The HSCT Ecosystem

“Do you know what my favorite renewable fuel is? An ecosystem for innovation.”- Thomas Friedman

We have talked to so many good people in the last few months of launching Human Services Consulting and Training (HSCT) that our heads are spinning.

We’ve gotten encouragement from fellow entrepreneurs, small business owners, professional association members, lawyers, mental health professionals and others, as we build a consulting firm dedicated to the principle of empowering people to ethically attain peace in their lives.

We’ve also gotten questions from folks about the system that we have set up to manage our online and social media presence.

Now, social media is tricky for everyone and, as a small business start-up, we have to light and nimble on our feet; able to respond effectively to any opportunity or connection that may come our way.

Below is an infographic demonstrating what the social platforms are that make up the social ecosystem of Human Services Consulting and Training (HSCT).Take a look and let us know where YOU would like to connect with US! And remember, the greatest ecosystems are the one’s that people build together in peace.

Feel free to click on any of the links to any of our social platforms to connect with us for a consultation, a quote, or to inquire about the specific services that Human Services Consulting and Training (HSCT) can provide for your workplace, church or higher education organization.

-Peace Be With You All-

Jesan Sorrells, MA 
Principal Mediator/Consultant
Human Services Consulting and Training (HSCT)
Follow the Human-Services-Consulting-and-Training page on Facebook
Follow our Principle Consultant, Jesan Sorrells, on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Sorrells79
Connect with HSCT on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jesansorrells/
Email HSCT questions or comments at: hsconsultingandtraining@gmail.com
Check out HSCT’s NEW website: http://hsconsultingandtrain.wix.com/hsct

What CEOs Should Know About Employee Engagement

Hello!

If you are a small business owner in the Southern Tier of NY State, then the infographic below, courtesy of our friends at ADRtimes (http://networkedblogs.com/KAG0M) applies to you as well.

What CEOs Should Know About Employee Engagement

What CEOs Should Know About Employee Engagement infographic

Please consider HSCT for all of your employee engagement needs.

What Does it All Mean?

The way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning.” – Morrie Schwartz
Our principle conflict engagement consultant, Jesan Sorrells, is often asked on sales calls for Human Services Consulting and Training (HSCT) a very interesting question by potential clients, customer and vendors:
What does HSCT stand for?
HSCT’s stance, approach and core, are best defined through our brand’s tagline, “Helping YOU ethically attain PEACE in YOUR life.”
Our tagline is more than just a witty phrase, or a method of branding; it reflects and defines the mission, values and vision for our consultants and our company.
So,in the interests of answering the question (and creating a fabulous image to boot) we challenge you to follow our word-by-word, breakdown in the infographic below. 
Helping YOU ethically attain peace in YOUR life.
That’s what Human Services Consulting and Training (HSCT) is all about.
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Like many this week, we watched the events in Boston following the bombing at the Boston Marathon with a mixture of many emotions. 
The subsequent manhunt and capture of the alleged bomber, and the subsequent information that was revealed about his upbringing, brought us back to the events at Sandy Hook, Connecticut last year.
We don’t know what to make of all of this yet, but we here at HSCT would like to take the time to encourage you to read our post from December 2012, “Masculinity in Conflict” here (http://consultingandtraining.blogspot.com/2012/12/masculinity-in-conflict.html#links) and let us know what you think by commenting below or sending us a brief email at hsconsultingandtraining@gmail.com.

-Peace Be With You All-

Jesan Sorrells, MA 
Principal Mediator/Consultant
Human Services Consulting and Training (HSCT)
Follow the Human-Services-Consulting-and-Training page on Facebook
Follow our Principle Consultant, Jesan Sorrells, on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Sorrells79
Connect with us on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jesansorrells/
Email us questions or comments at: hsconsultingandtraining@gmail.com

Guest Blogger Leah Cagle: Why I Mediate

“It isn’t enough to talk about peace. One must believe in it. And it isn’t enough to believe in it. One must work at it.”- Eleanor Roosevelt

Leah Cagle of Georgia Mediation Professionals, Inc., brings 20+ years of educational, entrepreneur and life experience to her extensive work in the field of mediation.
A seasoned practitioner with experience in  real estate, small business ownership, commercial development and construction, Leah has a sensitive and heartfelt approach toward working with all her clients and their needs.

Georgia Mediation Professionals, Inc., mediates civil and criminal cases referred to them through the Georgia State Court System as well as domestic cases.

Leah is a certified Christian counselor and brings her experience as a certified professional coach to the mediation table. She is a good friend of HSCT’s and we support her in her mission and goals to bring true peace and meaningful change to the world.
Check out the Georgia Mediation Professionals website at http://www.georgiamediationprofessionals.com/.
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“I could never do what you do. Not in a million years!”
Uprise
That’s what I hear when I tell people I am a Mediator/Peacemaker. Conflict isn’t a favorite thing on most individual’s lists, however, I live my life’s work and mission in the messy middle of people’s conflict.
Why do I do it? I don’t practice Peacemaking because I’m looking to get rich or because it’s easy. Peacemaking is very difficult and high stress every day (I work with Lawyers!).
Starting a new business is difficult, high stress and often shows little return (financially) in the early years. The field of Mediation is tough! Getting a foot in the door is a huge challenge, and keeping it there requires a strong work ethic, honing of my skills set, and consistency.
As the world and the field of Conflict Resolution changes, we, as Peacemakers, must adapt.  Peacemaking isn’t what I do, it’s who I am. I am passionate about modeling a better way to “do conflict”.
The world around us is changing at the most rapid pace ever. We have lost the art of civil discourse. Conflict escalates daily. We need Peacemakers in every arena of life.
Networking, even if I don’t see a return on the contact for months or years, continual dialogue with other Peacemakers, listening to their ideas and thoughts on change, walking into another Peacemaking setting even though yesterday’s left me exhausted, I do all these things because I am a Peacemaker.
I am passionate about peace.

Leah Cagle, M.A.
Conflict Resolution Specialist
 -Peace Be With You All-
 Jesan Sorrells, MA
Owner/Principal Conflict Engagement Consultant
Human Services Consulting and Training (HSCT)
Follow the Human-Services-Consulting-and-Training page on Facebook
Follow our Principle Consultant, Jesan Sorrells, on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Sorrells79
Connect with us on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/jesansorrells/
Email us questions or comments at: hsconsultingandtraining@gmail.com

Guest Blogger Larry Wolverton: So you want to be an entrepreneur? Are you sure? Are you really sure?

The only place where success comes before work is in the dictionary.” – Vidal Sassoon
If what you are doing is not moving you towards your goals, then it’s moving you away from your goals.” – Brian Tracy
We here at Human Services Consulting and Training (HSCT) are committed to helping each one of our clients (and our potential future clients) to ethically attain peace in their lives through the real-world application of Christian ethical principles.
We are also committed to collaboration and collaborative learning from other professionals, not only in our field, but in fields that interest us and can provide us insight, such as the arts, engineering, medicine, and so on.
With that in mind, we are launching our Guest Blogger series.
For the remainder of April and May, as the leaves begin to pop out and spring visits our country, we will be featuring the thoughts, opinions and commentary of professionals in the field of mediation and conflict engagement.
We hope that these writings will inspire and engage YOU to ethically attain PEACE in YOUR life.
Our first guest blogger is Larry Wolverton, Change Maker & Chief Connector at Top Tier Liaison & Conflict Resolution Services in Arizona.
Connect with them through their website at https://www.toptiercommunicators.com/Home.html
Top Tier focuses on developing communication around change in businesses and organizations through the use of analyses, methodology and a multidisciplinary approach to communication between employees and management.
 Larry has multiple years of experience in education and with healthcare start-ups as well as international experience that he brings to the conflict engagement and communication table.

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Public speaking is just part of the job of an entrepreneur.
Today I am thinking about the “Entrepreneurial Spirit” and those traits that I feel make for a contented, happy, self-employed person. I will also explore what it means to be an entrepreneur, both in your own business or as a valued employee of another company.
Most people I have met had, at one time or another, “toyed” with the idea of starting their own business, so the idea is attractive for several reasons; potential unlimited income only constrained by our own efforts, freedom to make our own schedule, and doing things “our own way” are just a few advantages that we see successful entrepreneurs sharing with us in their highly visible life styles.
Not mentioned are the 60-100 or more hours per week required during the start-up phase (up to five years on average), or the stress of development of an idea for public consumption, the work required to create a clear business plan and company direction, and of course the ever high hurdle of financing a new business or business idea.
I would like to point out that to be a successful entrepreneur failure is a necessary ingredient in the mix of experiences required on the path to success. There is a very fine line between failure and success.
Learning how to manage failure and learn those lessons from “fantastic failure” is just one of those dues required to understand how to succeed in business.
I have paid those dues, however I feel the impact of those past failures has been tempered by lessons learned as an employee for others who paid to train me in production, operations, management, and other areas where transferrable skills are learned.
And for those with “great ideas”, there is the ever present negative feedback from those who “care about you.” Critical review of a new idea, product, or business plan is essential to remaining grounded. However the choice of who reviews these critical aspects of your business must be undertaken seriously so that a neutral, knowledgeable opinion is obtained.
I find the mindset shift from employee to owner/manager a natural one that also allows me to understand some of the business decisions my employer has made during my tenure at my “weekend” job, too.
So the question is more appropriate when we ask, “Do you want to be an entrepreneur, right now?” The desire to be self-employed is one that drives creativity and builds the traits necessary to actually be a business owner.
However, the learning process can and often is obtained by taking ownership of our current “day or weekend” jobs, and acting responsibly and creatively in performing above and beyond our employer’s expectations.
Today, right now, is the time to start building and demonstrating those traits that are commonly accepted as entrepreneurial and necessary to success.
Those traits include: humility, willingness to accept the need to change, a willingness to delegate and allow others to help grow the business, sharing the spotlight, listening to our industry experts and mentors, perseverance in face of “insurmountable” challenges, and a solid belief that what we are doing is right for us and our families, among many others.
And lastly, staying in the workforce and working for a company that demonstrates your personal values and goals, and that supports your efforts to be creative and a partner in growth, might be the best way to be an entrepreneur for you.
Not everyone has the luxury of taking the risks of starting their own business, and must forego that “dream” for the sake of their young family, or other reasons not highlighted here.
Taking that entrepreneurial spirit and applying it to your current job or seeking a new job more suited to your interests can be rewarding and just as fun and challenging without the stress.
Would I encourage you to go out into the world and build a business of your own? Yes, absolutely, but only if it is something you crave enough and have passion for that will drive you to follow through during challenging times.
Larry Wolverton,
Employee and Entrepreneur
Change Maker & Chief Connector
Top Tier Liaison &Conflict Resolution Services
Are you a business owner striving to bring the entrepreneurial traits of your employees out in their current jobs?
Top Tier Liaison & Conflict Resolution Services, will help you do just that through top tier, evolutionary communication.
Please see how here.
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-Peace Be With You All-
Jesan Sorrells, MA
Owner/Principal Conflict Engagement Consultant
Human Services Consulting and Training (HSCT)
Follow the Human-Services-Consulting-and-Training page on Facebook
Follow our Principle Consultant, Jesan Sorrells, on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Sorrells79
Connect with us on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/jesansorrells/
Email us questions or comments at: hsconsultingandtraining@gmail.com
Check out our NEW website: http://hsconsultingandtrain.wix.com/hsct

Active Listening, Traveling in Another Country and #BuildingForTheFuture

“Listen wisely; listen to others; listen to yourself; listen to the UNIVERSE.” –Vadim Kotelnikov
Our primary consultant here at Human Services Consulting and Training (HSCT), Jesan Sorrells, just recently returned from traveling to Montreal, Quebec. The French-Canadian city is a mélange of voices, textures, history and perceptions that combine to make it different than any other city on the North American continent. 
While we visited there, the Montreal metro was used as the primary form of travel, as well as walking the city to take in the architecture and feel the rhythm of the city streets. It was the best way to really hear the language, take in the smells and look at the sights of this great city.

The metro travel put us in mind of a core element of resolving conflicts and building relationships: Active listening is the core of conflict resolution, mediation and collaborative law, as well as many of the other areas of the human/social services industry.

Active listening involves the listener attending to the speaker, maintaining good eye contact and a square posture,  paraphrasing, clarifying, checking to make sure that the listener’s perceptions are accurate with what is being stated by the speaker and finally, summarizing back to the speaker what was said. 

The infographic below illustrates the steps in performing active listening skills.


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When visiting another city in another country, where the primary language spoken is not English, we here at HSCT believe that practicing active listening is the best tool that someone has for tackling the daunting ways of international travel.

Let’s be clear, we are not saying that active listening will replace learning another language, engaging another’s history and experiences, or participating in active understanding (we are now very interested in investing in learning French as a second language after our experiences this weekend);  but active listening will help make the experience less shocking and conflict ridden.

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We here at Human Services Consulting and Training (HSCT) believe in the future. Our head consultant takes the view that we’re all going to wind up there eventually.

We believe in building new relationships from the ashes of conflicts that people, businesses, organizations and groups have had. We believe in reconciliation with the past so that the future can be better. We believe that by #BuildingForTheFuture, brick by brick and step by step, we can avoid many conflicts that would otherwise derail the future.

We also believe in the power of social media. We love Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Google+ and all those other applications that allow us to continue #BuildingForTheFuture.
This hashtag is the one that we will be using on both Twitter and Facebook for the next few months as the business of HSCT continues to expand into different content creation areas. Please take the time to click on it and start a conversation with us here at HSCT about the future.

With that being said, our NEW website launched this week. It give us the opportunity to focus on more of the products and services that HSCT offers as well as gives you an opportunity to connect with us via more than just our blog site here.
You can now check out the HSCT website here at http://hsconsultingandtrain.wix.com/hsct
We also have the mobile version for those of you with smartphones
here at http://m.wix.com/hsconsultingandtrain/hsct
-Peace Be With You All-

Jesan Sorrells, MA 
Principal Mediator/Consultant
Human Services Consulting and Training (HSCT)
Follow the Human-Services-Consulting-and-Training page on Facebook
Follow our Principle Consultant, Jesan Sorrells, on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Sorrells79
Connect with us on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/jesansorrells/
Email us questions or comments at: hsconsultingandtraining@gmail.com

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