Increasing Culture Alignment 27 Points in One Year

TPMA: A Case Study in Leader-Led Culture™

Founded in 1989, TPMA is an Indianapolis-based consulting firm that helps businesses, governments, and communities grow by creating plans, securing funding, and implementing programs to improve jobs, education, and local economies.

TPMA had already engaged ADVISA as a Predictive Index® and leader training partner when they found themselves at a crossroads…

Challenges

With a leaner team coming out of the pandemic and two C-suite positions in transition, TPMA was experiencing unprecedented change.

Laura Waldman, VP of Consulting & Impact for TPMA, recalls her team’s experience with ADVISA Leadership Consultant, Brad Smith, and Leadership Coach, Mike Elliott, during that critical time. “We already had a Leadership Academy on the calendar, when we found ourselves in the middle of several significant changes. We told Mike and Brad about it. Mike threw the PowerPoint out the window and spent an 8-hour day with us.”

Silvana Lavor, COO of TPMA, appreciated the flexibility, empathy and renewed focus. “They didn’t try to force us into following a curriculum. Instead, they shifted to helping us think through how to immediately apply the material.”

With new clarity and empowerment, that pivot was just the beginning of a cultural transformation for TPMA.

Solution

TPMA had already partnered with ADVISA on actionable Predictive Index® people data, ADVISA Leadership Academy training for culture leaders, and Emerging Leader Series cohorts when the team found itself needing to solve for new executive-level transitions.

ADVISA’s customized approach guided TPMA leaders through this period of transition, which collaboratively reshaped the organization’s culture.

“Activate” driver

Build commitment from the top.

  • When the executive team was faced with two C-suite positions in transition at the same time, it banded together to pause, reassess, and take advantage of outside perspective on its culture.

“Target” driver

Establish desired future state.

New Clarity Around TPMA’s Optimal Culture

  • Developed and implemented revised values to drive new alignment across the entire enterprise
  • Introduced “the TPMA Way” culture statement to define behaviors aligned with values

“Lead” driver

Develop confidence and capability.

  • ADVISA Leadership Academy training for culture leaders
  • Emerging Leader Series cohorts for new talent

“Apply” driver

Improve performance with people data.

  • Actionable Predictive Index® people data
  • Added measurement of culture/values alignment to the firm’s employee surveys

“Scale” driver

Enable behavior change.

  • Initiatives like half-day Fridays reflected the value of “people first,” earning positive feedback from both employees and clients

Results

“When we found ourselves in the middle of several significant changes, we told our ADVISA consultant and coach about it. They threw the PowerPoint out the window and spent an 8-hour day with us.”

Laura Waldman, VP of Consulting & Impact for TPMA

The partnership with ADVISA has empowered TPMA leaders to shape a bold new future for the organization, including:

  • New clarity around TPMA’s optimal culture
  • Increased employee engagement
  • New trajectory for growth

Discover the advantage of Leader-Led Culture™

To learn how ADVISA can help transform YOUR organization, request a free consultation today.