While our organization was just formed in 2011, it rests on a small group methodology that’s been developed and used for over 35 years. Our mission is to make the principles of True North Groups: A Powerful Path to Personal and Leadership Development, come alive in corporations, institutions, non-profits and for individuals. We focus on developing and deepening self-awareness, so people discover their own “true north”. We believe that self-awareness is the critical foundation for the success of all other personal and leadership development.
Please see the Services section for information on how the True North Groups would work for you.
The People of the True North Groups Institute
Doug Baker, founder and president of the True North Groups Institute.
Doug is a passionate believer in the power of small groups. This passion motivated Doug and Bill George to write True North Groups: A Powerful Path to Personal and Leadership Development, and motivated Doug to found the Institute.
Previously he was president of Baker Consultants, Inc., founder of Conversations of Consequence, and SVP-Human Resources for American Express Financial Advisors. He has been doing organizational development, executive coaching and building small group self-awareness communities for over 30 years.
He holds degrees from The University of Texas-Austin and the Stanford University Graduate School of Business, and was an executive fellow at the Graduate School of Business, University of St. Thomas. He is currently on the advisory board for the Center for Spirituality and Healing, University of Minnesota.
http://www.linkedin.com/in/dougbakersr716
Bill is a professor of management practice at Harvard Business School, where he has taught leadership since 2004. He is the author of four best-selling books 7 Lessons for Leading in Crisis, True North, Finding Your True North, and Authentic Leadership. He and Doug Baker have been part of a True North Group for over 25 years, and are co-authors for True North Groups.
Bill is the former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Medtronic. He joined Medtronic in 1989 as President and Chief Operating Officer, was Chief Executive Officer from 1991-2001, and Chairman of the Board from 1996 to 2002.
Bill currently serves as a director of ExxonMobil and Goldman Sachs, and also recently served on the boards of Novartis and Target Corporation. He is also currently a trustee of Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, World Economic Forum USA and the Guthrie Theater. He has served as chair of the board of Allina Health System, Abbott-Northwestern Hospital, United Way of the Greater Twin Cities, and Advamed.
Carrie Johnson is executive director of the True North Groups Institute.
Small groups have been an essential part of Carrie’s life, especially during times of positive change. Her passion is how individuals experience their work environment every day.
Carrie’s background includes small businesses, large corporations and consulting. She was with American Express for 11 years, most recently vice president of human resources for an organizational effectiveness team. She and her team developed strategies and ideas, translating them into successful programs and products for 70,000 worldwide employees. The programs led to measurable outcomes for the organization.
She holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School.
http://www.linkedin.com/in/carrieajohnson
True North Certified Corporate Facilitators
Our highly talented team of facilitators all have been in small groups as participants. They have more than 10 years of professional experience, deep small group facilitation skills, and have been in a leadership role within a company. They are affiliated with us because they believe in the power and potential of the True North Groups.