GROW was a fantastic two-day investment! The myriad of skills I learned are helping me both professionally and personally and have helped me connect with colleagues across the company. We were able to discuss sensitive topics in a safe environment and learn important skills that not only help us thrive at Guidewire, but be better people as well. I can’t say enough good things about GROW and hope that every employee will jump on the opportunity to participate!
Archives: Testimonials
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Beyond My Expectations
The GROW training was a refresher to enhance interpersonal skills, creativity, collegiality and communication. All of the activities were well thought out and planned to fit two full days. This workshop went way beyond my expectations! David and his team did a great job! Many kudos and thanks for organizing.
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An Amazing Teacher and Mentor
It was a GREAT experience being at the GROW workshop. The Workshop has definitely helped me GROW as a Colleague, a Mom, a Wife, a Daughter and overall as a Person in several ways.
Firstly, I loved the fact that I got to meet people from various other departments of Guidewire which would not have been easy otherwise. It helped me to get to know my colleagues well enough to develop a bond with them, which in turn strengthened my bond with Guidewire as a company and made me feel like I was an integral part of it. Being a newbie at Guidewire, it was important to gain that confidence. The relationships I built with my co-workers made me comfortable at my work place and makes me want to stay here longer.
Secondly, the Content and structure of the program is so well designed that it does not make you feel like you are in a “workshop workshop”. It’s filled with so many fun activities and games that I initially hesitated, but at the end was proud of what I could do and accomplish.
Emphasis on Guidewire’s core values was through fun activities. It made me realize how well our core values are chosen, how it has contributed to our growth so far and how it makes our workplace a pleasant and fun environment to be in.GROW also helped me to truly listen to everyone around me. I usually listen to my colleagues at work, but tend to take my family (kids, husband , parents) for granted. I learned how important active listening is and that helped me discover many aspects of my kids which are very important. I always thought I was a good mom, but I must agree that the workshop has made me a better Mom. I also gained good insight into effective communication and collaboration which again is a great skill to possess to be successful not only at work but in life.
Last but not the least, David is such an amazing teacher and mentor. He creates this wonderful, encouraging environment that makes me absolutely comfortable to be in. I call him a mentor, because I can walk up to him anytime for suggestions and advice on topics discussed during the workshop and he is always so welcoming.
On the whole I would like to say that I’m so glad I took the workshop and encourage everyone to give it a try.
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Lots of Fun
I thoroughly enjoyed David’s 2-day GROW workshop. It is designed uniquely with various kinds of group activities. I had lots of fun and got opportunities to work closely with all of the people who came for the training. I learned a lot by meeting people from different groups, listening to their perspectives on many different things. I learned techniques to improve my listening skills which I can apply in all areas of my life. I think attending this training definitely helps people to learn a lot about themselves and also about others.
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Enlightening and Enriching Experience
I found the GROW workshop to be an enlightening and enriching experience that underscored for me ways in which I can better embody the core values of Integrity, Rationality and Collegiality both in my work and in my life. David’s demeanor as a teacher is welcoming and encouraging, and I found him to be very skillful at facilitating the fun and enriching activities we went through as a group. The workshop afforded me the opportunity to forge connections with many people who came from departments in the company different from my own. Had it not been for the GROW workshop, I wouldn’t have had the chance to get to know these wonderful colleagues as I did, and a lasting impact from the workshop is my ongoing connection to all of them. I feel that I gained valuable insights into how I can more effectively communicate and collaborate with my peers here at Guidewire and with others outside the sphere of work as a result of my participation in this very valuable and very fun workshop!
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Enhancing Interpersonal Skills
I tremendously enjoyed going through the GROW Workshop. It created many good memories as well as enhancing my interpersonal skills. The coverage of the Guidewire core values was great. I was also introduced to many immediately applicable ideas and suggestions to engage at a higher level here at Guidewire. I am proud to count myself as a GROW Workshop alumnus.
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Clear Understanding of Listening Skills
I’m glad I attended David’s GROW workshop. Learning to truly listen is a very important skill and attending this workshop has helped me pay attention to how I communicate/listen to another person in both personal and professional life. It was a very informative workshop that helped me to examine my listening style and how I communicate. The exercises that we did during the session gave me a clear understanding of what a speaker/listener feels when the conversation is interrupted/ignored or the point that the speaker is trying to make is not through to the other person. I really appreciate David and Julie for organizing this workshop to help us all GROW!
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Amazed At My Experience
Not knowing what to expect going into the GROW workshop, I’m amazed at what I experienced in 2 days. Meeting people from different teams and working with them on different tasks and acitvities, I felt so much closer to the Guidewire culture that attracted me to join this company from the very beginning. This workshop was a great way for me to extract myself from my daily routines and focus on myself. I really appreciate Guidewire putting investment into its employees in this type of personal growth development. This experience will stay with me for a long time and I truly think it can benefit anyone.
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Gentle but Unwavering Guidance
My sweetheart and I were “walking on eggshells” and didn’t know how to get back on solid footing. David’s gentle but unwavering guidance helped us move through potentially volatile issues with clarity and relative comfort. Since our session with him, our relationship has been much more relaxed, and I feel a great amount of growth has taken place. We are better able to communicate, and I feel like we understand each other better. Having a calm and focused mediator allowed us to explore sensitive topics in a safe and structured framework. I would recommend David to assist anybody having trouble in this tremendously important aspect of life.
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I Busted Through
My sweetheart and I were having some communication issues. I had met David at a men’s group and thought that he could help me communicate better and also be heard. David got the two of us talking and hearing each other. Within 20 minutes I had found my sweetheart again. I busted through all of the crap that had been keeping me from really seeing her.
I watched as she started seeing me again. Listening to her and finding out what she was really feeling—not just saying—was very eye-opening for me.
Now when things start to go off the rails instead of assuming she knows how I feel, I tell her and she listens. I feel much more in balance with her and I am looking forward to spending the rest of my life with her.
Thanks David!
