Empowering Growth and Inspiring Success
Transforming lives through personalized strategies and guidance.
Unlock your potential today.
About Human Improvement Initiative
HII MISSION
To improve the world by elevating individual and organizational performance.
One Person and One Organization at a time.
My Approach
Driven by a commitment to excellence and a genuine desire for meaningful change, both personally and within organizations, I bring a unique and personalized experience to every client engagement. I blend thoughtful insight with opportunities for personal and organizational growth, starting with an honest exploration of core values and extending to impactful discussions aimed at achieving exceptional outcomes. Each engagement is uniquely approached to reflect the distinct needs of each client. Recognizing that no two clients are the same, I develop personalized strategies tailored to your specific circumstances, ensuring solutions that are both relevant and actionable.
My approach includes conducting interviews and necessary assessments to understand unique strengths, challenges, and opportunities. Together, we can establish clear, well-defined goals and develop personalized strategic plans. I provide hands-on support during implementation and regularly evaluate and refine strategies to ensure continuous improvement/betterment. By fostering engagement and collaboration with key stakeholders and consistently monitoring progress, I aim to drive sustainable change and ensure long-term success.
My goal is to equip you with the tools and strategies needed to thrive, ensuring you are well-positioned to tackle future challenges and seize growth opportunities.
My Philosophy
Growth begins with an honest exploration of individual and organizational values, coupled with a compelling reason to change. This fundamental certainty allows us to understand our core strengths and areas for improvement and our compelling reason for the need to begin the journey of betterment. By committing to this honest reflection, paired with a genuine desire to improve and a steadfast dedication to the journey of excellence, we lay the groundwork for meaningful development and growth.
Every engagement I undertake is viewed as a unique opportunity for positive transformation. This transformation targets personal growth, organizational excellence, and sustainable impact.
Central to my approach is the belief that we are all part of Team Human. A team is more than a group of people; it is an interconnected network brought together to accomplish tasks that cannot be achieved alone. Effective teams leverage the collective strengths of their members, fostering collaboration and shared success.
My philosophy is rooted in the belief that growth and excellence are achieved through honest exploration, individualized strategies, effective communication, and strong, collaborative relationships. Every engagement is an opportunity to drive positive, lasting change, contributing to human betterment and achieving shared prosperity.
Services Offered
Leadership Development and Team Building
Leadership Development and Team Building
Leadership Development and Team Building
Leadership is not about the individual; it's about serving the people we lead. I believe that leadership hinges on three fundamental elements: Communication, People, and Relationships. Effective leaders engage in meaningful communication—talking, listening, and sharing information. By asking questions, showing genuine interest, and caring about the impact of others' work, leaders foster a responsive and motivated environment. Effective leaders communicate in a manner that ensures transparency, provides clear direction, operates with intentionality, and exerts meaningful influence. Building strong leadership relationships is crucial, as it cultivates trust, favor, and the grace needed for successful collaboration. Sharing work, breaking down barriers, and minimizing territoriality reinforces the sense of being part of a greater mission. Successful leaders strike a balance between nurturing relationships and achieving results, always mindful of their responsibility to care for those they are entrusted to serve.
My mission is to equip agency leaders with the essential skills to drive change and foster a culture of excellence. By facilitating dynamic change management discussions and spearheading pivotal initiatives, it’s my purpose to empower leaders to navigate complexities with confidence and vision and to ensure a steady pipeline of talent ready to tackle tomorrow's challenges, enhancing organizational resilience and effectiveness. In the words of Robert Greenleaf, leadership responsibility is about “building a better and more caring society.”
Leadership Coaching
Leadership Development and Team Building
Leadership Development and Team Building
Coaching is about self-improvement. Clients voluntarily undertake the journey towards purpose and meaning, whether that focus is maximizing professional success, enhancing quality of life, navigating business or life transitions, or simply living a more fulfilling life. It involves tackling daily behaviors that hinder progress and striving for continuous self-improvement.
Why do we seek to correct bad habits or behaviors in our lives? To become better, more effective, and to minimize our personal ambiguities, ultimately living more meaningful and purposeful lives. By voluntarily addressing those impediments that keep us perpetually “stuck,” a coaching relationship can unburden a person and increase personal fulfillment by eliminating obstacles to progress.
Coaching is a collaborative partnership where coaches work with individuals to create a safe, creative, and stimulating environment. Together, we focus on breaking through roadblocks and overcoming obstacles that keep people stuck. Through engaging, meaningful conversations and the development of actionable plans, my goal is to foster a genuine, thoughtful partnership that elevates your personal and professional standards, aspirations, and opportunities.
My coaching services for leaders and aspiring leaders focus on key areas such as communication, accountability, and trust. By leveraging my expertise and dedication, I empower my clients to unlock their full potential in furtherance of achieving their most ambitious and elusive goals. Together, we build a path to success that is not only achievable but also transformative, enabling sustained personal and professional growth. Investing in my coaching is an investment in a future filled with clarity, purpose, and elevated well-being.
Strategic Planning and Goal Setting
Operational Evaluations and Process Improvements
Operational Evaluations and Process Improvements
"A goal without a plan is a wish"
The first step in my planning and goal-setting approach is defining reality. As Ayn Rand wisely noted, “You can avoid reality, but you cannot avoid the consequences of avoiding reality.” Acknowledging the true state of affairs is the foundation upon which successful planning is built.
Change is inevitable, and understanding that change is as much emotional as it is rational is crucial. Embracing this perspective allows us to navigate transitions more effectively and empathetically.
Clearing obstacles is another critical aspect of my philosophy. Identifying and removing barriers to progress ensures a smoother path to achieving our goals.
I encourage rejecting limitations and the notion of collective fate and charting a path towards the critical question – are we in alignment or ambiguity. This involves a deep investigation and understanding of what we are trying to accomplish, where we are going, and who is with us on this journey. Clarity in these areas drives purposeful action and meaningful progress.
My mission is to equip individuals and teams with the tools they need to set realistic goals, develop actionable plans, and foster an environment where continuous improvement and success are achievable.
Operational Evaluations and Process Improvements
Operational Evaluations and Process Improvements
Operational Evaluations and Process Improvements
Why Improve Processes?
We improve processes in organizations to become better, more effective, and to minimize inefficiencies, ultimately driving operational success. This journey starts with a thorough assessment and self-examination. Whether identifying and eliminating inefficiencies in agency operations, the goal is to enhance productivity and eliminate obstacles that hinder progress.
I assist in reviewing, revising and streamlining processes to optimize resource allocation, enhance productivity, and improve efficiency. This approach frees valuable resources, reduces operational costs, and minimizes redundancies. Improved processes lead to faster turnaround times, increased output, and better utilization of assets.
A crucial aspect of my methodology is fostering accountability and transparency by assessing and updating policies. This transparency enhances internal operations and builds the agency's reputation, trust, and stakeholder confidence. Clear policies and procedures ensure consistent and reliable outcomes, reducing risks and enhancing decision-making.
By aligning personnel resources with strategic goals, I optimize performance and eliminate waste and duplication of efforts. This approach boosts individual productivity and commitment while supporting the organization's overall strategic objectives. Effective resource alignment ensures that all team member's efforts are directed towards achieving the organization's mission.
My goal is to foster an environment of continuous improvement where excellence is achieved through coordinated efforts. I equip organizations with the tools and strategies to thrive in an ever-evolving landscape, preparing them for future challenges and growth opportunities. Continuous improvement initiatives lead to sustained operational excellence and competitive advantage.
Inspiring Excellence and Purpose through Public Speaking
With a rich history of public speaking, I have delved into several crucial themes that shape not only personal growth but also organizational excellence.
First and foremost is Integrity. This foundational principle underpins every action and decision. My experience has shown that when integrity is at the core of an individual or organization, trust and respect naturally follow.
In the realm of Engagement and the Workplace, I emphasize the importance of creating environments where employees feel valued and invested. This is not just about engagement for the sake of productivity but fostering genuine connections that inspire people to bring their best selves to work every day.
When discussing Leadership, my focus extends beyond mere authority. It encompasses effective communication, building meaningful relationships, and fostering a collaborative culture. True leadership is about being a beacon of support and encouragement, guiding people through challenges and triumphs alike.
Planning and Goal Setting are pivotal topics I address with a focus on strategic thinking and execution. Clear, actionable plans are crucial for achieving long-term success. My talks often highlight the need for setting realistic goals, creating step-by-step plans, and maintaining the discipline to follow through.
Finally, Vigilance, Sustainability, and Intentionality weave through all aspects of my discourse. It's about being aware of the internal and external environments, making conscious choices that contribute to sustainable practices, and being intentional in our actions and decisions. This holistic approach ensures resilience and long-term success for individuals and organizations alike.
Through these themes such as these, my aim is to inspire, educate, and equip leaders and teams with the insights and tools they need to excel and drive meaningful change.
About Me
HII Founder, Thomas J. Ullom
Tom has had a distinguished career in federal service, culminating in his roles as Acting Inspector General and Deputy Inspector General for the US Agency for International Development (USAID), Office of Inspector General in Washington, D.C. With a keen focus on people and systems, he spearheaded the oversight of pivotal US foreign assistance entities worldwide.
During his tenure, Tom excelled in providing strategic direction to USAID oversight. His leadership was crucial in advancing process improvements and prioritizing operational excellence for the Office of Inspector General. His strategic initiatives not only enhanced the efficiency of operations but also fostered a culture of accountability and transparency.
Before joining USAID, Tom amassed 25 years of federal law enforcement and leadership experience, rising to the level of Special Agent in Charge. He has been a guiding force in the fields of oversight, investigations, leadership, and ethics education. His unwavering commitment to enhancing workplace dynamics, cultivating a positive work atmosphere, and developing people through collaboration and leadership has left a lasting impact on the organizations he has served.
Following his retirement from federal service, Tom founded the Human Improvement Initiative, LLC. This endeavor marks a fresh chapter in his unwavering commitment to public service and human betterment. Through this initiative, Tom continues to weave sustainable impact, collaborative empowerment, and an unyielding pursuit of positive transformation into the fabric of every organization and individual he works with.