speaker. She created and manages virtual and in-person communities for professionals in her field.

Andrea also lives her passion. Recently, she and her husband Beryl Rullman, made the choice to move to the small town of Bend, Oregon, where they enjoy their avocations of hiking, skiing, kayaking, geo-caching, and target archery. Andrea has designed her professional career to allow her to do the work she loves, live the leadership life she chooses, and achieve a fulfilling and balanced life. Her own capacity to choose with integrity and intention attracts clients to her, and adds further credence to her expertise in this area of strong leadership.

Andrea's Favorite Resources

CAROL LEAVITT, MBA

www.yourleadershipatwork.com

Carol@Play2YourStrengths.com

Carol Leavitt has consulted in management and organizational development for twenty years. She established her own firm – Leadership @ Work – in the mid-1980’s, and advises a range of businesses – from Fortune 500 organizations to small, individually owned companies – in financial services, health care, high-tech, telecommunications, and more. In 2005, Seagate Technology recruited Carol to head its Global Leadership Development function – to work with more than 5,000 executives positioned globally throughout Asia, Europe, and the U.S. After spending a year in Silicon Valley, Carol returned to the diversity and challenge of external consulting work.

Carol received her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Utah State University, cum laude, in 1981. After spending fifteen years in the corporate arena, she returned to school to complete her Master of Business Administration degree, with highest honors, at Westminster College, receiving a special certificate in Human and Organizational Development. While in graduate school, Carol also completed training as a professional coach.

Carol specializes in implementing innovative leadership and management development solutions to help managers, teams, and organizations maximize their effectiveness and impact in the workplace. She develops strong client relationships in order to understand and analyze leadership issues, and she designs coaching, consulting, and training solutions that will lead to increased performance and engagement throughout the organization.

Carol’s numerous presentations at national and regional conferences highlight her capabilities as an orator. She has spoken on leadership strategy, management excellence, work/life balance and many other topics, for organizations such as the American Medical Association, the Business and Professional Women’s organization, the Society for Human Resource Management, Women in Communication Inc., and the National Association for Purchasing Managers.

Early in her career, Carol spent many years in the television industry, where she gained confidence and ease in front of the camera and on the podium as a spokesperson and anchor/host. Her leadership experience and unbridled energy make her the perfect representative for Play to Your Strengths on the speaking and media circuits. Addicted to the dynamic exchange that occurs through dialogue in the classroom – or in any learning environment – Carol teaches as an adjunct professor with the University of Utah and the University of Phoenix.

Carol easily translates her discriminating communication talents into significant skill with the written word. She writes for publication in local and regional trade journals and specialty magazines, and enjoys considerable regard among peers, associates, and clients for her deftness with language and vocabulary. A sample of Carol published work appears at the end of this section.

Carol lives in the beautiful desert of southern Utah and enjoys engaging in hiking, cycling, camping, and water sports in the great outdoors with her family.

Carol's Favorite Resources