Darby Checketts / Cornerstone Professional Development

"I have served in the business world for over 25 years. I have continued to search for the one thing that would truly inspire my team, focus our efforts and become much more than the "flavor of the month." I am happy to say there is such a message and I know it works for any team, in any circumstance, serving any customer one can imagine. Darby's message of personal ownership, focusing on customer needs, and striving for excellence was a catalyst for me to change my life. After your recent training, the buzz is filling the air. Employees are putting up signs with their ‘Customer Outcome Responsibility' (COR) titles on their doors. Thank you for your powerful message and for the stimulating way you deliver it."
– Jody Mitchell, Duke Energy

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"This is just a note to thank you for your continued support in the professional development of the MSS Management and Consulting Teams. After years of searching and evaluating a variety of organizations and programs, our experience with Cornerstone over the past six months has been refreshing. The Customer Champion program established a foundation for our consultants to begin the quest for Customer Astonishment. I cannot think of any other training, program, or activity MSS has undertaken that evoked the number of positive comments from my professionals. I want to personally thank you for the interest you have shown in MSS' achievement of our corporate goals."
– Michael Hawksworth, MSS Technologies

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"I am writing to tell you how much I enjoyed your "Customer Astonishment" rally on Friday. It was very exciting and so good to hear someone promote a higher level of customer service ethic. Normal customer satisfaction is no longer the norm, people expect "exceptional" to be the standard these days and I am a firm believer in a little bit extra goes a very long way."
– Carol Maertz, Paddock Pools

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"When we first contacted you we were looking for a customer service training program that would reinforce a customer focus throughout our company. We got that with your training, and much more. You got us to think out-of-the-box and not just deliver good customer service, but to think of ways to "astonish" our customers. I appreciate the passion with which you delivered your message. You appealed to a very diverse group and made the training have meaning for everyone involved."
– Cheryl Slater, Carteret-Craven Electric Cooperative

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"Ever since we met years ago, I have continued to follow what you write. A large part of our thinking is in parallel. Customer Astonishment is a phrase I use often with credits to you, of course... and it is something we apply consistently with wonderful results. I have been so incredibly pleased with the results we have achieved based on the simple notion that success is a by-product of doing the right thing—even when no one is looking. Succeeding is a by-product of helping others... frequently much to their astonishment and glee. The joy derived from observing this astonishment is priceless."
– John Foltz, Realty Executives

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"As a retired Marine Lieutenant Colonel and current Director of Technology for a university research organization, I have always searched for clues as to why I succeeded (or didn't) when working on different tasks. Mr. Checketts has reduced that problem for me with this Leverage book. He has presented a uniquely uncomplicated framework for living—not a checklist. It's that good. I suggest giving this book to everyone you care about. They will all thank you for it."
– Bob Armstrong, Smithfield, Virginia

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"Darby Checketts has pulled off quite a feat with this mind-blowing book: he has given us a way to access the power of opposites, and find the huge positive energy that flows from viewing conflict as a gift. This book will free you from linear in-fighting and show you how to ride the flow of your own creativity so that you see that nothing is really wrong in your world. It is powerful, and very user-friendly."
– Steve Chandler, Author of Fearless

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"As a community college president, over the years I have been given a lot of good counsel such as hire people unlike yourself; discuss the ‘undiscussibles;' and what you resist, persists. Now, thanks to Darby Checketts, this type of wisdom and insight has been compiled into one easy to read book, Positive Conflict. The book is chock full of delightful stories and useful tips and techniques for dealing with conflict and diversity in positive and productive ways."
– Linda M. Thor, Rio Salado College

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"In Positive Conflict, Darby Checketts uses accessible, yet compelling language to elevate our capacity to resolve conflict within our professional and personal circles. A rare quality of Checketts' ideas and teachings rests in their enduring relevance and applicability to a broad readership across diverse professions, personalities, ambitions, as well as spiritual and political orientations. Checketts transforms ‘teamwork' from the buzz word that it has often become to a diversity-affirming, foundation principle of success."
– Dr. Elavie Ndura, George Mason University

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"Darby has a special way of connecting with the inner person and allowing his wisdom to seep in. He helps you see the possibilities and then teaches you how to make it happen! I have started using his recipes for leveraging conflict with amazing results!
– Pablo Villalon, Arizona Public Service

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"Positively refreshing, truly and finally an authentic next step in Frederick Hegel's thesis. This book gives the reader a powerful and necessary tool kit for today's leaders to wield in a world full of conflict and challenges. The harvest will be plentiful."
– Michael Del Chiaro, My1Stop.com

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"Another win-win for Darby and all that read Positive Conflict. Darby's ability to transform customary workplace obstacles into sensible, workable solutions is unique among authors of his ilk. He doesn't just write about it, he understands it. As a result, those of us interacting with similar issues on a day-to-day basis can actually ‘see the finish line' by taking advantage of his fresh perspective and amusing anecdotes."
– Marc Ruskin, ChFC, REBC, CLU, RHU

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"Darby Checketts' Positive Conflict is a must read for managers, parents, and anyone who is uneasy about conflict in general. After reading this enlightening book, you will learn to understand conflict and welcome the good that can be generated from it. This book will forever change how I lead, manage, and communicate with my co-workers, family, and friends."
– W. Patrick Snyder, St. Mary's Food Bank Alliance