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A Note From Founder Laura Gale

Before moving into the field of leadership development, I spent much of my career - and much of my life - in the theatre. I have always viewed creativity as a powerful vehicle for change-making and my background in the theatre fundamentally shapes how I see and approach my work. For me, theatre has always been about recognizing the power of ritual and transformative group experiences. It has been about using creativity to open a space for possibility, discovery and play. For healing, reflection and connection. All of this is still at the heart of the work I do.

Before studying organizational change management in graduate school, I double-majored in theatre and sociology in college. People often found this to be a curious combination, but it made perfect sense to me. I have always been fascinated by how we as humans come together to tell stories and how we create meaning. Throughout my academic and professional career - in my work as an artist, sociologist, coach, facilitator and change consultant - I’ve been examining how people pursue their purpose and their passions, how groups function, how they build norms, connection and trust, and how they utilize shared vision to create change, impact and beauty. To me, it’s all perfectly intertwined. 

In college, I was in a play by Timberlake Wertenbaker called The Love of the Nightingale.
It was a play about love, justice, voice, gender, power and truth-telling. All of these
topics are what inspired me in my work as an artist. They continue to be key themes
in the work I do now. When I founded Nightingale, I wanted the name of the practice
to integrate these parts of my story, to speak in some way to what I value and to acknowledge the role my creative background plays in my approach to leadership
and change. I wanted it to capture the interdisciplinary lens I bring and to honor my
own leadership journey and identity.

Finally, when I think about why I do what I do, the nightingale evokes something more - the idea of taking flight. The idea of boldly choosing to set off in a different direction, somewhere new and intentional but unknown.

As you work to cultivate more freedom, voice, perspective and discovery in your life, leadership and institution, I hope you have the support you need to take flight. Nightingale Coaching & Consulting is here and ready to partner with you on your journey.