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RAJ CHAWLA Principal, The OCL Group

I sometimes get on my soapbox and tell anyone who will listen that the challenges facing organizations and communities around the world are too complex to be left just to the "experts"…it requires all of us to be present and engaged. With that in mind, I am committed to the belief that individuals and stakeholders can think clearly and inquire creatively in any situation. My experiences have taught me that organizations must engage in new conversations about themselves before breakdowns occur, that leaders must be committed to observing their ways of operating, and that new and exciting breakthroughs are possible when all voices can be heard.

It was in that spirit that I co-founded The OCL (Organizational Coaching and Leadership) Group, a group of thoughtful engaged professionals dedicated to helping solve "tough" problems (problems with no facile solutions) rather than "simple" problems (those with clear responses). I bring over 14 years of experience in organizational and executive coaching, organizational development, and leadership development to the OCL Group. My focus is to develop leadership; use coaching as an effective management tool; and strengthen knowledge sharing…with the goal of tackling tough problems.

I hold a Masters in International Affairs from The American University in Washington, D.C., a B.A. in Economics from Emory University in Atlanta, Ga. I am a Professional Certified Coach with the International Coaching Federation. In addition, I am also certified as an Ontological coach through the Newfield Network, as an Organizational Coach through the Newfield Network and George Mason University. I am actively engaged in the world of Integral Practices and Spiral Dynamics (as shared by Ken Wilber). Finally, I currently serve as adjunct faculty at the Federal Executive Institute, Montgomery College and George Mason University.

My interest is to work with groups who are willing to try new ways of thinking and being and who use this to create a different kind of future for themselves, their clients, customers, and stakeholders. I have worked with a variety of public, private, and not-for-profit organizations from across the United States and around the world, including: The World Bank Group, NASA, NeighborWorks of America, CHF International, Choice Hotels, US Agency for International Development, EDS, and SunTrust Bank.

I am committed to community engagement. I serve on several boards including serving as the Board Chair for IMPACT Silver Spring…an organization that faces the question, "What does it mean to have a thriving multicultural community?" I am passionate about being a father to my two children and seek ways to include them in my community activities.

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