Blackbird Leadership

Expertise

Lionel R. Shockness is an Executive coach, with an interest in diversity and cross-cultural relationships. His areas of coaching expertise include Emotional Intelligence, Conflict Management, Team building, Work-Life integration, Career planning and Personal development. He is a trained group facilitator in: stress management, conflict mediation, career transitions, and mid-life transtion issues.

Corporate and Consulting Experience

Lionel's training and coaching credits include MTV networks, Columbia University, New School University, and the National Recovery Institute in New York City. In conjunction with Harvard University and the Mind/Body Institute, Lionel engineered the delivery and implementation of The Relaxation Response - a training initiative designed to assist educators in evaluating student concerns, manage their stress and anxiety, while enhancing their overall effectiveness. The success of The Relaxation Response led to the programs inclusion in the Newark Public School system.

His style of coaching is based on the concepts of Appreciative Inquiry and the assertion that what we focus on becomes our reality; the language we use creates our reality. His coaching approach has been described as solution focused, goal oriented, intuitive, honest and compassionate. He strongly believes that through coaching, individuals attain a new level of consciousness. They become inspired and motivated to make behavioral changes which transforms them and the people around them. The results are increased personal satisfaction and enhanced overall performance in work and life.

In private practice for over 13 years as a clinical social worker and psychotherapist in New York City, Lionel has worked with Executives from companies such as, Hewlett Packard, Sharp, JP Morgan Chase, Disney, American Express, Moody's, Marsh, Essence, and Sony corp.

Academics/Certifications

Lionel holds a Masters in Clinical Social Work from Yeshiva University and a BA in Psychology from the State University of New York. He also holds academic certificates from the Greenwich Institute for Psychoanalytic Studies and The Institute for the Study of Culture and Ethnicity.