Brent Robertson: Get To Know The Possibility That Is You. A Homage To Mel Toomey’s Work

Famed psychologist William James was rumored to say, “They’ve asked me to talk about the last hundred years of psychological research,” he allegedly told a room of academics prepared for a lengthy speech. “It can be summed up in this statement: People, by and large, become what they think of themselves. Thank you and good night.”

If this quip is at all true, and we really do become what we think, perhaps it is a good investment to spend a little time exploring how we think of ourselves. The first Sip Session of 2022 is an homage to organizational leadership pioneer Mel Toomey and his 60 plus years of work helping people develop a deeper relationship to self as a means to realize their full potential as leaders.

In honor of Mel’s recent passing, Brent Robertson, Mel’s long-time friend, student, and collaborator, will lead an inquiry designed to provoke attendees to think more about how they think of themselves. This experience promises to open new or unexplored dimensions of you, that when revealed, expands the possibility you are designed to live into. Not a bad way to start off a new year.

About Mel Toomey
Mel’s work focused on the development of leaders who have taken the use of knowledge and process to their respective limits—people interested in “who they are being” not just what they know and what they do. These are leaders who see that “being change-ready” is not the same as understanding change or doing things about change. Mel served as a guide, leading his clients into unexplored areas of being—areas that amplify the effectiveness of people who are performing at the top of their game.

Holding an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters for his contributions to establishing leadership as a profession, Mel was an educator, executive advisor, and organizational consultant. He founded The Center for Leadership Studies and Generative Leadership Group. He was the principal designer for one of the first Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership (MAOL) programs ever offered at University. Mel served as Scholar in Residence at The Graduate Institute in Bethany, Connecticut, and as a teacher at the University of Arkansas.

Mel passed quietly at home with his wife Dana in late November of 2021.

About Brent Robertson
Brent works with leaders to create high-performance, purpose-driven teams and organizations. As co-founder of Fathom, he champions an approach to executive coaching, strategic planning, leadership development, succession, and transformation that prioritizes people and relationships. As a result, his clients don’t simply plan their futures, they bring them to life through the energy of organization-wide involvement in, and commitment to, generating organizations that perform beyond what their history, or their industry says is possible.

Beyond Fathom, Brent is an advocate, advisor, and accomplice for those committed to create a better future for the people they touch, and is a sought-after speaker on the topics of leadership, purpose, and community. Brent has oriented his life around helping people create conditions for their success, and is the creator of the personal development company Purpose Practiced where he uses his personal transformation experience as a place from which to mentor others on their growth journey.

Brent is a graduate of the MAOL program, and continues to bring the leadership and organizational development work of Mel Toomey and Judi Neil and their peers forward.

Photography by Mike Marques.

Reminder:
Bring an open mind and an open heart. And have a favorite beverage on hand to enjoy a virtual toast.

When:
Wednesday, January 19, 2022, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM