Perceptive is a boutique leadership development and professional transitions consulting firm based in Denver, Colorado serving clients in the US and Canada, since 2005.
We have worked with over 1,000 senior organizational leaders and accomplished career professionals to help them recognize opportunities for impactful and substantive change and how to realize that transformational change.
Our approach is based on the latest research and established best practice while grounded in real-world business experience. Our methodologies are not rigid, but rather we tailor them to meet the needs of the individual and the organization. Years of client feedback proves again and again what you won’t find anywhere else: The Perceptive Difference.
Our Collaborating Consultants
We are colleagues and collaborators – executive coaches, program facilitators, and educators – who come together to do purposeful and impactful work. We love what we do, working together to serve our clients. We all have extensive real-world experience having either held senior leadership positions inside organizations or taught at the university level, or both. We possess deep credentials, expertise, and experience in the practice of leadership development and professional transitions.
Our Story
In 2005, after a successful career as a senior level executive working inside large complex organizations, Lori Zahn founded Perceptive Leaders with a vision:
- create a dynamic leadership development consultancy
- bring together consultants who want to do great work together
- leverage our depth of expertise and experience working with senior leaders and their teams
- partner with forward thinking organizations who want to develop exceptional leaders
- generate stellar results that help our clients reach their goals
Our name reflects our belief that exceptional leaders are perceptive leaders – they are self-aware and aware of the people around them. Said another way, they show sensitive insight into relationships and situations. They are emotionally intelligent leaders.
We have grown organically as a company since 2005, expanding in ways that enable us to best serve the evolving needs of our clients.
In 2010, we expanded from a sole focus on Leadership Development to include working with accomplished career professionals navigating transitions later in their career. We began this work at the University of Denver where our Founder, Lori Zahn, created and taught the Focus Forward Program for a decade.
The Perceptive Difference
We offer the advantages of a large consulting firm with proven methodologies, frameworks, and tools alongside the personalized service and customized solutions found only in a boutique firm.
Advocates for Personal and Professional Growth
Every person, team, and organization is constantly evolving. We’re devoted to helping you navigate these changes and reaching your full potential.
A Catalyst for Transformational Change
We get to the heart of the matter quickly. Our straight-talking approach will challenge your thinking. Moving you forward and supporting you every step of the way.
Goal Oriented, Results Focused
We listen carefully to truly understand your goals, then develop the strategy to achieve them. Depend on us remain diligent and focused to help you succeed.
Real-world Experience and Perspective
We’ve previously held senior leadership roles inside complex organizations. We can appreciate where you want to go and know how to get you there.
Proven Frameworks and Process
Anchored by over 20 years of research and experience, we provide expert guidance using proven methodologies, frameworks, and tools rooted in best practices.
Tailored and Customizable Solutions
No two people, teams, or organizations are alike. That’s why we customize our solutions and tailor everything we do to meet your individual needs.
Our Affiliations
Who We Serve
Organizations
We work with predominantly with middle market companies and larger nonprofits based in the United States and Canada. Many of our clients are in the midst of significant organizational change characterized by new executive leadership, business reorganizations, changes in ownership or their business model, the need to scale their organization effectively to the next level, mergers and acquisitions, and cultural change. We serve senior business leaders and their teams and the organizational HR/OD leaders who spearhead their organizations’ investment in developing their senior leaders and leadership teams.
Career Professionals
We help accomplished career professionals in the U.S. and Canada navigate professional transitions later in their career. Most of the individuals in our Perceptive Transitions Program are well established in a professional career that spans 20 years and more. They want to explore the possibility of a career change later in their professional life or may be starting to think about retirement and want to explore future possibilities that feel compelling to them. They are represented by a diversity of professions – including organizational leaders, lawyers, accountants, teachers, physicians and nurses, engineers, business owners, and entrepreneurs, just to name a few.
Making a Difference
Our Perceptive community of practitioners is a powerful force for good in the leadership and professional transitions arena and in making a difference in our world. Giving back takes many forms at Perceptive.
Since our founding in 2005, we have worked with a different nonprofit organization every year on a pro bono basis to help them strengthen their executive leadership and work as a leadership team.
Since 2010, our Founder, Lori, has worked with the Institute for Leaders in Development at the University of Denver to help develop leaders in the professional of philanthropy.
Our practitioners all give generously of their time both in support of each other and in their local community.
