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DISC, Motivators, Team Strengths DISC, Driving Forces, Cortex Team Strengths, Stress Quotient, Emotional Intelligence Each of these assessments delivers vital information to help you quickly assess the strengths and weaknesses of your team members and leaders. Using a proven Cortex method, these assessments based on real science will move you to a more efficient and effective way to pin point exactly what and who you need to focus on to create optimal performance from your team. TTI Success Insights (TTI SI) believes all people are unique and have talents and skills of which they are often unaware. TTI SI and its network of Value Added Associates, like Cortex Leadership Consulting, exist to reveal and harness these talents, using the Science of Self. Over three decades, TTI SI has researched and applied social and brain science, creating assessment solutions consultants in 90 countries and 40 languages used to hire, develop and retain the best talent in the world. TTI SI assessments are at work in the Fortune 1000 companies and have worked with over 100,000 companies over the years. TTI SI tools are EEOC and OFCCP compliant and are continuously tested and refined to ensure the highest standards of ethics and reliability, which is why Cortex has chosen to use TTI. With a tenacious, innovative culture, TTI SI and Cortex Leadership Consulting transform potential to productivity, performance and profits. TTI Success Insights® believes there are five dimensions of a superior performer that can be measured by our research-based assessments: Behaviors Motivators Acumen Competencies Emotional Intelligence Who you are, what you do and how you do it. The research-based, validated TTI Success Insights assessment we use at Cortex Leadership Consulting measures behaviors in five behavioral dimensions using the DISC theory. DISC measures Dominance, Influence, Steadiness and Compliance and was first developed by William Moulton Marston. Our Behaviors/DISC assessment is key in helping people understand HOW they behave and their ability to interact effectively with others in work and life, as well as how they respond to the following challenges: Problems and challenges Influencing others Pace of environment Rules and procedures To see a sample of our in-depth 23-page DISC Assessment Report, click here . Becoming self aware is the first step on your leadership journal. WHAT MAKES OUR DISC ASSESSMENTS MORE RELIABLE? The provider we use, TTI Insights, were the first DISC providers to guide companies from the prospective employee stage to selection, from on- board training to job-related development. More importantly, TTI SI is the only provider of DISC assessments in the marketplace that generates 384 unique reports, based on both the high and low scores revealed in each individual’s two DISC graphs (natural style graph and adapted style graph). In other words, TTI not only studies the behaviors that come naturally to the respondent — both how they act (Behaviors) and why they act a certain way (Motivators) — but we also analyze and present the less dominant behaviors. Developing these less dominant behaviors presents opportunities for self-improvement and greater understanding. Where other companies only provide a snapshot of an individual, we provide a full picture to gain a greater understanding of self and others. In addition, TTI SI is constantly running internal studies, including the study of adverse impact and is conduct- ing test-retest analysis to validate and to improve our products. These steps allow our suite of assessments to remain at the forefront of innovation and stand the test of time. MOTIVATORS Whereas Behaviors illustrate the HOW of our actions and decision-making, Motivators explain the WHY behind your actions and passions. Motivators, based on Eduard Spranger’s theory of human motivation, are the windows through which an individual views the world. These intrinsic motivations explain the key driving forces about someone’s on-the-job performance and why they act a certain way. Theoretical — the discovery of truth Utilitarian — money and what is useful; ROI Aesthetic — form and harmony Social — an inherent caring for people; helping others Individualistic — personal power, influence and renown Traditional — a system for living To see a sample of our in-depth 23-page Motivators Assessment Report, click here . Contact Cortex Leadership Consulting to learn more. Contact Us!

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Kimberly Eakin Earns TED Certification to Elevate Client Success with Cortex < Back Kathlynn Stone Dec 16, 2024 Kimberly Eakin, a valued Mentor and Coach on the Cortex team, has achieved certification in The Empowerment Dynamic (TED*) Cortex Leadership Consulting is proud to announce that Kimberly Eakin , a valued Mentor and Coach on the Cortex team, has achieved certification in The Empowerment Dynamic (TED*) framework. Completing an intensive 10-week course with The Center for The Empowerment Dynamic, Kimberly is now certified to guide leaders and teams from reactive behaviors to intentional, empowering actions using this proven methodology. At Cortex, we are dedicated to staying at the forefront of leadership and team development. This certification underscores our commitment to investing in the professional growth of our team members, ensuring every coaching engagement is impactful, tailored, and results-driven. Kimberly’s achievement further strengthens Cortex’s ability to help clients thrive in dynamic and challenging environments. Lynda Foster, Founder and CEO of Cortex Leadership Consulting, highlighted Kimberly's exceptional commitment to professional growth and the impact it has on clients, stating: “Kimberly, a cornerstone of Cortex for nearly 14 years, continues to elevate client success through her dedication to continuous learning—this certification adds yet another tool to her coaching toolkit to drive even faster results." The Coaching with TED Foundations course emphasizes integrating key principles of The Empowerment Dynamic into coaching practices. Participants learn to embody the roles of Creator, Challenger, and Coach, enabling clients to transform drama into empowerment and achieve sustainable growth. Kimberly described the program as transformative, sharing: "This impactful training equipped me with the tools to help leaders and teams shift from reactive behaviors to intentional, empowering actions. By mastering the 5-step process of Awareness, Pause, Focus, Respond, and Sustain, I am prepared to guide our clients in navigating challenges with clarity and fostering stronger, more effective relationships." Through Kimberly's certification, Cortex further deepens its commitment to empowering leaders and teams, fostering a culture of growth, respect, and resilience. For more information on how Cortex Leadership Consulting can support your organization’s development through innovative coaching strategies, please visit cortexleadershipconsulting.com . Previous Next

How AI Will Change Your Job—And What You Can Do About It < Back Cortex Leatership Consulting Jun 8, 2025 Live Small Group and One-on-One Demo Experiences Show Leaders and Everyday Workers How to Stay Ahead of AI's Disruption Event Date: Tuesday, June 10, 2025 Location: Grandin CoLab, Roanoke, VA Roanoke, VA — While national headlines warn of job loss and fear around artificial intelligence, a first-of-its-kind leadership demo event on Tuesday will flip the script, showing local professionals how to partner with AI , not fear it. https://video.wixstatic.com/video/99266e_9c283ebfbb904ec3831c9f392dfac104/720p/mp4/file.mp4 Hosted by Cortex Leadership Consulting, the event—“The AI Demo Experience: Leading Through the Shift”—will show leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals how to collaborate with tools like ChatGPT, CoPilot, NotebookLM, and Gemini to save time, reduce stress, and increase quality of work without needing to be “tech-savvy.” “This is not a lecture. It’s an immersive demo where you’ll see AI work with real-world data from local businesses to solve problems in real time,” said Lynda McNutt Foster, CEO of Cortex Leadership. “We want leaders to walk away with less fear, more clarity, and practical next steps they can use tomorrow.” Why This Matters (Fast Facts for Newsrooms) 44% of work skills will be disrupted by 2027 , according to the World Economic Forum. Only 1 in 10 professionals feel confident using AI tools at work (McKinsey 2024). In a recent local survey of over 40 professionals, the #1 challenge was “not knowing where to start with AI” . This event is designed to address that head-on. Real-time demos of how leaders and employees can collaborate with AI Why AI is not replacing humans—rather amplifying those who use it well How leaders can overcome the "blank page" problem and decision fatigue Insight into which jobs and tasks will likely be automated first—and what will never be replaced A Local Perspective This isn’t Silicon Valley. It is right here in Southwest Virginia. These are local teams and business leaders navigating real pressures—from healthcare to finance to entrepreneurship. The Cortex team will show how AI can: Create customized training content from internal and external documents Build messaging for change through an organization Help leaders use AI as a thinking partner through Conversational Intelligence Media seats are limited for small group main demos, but open for any of the mini demos available one-on-one. Please RSVP for access and early arrival for interviews and visuals. Contact: lynda@cortexleadership.com About Cortex Leadership Consulting Cortex has worked with over 12,000 leaders to accelerate team performance, engagement, and innovation. Known for its pioneering use of AI in leadership training, Cortex brings coaching, consulting, and tech together for next-level transformation. Previous Next

Cortex 360 Assessment What a 360 Assessment is 360 surveys are assessment tools that provide leaders and employees with feedback about their performance. The surveys’ subject is rated in areas such as leadership, communication, productivity, and technical skills. The subject also rates themselves in these areas. Responses are scored numerically. Higher scores represent strengths and lower scores represent areas for improvement. All of the information is compiled into a report that assembles the results into graphs summarizing the rater responses. The graphs illustrate the employee’s strengths and weaknesses. Participants use this information to make modifications in their behavior and performance. What 360 Assessments can accomplish for you, your team or your organization 360 surveys allow employees to assess strengths and areas of improvement in their workplace performance, interpersonal communication and/or management style with a focus on individual and organizational development. Managers and executives can use the information provided by the 360 survey to create organizational and individual development plans. Managers and executives also gain tremendous personal benefit as they see how their leadership styles and methods are perceived by those they manage. As they make adjustments to better interact with and manage their employees, the entire organization benefits from the improvement to productivity. Why you may need to do a 360 Assessment 360 surveys have their greatest impact when used to evaluate and improve the performance of whole organizations. As its name implies, 360 surveys assess the effect an individuals’ actions are having on an organization, or the their team members, of which they are a part of. 360 surveys produce the best results when they are used as a tool to identify opportunities for change and used to develop individual and organizational goals to make those changes. Each 360 survey should be customized to specific organizational or personal goals. They can use the information gathered during the 360 survey to develop continuous learning programs, and to offer training in those areas where managers and employees should focus their improvement efforts. Why Cortex is the right choice to administer your 360 assessments and coaching To ensure data provided through a 360 survey is collected, processed and evaluated in an unbiased process, an outside facilitator is preferred. Experienced and certified coaches or executive consultants would be the logical choice to analyze and deliver the survey’s feedback. The use of other professional assessments (DISC/behaviors, Motivators, EQ) are additional tools that we can provide upon request. Understanding the styles of the participant/subject will help explain behaviors outlined in the survey and also help the survey results and development ideas in a constructive manner. For more information or to order your survey, please contact info@cortexleadership.com .

EPIC Library - Ask the Expert Corcast Episodes EPIC Library - Ask the Expert Corcast Episodes EPIC Library - Ask the Expert Corcast Episodes EPIC Library - Ask the Expert Corcast Episodes Month 1 Communicating with Intention - DISC and Driving Forces Intentional Communication with DISC Kicking off the EPIC journey, DISC centers on building self-awareness through the DISC and Driving Forces assessment—a powerful tool for understanding personal communication styles and how they interact with others. You will learn how to recognize and adapt to different DISC styles, reduce friction, and strengthen trust. By applying these insights to real-world conversations, they’ll begin to turn everyday interactions into opportunities for clarity, collaboration, and connection. Listen to the DISC Corcast Episode: Refer back to this DISC Clue Sheet throughout the EPIC Program DISC Clue Sheet Month 2 Transitioning from a Problem to a Solutions Mindset Shifting from Problem to Solution We all know that great leadership isn't about reacting - it's about responding with clarity and confidence. But how often do you find yourself caught in stress, frustration, or self-doubt? Reactivity to Resilience will help you recognize when you're triggered, understand your DISC-driven stress responses, and apply proven techniques to shift from reactive to resilient. Listen to the Reactive to Resilient Corcast Episode: Read through the Many Faces of Victim, Persecutor, and Rescuer: Victim - Many Faces Persecutor - Many Faces Rescuer - Many Faces Month 3 Thinking with Intention - VIPE A Leader's Guide to Getting More, Fresh, High Qualitry Ideas from Their Teams Thinking with Intention challenges participants to elevate their strategic thinking by understanding how their natural strengths—and blind spots—impact team innovation. Using the VIPE model (Vision, Inclusion, Process, and Execution), they’ll assess their preferred thinking roles and how those influence decision-making and collaboration. Paired with insights from A Leader’s Guide to Getting More, Fresh, High Quality Ideas , participants will discover practical ways to foster creativity, avoid common thinking traps, and unlock better outcomes through intentional thought leadership. Listen to the Corcast Episode: Read the executive summary of A Leader's Guide to Getting More, Fresh, High Quality Ideas : Executive Summary Month 4 - Managing Priorities with Intention Time Mastery 2.0 Time Mastery 2.0 Managing Priorities with Intention - you'll take a deep dive into how you use your time—versus how you intend to use it. Grounded in the Time Mastery: 7 Simple Steps for Richer Outcomes framework, and Time Mastery 2.0, you’ll explore how to align daily actions with higher-level priorities. Through reflection and practical tools, this session helps you identify time wasters, clarify outcomes over tasks, and design a rhythm of work that drives meaningful progress—without burning out. Listen to the Time Mastery 2.0 Corcast Episode: Read Time Mastery 2.0 : Time Mastery 2.0 Month 5 Building Trust with Intention - Conversational Intelligence Conversational Intelligence In Month 5 of the EPIC Leadership Program- we'll explore how trust is built—or broken—through everyday interactions. You’ll examine the six key elements of trust: time, reliability, sincerity, competency, involvement, and standards—and how each one contributes to credibility and connection. Using the three levels of Conversational Intelligence®—transactional, positional, and transformational—you will learn how to shift conversations from simple exchanges to deeper, trust-building dialogue that strengthens team cohesion and performance. Listen to the CIQ Corcast Episode: 3 Levels of Conversation: 3 Levels of CIQ

Cortex Culture Kit Cortex Culture Kit Cortex Culture Kit Cortex Culture Kit Welcome to Phases 1-3! Welcome to the Cortex Stressed for Success Culture Kit where you will learn how to deal with stressful situations, what triggers you, and how to have more pleasant experiences. More About Stressed for Success What You Will Learn The causes and origin of stress How your brain reacts to stress and anxiety The different types of anxiety that we all experience How stress can affect your relationships at work and create conflict leading to lack of trust in the environment Using the Exercises Deal with stressful situations with more calm and ease Fall asleep easier Things that used to trigger anxious responses in you may not effect you anymore Quickly remember and experience pleasant experiences that can lead to a feeling of more control and satisfaction How It Works Simply watch each Video in Phase 1 before your first Culture Group Session Print out Phase 1 Worksheet and bring it with you to your Group Session Once watching the modules and having your first Group Session, move on to Phase 2! Rinse & Repeat We recommend that you space your learning out every two days to give you time to digest and practice the exercises provided. If you require any assistance or have any questions, feel free to email the Cortex Team at info@cortexleadership.com to speak directly with a Cortex Team Member. Phase 1 What is Stress and Anxiety? Print out this worksheet and bring it with you to your Group Session for Phase 1- Stressed for Success Culture Kit! 10 Rules of Inclusion Phase 1 Worksheet Step One: Introduction Step Two: Interview Step Three: Lesson Step Four: Exercise Phase 2 Recognizing Amygdala Anxiety Print out this worksheet and bring it with you to your Group Session for Phase 2- Stressed for Success Culture Kit! Phase 2 Worksheet 10 Rules of Inclusion Step One: Introduction Step Two: Interview Step Three: Lesson Step Four: Exercise Phase 3 Amygdala Triggers and Reactions Print out this worksheet and bring it with you to your Group Session for Phase 3- Stressed for Success Culture Kit! 10 Rules of Inclusion Phase 3 Worksheet Step One: Interview Step Two: Lesson Step Three: Exercise 1 Step Four: Exercise 2

Think more strategically, Speak more effectively, Act more intentionally. Join the fastest growing leadership program in Southwest Virginia with alumni that include hundreds of top executive leaders from the City of Roanoke, Excel Truck Group, Corvesta, Delta Dental of Virginia, Home Instead Senior Care, MB Contractors, Quick Fix Real Estate, Steidle Law Firm, the Rescue Mission and other regional organizations. See what graduates are saying about Leading a Winning Team Conducted with small groups in a highly interactive format, this program is designed for seasoned leaders and those accepting the role and responsibility of leadership. Based on Serving Leader principles and practices, the program is fast paced and the content is rich, yet very practical. Leaders will learn how to communicate more effectively with the team they lead and those they report to, on key principles such as: motivating others, leading during organizational change, curbing “drama” in the workplace through increasing trust, active listening, executive presence and having more intentional communication that is meant to transform rather than transact. Accountability is a cornerstone of the program with participants learning proven tools and methods with consistent follow up through www.goMonti.com to measure and monitor how they are applying what they have learned. The individual coaching sessions assist in making the material relevant to the challenges of each leader. Participants quickly discover their leadership potential, how to stay in their strength zones, and how to coach others to do the same. The focus of this program is on learning the skills necessary to coach yourself and others to reach higher levels of emotional discipline in order to reach your leadership potential. Frequently Asked Questions How long does the course take? The course of study usually takes 8 months (but can be customized to client's specific needs). 8 - 4-hour group sessions + jumpstart DISC workshop 2 - one-on-one, 55-minute executive coaching sessions for each participant 4 - laser coaching sessions - 10 minutes in length (on the spot coaching as needed). What types of assessments come with the program? DISC assessment Motivators assessment Cortex Team Strengths assessment How are retention, engagement, and process measured throughout the program? Participants will receive interactive texts 3 times a week for the duration of the program and their responses will be confidentially captured in our proprietary g oMonti© system. These texts come in the form of content comprehension questions, asset-based thinking questions, and practical application questions that serve to keep the content relevant and assist each participant in applying what they've learned in their professional lives and leadership roles. Facilitated Curriculum Specific modules are facilitated in an interactive learning environment are chosen for you and your team and can be based on initial discussion and assessment results. Specific modules can include: Communicating and Motivating using DISC/Motivators Participants will complete a DISC and Motivators assessment and bring the report to your Jumpstart session. This 50-page report will give you an understanding of your behavioral styles and offer suggestions on how to develop specific areas for higher levels of effectiveness when working with your team and others. This assessment can also provide a window of understanding for the leaders you report to in order to create a clearer understanding into your perspective and communication style. 4 Keys to More Effective Leadership Behaviors Out of the 20 leadership behaviors that have been determined to lead to success, there are 4 that have been determined to give a leader 89% of their results. This module, supported by an eBook of the same name, will help you learn how to: Be Supportive , Be Results Orientated , Seek Others' Perspectives , and Solve Problems Effectively . Cortex Team Strengths You will complete a Cortex Team Strengths assessments that will help to better understand which of the 4 phases of a project cycle you prefer to work within. Ideally, teamwork proceeds sequentially from initiation to ideation, elaboration, and completion. But research shows that teams often diffuse their efforts by spending time on work they prefer to do, often skipping essential phases. You will be given a timed, management challenge that will assist you in a tangible example of how to execute the 4 phases of the Teamwork Cycle. By discovering your strengths, you will learn which areas of projects you will bring the most value to and how to support others when they are operating in their strength zones. Make Shift Happen through The Empowerment Dynamic (TED) This interactive presentation will explain the difference between a successful and an unsuccessful mindset and how to coach yourself and others to make the shift. Using TED - The Empowerment Dynamic , a tool developed by David Emerald, you will learn more methods on how to challenge, coach, and create a winning position during any situation for yourself or others. More importantly, you and your team will learn how to steer clear of the Dreaded Drama Triangle and Make a Shift to The Empowerment Dynamic . The ability to make this shift quickly is the foundation of emotional discipline. Time Mastery: 7 Simple Steps to Richer Outcomes You'll never deal with time the same way again after learning the Cortex Method of time design. This practical, interactive, learning module, supported by an eBook and audiobook version, on time management will teach you how to design your time for the highest levels of personal and team productivity, Deliberate Delegation Commitment Based Management was first introduced as an innovative management practice in the 1980's with the work of Fernando Flores (UC Berkeley) and Terry Winograd (Standford) and is a highly effective delegation principle and practice. They described a "conversation for action" where two parties make an explicit agreement to deliver a specific outcome by a certain date. The core idea was that the performer was required to negotiate a specific, leading to more collaborative environment. The process of a virtuous conversation between the requester and the performer was defined in three stages: Negotiation, delivery, and assessment. Conversational Intelligence Conversations based on a high level of trust can be transformative to a relationship, team or organization. Without it, your conversations are transactional and positional in nature which rarely leads to the change you want to see. YOur brain has a trust valve that when we learn how to operate it properly can help each of us create a level of safety with one another that will lead to higher level thinking, understanding and more effective execution. Regardless of your position on a team or in an organization, building and maintaining trust is essential for reaching the deeply satisfying outcomes you want to achieve. This practical module, based on the work by Judith Glaser in her groundbreaking research published in the book, Conversational Intelligence: How Great Leaders Build Trust & Get Extraordinary Results will teach you to more effectively communicate with your peers, customers and bosses. The Currency of Trust This powerful communication tool has multiple applications. You will learn the 6 Elements of Trust, which include Sincerity, Involvement, Competence, Standards, Reliability, and Time. Peak Performance Coaching - The 4 Rs Through the use of the proprietary Cortex Peak Performance model, you will be able to identify your high potential team members and coach them to reach their maximum contribution potential. This simple yet comprehensive model will help you set up effective coaching conversations with your team members and move them from the high potential zone to the high-performance zone. Performance Coaching: Giving and Receiving Feedback By using proper meeting formats and after-action reviews, along with scheduling time for each of your direct reports on a monthly or weekly basis, you will discover ways to effectively give and receive feedback from your team members. Performance Coaching: Active Listening Effective listening skills are crucial in order to build trust with and coach others. This module breaks down the keys to active listening and teaches you how to listen from 3 different centers to not only hear what others' are saying but also to capture the emotions and intent in every conversation. Identify Your Team's Core Values For newly formed teams as well as teams that have operated together for decades, understanding and agreeing to a set of core values is an essential element of success. A team's values guide the actions and decisions of all team members toward achieving their highest-level outcomes. To inquire for upcoming Leading a Winning Team live training, call 540.776.9219 or email info@cortexleadership.com . Classes are held at our facilities within the CoLab on Grandin Road, Roanoke or at your location. Contact Us

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