Featured Instigator: Eunice Parisi-Carew

This month we are featuring Eunice Parisi-Carew, Author, Consultant, and Co-Founder of the Ken Blanchard Companies.

Eunice holds a Doctorate in the Behavioral Sciences from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. As she traveled her career path, she has worked at USO Service Clubs, found herself working in the midst of street gangs, directed an alternative school, and taught at the University of Hartford as a Professor of Group Dynamics and Leadership.

Most recently, Eunice co-authored Collaboration Begins With You with Ken Blanchard and Jane Ripley. She has also co-authored The One Minute Manager Builds High Performing Teams (Rev.), High Five! The Magic of Working Together, and Leading at a Higher Level.

When asked about one of the best moments she has had professionally, Eunice shared, "I won the best teacher award at the university where I taught, and I won the Most Values Led Player at the Ken Blanchard Companies."

She thinks these are the most important qualities in leaders:

• honesty
• transparency
• communication skills
• critical thinking
• awareness of human dynamics
• strategic business sense

When questioned about the strangest thing she's ever been asked in a job interview, Eunice tells us she was asked, "Why would you want to work with kids? You are a kid yourself!".

The book The Wisdom of Teams: Creating the High-Performance Organization by Jon R. Katzenbach and Douglas K. Smith is a favorite. She believes schools should teach life skills and working collaboratively, probably instructional approaches that could contribute to students who become members (and leaders!) of high-performance organizations.

When asked the most creative solution she's ever seen to a problem in life or work, Eunice replied, "pose the problem, discuss and let it sit and steep a while before tackling it."

The best advice she's ever been given was, "be the best that you can be." If money were no object, she would "be the best she could be" traveling to different cultures.

If she had to hashtag her life, Eunice's would be: #allispossible.

One of Eunice's favorite quotes is "life is a very special occasion."

It was a very special occasion to be able to learn more about you, Eunice. Thanks.

Editor's Note - You may ask, “How does one get chosen to be a featured Instigator?” The answer is simple. If you are already an Instigator, fill out this form and continue to engage with the Lead Change Group on a regular basis. If you are not yet an Instigator, sign up. There are many benefits to being an Instigator – email us if you want more information.

Previous Featured Instigators:

2/2016: Chris Edmonds

1/2016: Marcella Bremer

12/2015: John Stoker

11/2015: Sean Glaze