January 31, 2024
Just over a year ago, I took a big leap on an ordinary day.
It was January 3, 2023, a Tuesday. I did some very ordinary things earlier in the day: went back to work after the holiday break, saw the dentist for a check-up, ate dinner with my family. And then I sat down at the computer in my home office to continue working on what was becoming my new passion: Fosgail. I didn’t have an expectation of what I would complete that evening. It wasn’t something I planned in advance.
A voice came into my head and said, “What are you waiting for? Why not now?”
Within an hour, I filed a certificate of organization for Fosgail LLC. I took a leap.
It is now January 2024 and there is a lot to celebrate about Fosgail’s first year. We’ve accomplished some big things and helped several clients open possibilities through coaching and consulting. Here are a few highlights and what we’re looking forward to in 2024.
Executive Coach, Credentialed and Accredited
The first few months of 2023 were dedicated to learning new ways of being, listening, and engaging through executive coaching. In March 2023 I successfully completed the Practitioner Diploma in Executive Coaching with the Academy of Executive Coaching. It was the result of five months of reading, reflecting, and practicing that was enriched beyond measure through the support and encouragement of the AoEC faculty members and the other members of my cohort. My accreditation is currently with the AoEC while I work toward accreditation with the Association for Coaching.
As an executive coach, I work with professionals and leaders who are ready to imagine a more meaningful work life that is aligned with their personal values. In the coaching space we co-create, I help them to navigate change and discover a renewed sense of purpose so that they can look forward to doing something they believe in and do it well. I am currently accepting new coaching clients. If you’d like to explore working with me, please consider signing up for a free chemistry session.
Integrated Library Planning, a Game-Changer
On another rather ordinary day in April 2023, I was surprised by an email from my editor announcing that Integrated Library Planning: A New Model for Strategic and Dynamic Planning, Management, and Assessment had arrived from the printer and was shipping to eager readers. Holding the book in my hands after so many years of writing and revisions was a moment I had long looked forward to. Reception of the book has been overwhelmingly positive. The most noteworthy acclaim can be found in the October 2023 issue of Library Journal. LJ editor and reviewer Sarah Hashimoto gave the following verdict:
Stephens’s innovative approach to strategic planning is a game-changer, with the potential to increase engagement, effectiveness, and financial accountability. A generative, inclusive approach for libraries of all sizes and types.
Read my interview with Lauren Hays on the Lucidea blog.
Listen to my conversation with Jen Hoyer on the New Books Network Library Science channel podcast.
Building a Sustainable Business that Benefits Others
From the very beginning of my dreaming about Fosgail, I wanted to build a business that was more about benefitting others than about profits. This is why we are organized as a benefit limited liability company, naming specifically that we create public benefit by promoting the advancement of knowledge. As part of our benefit LLC status, we are required to assess and report on our public benefit. We have adopted the GRI Standards as our tool for assessing our impact on people, the economy, and the environment.
Our 2023 Sustainability Report is available here.
Spreading the Word about Fosgail
In December 2023, we successfully applied for a listing on the Library Consultants Directory, another significant milestone for our startup. While our ideal clients are not always situated in a library, our team of consultants has found it important to remain connected to librarianship.
Our current and recent clients include theological libraries, public libraries, churches, librarians, faculty members, and individuals working in non-profits. A few testimonials are already posted on our homepage.
We’ve opened up some new ways to connect with like-minded individuals and organizations, which we’re excited to share:
- Book an appointment with me directly to talk about coaching or consulting
- Follow Fosgail on LinkedIn
- Subscribe to our new mailing list to get updates when we post a new blog article and when we launch our podcast later this year.