Bernardo Ferdman
He/Him
"Embrace paradox and ask lots of questions"
.png)
Resilience
For me, it’s important to gain perspective and, especially when things feel overwhelming, to pay attention to what is going well and what I am grateful for. My “reset button” involves pausing, breathing, putting the stress in perspective, and focusing on what is working and what I can build on to find my balance again. An appreciative approach—being kind to myself—not only helps me reset but also allows me to be kind to and supportive of others. To support others, I encourage them to find their own truth and meaning and to remember their own unique strengths and values, while also acknowledging their situation and needs.
Purpose-Driven
Whenever I facilitate a meeting or workshop, or simply connect with someone new, I intentionally take the time to check in – to learn about each other and to clarify our purpose and approach. And when I introduce myself, I typically include personal details, for example about my background and family. This is an intentional way to model inclusion and to try to do what I propose to others is helpful. This has resulted in others rethinking what is considered appropriate and becoming more open as well, including starting to do it in other settings and situations.
Developmental Leadership
As an executive coach, I often work with leaders who are not accustomed to taking time for themselves or to slowing down both to breathe and to reflect—especially about themselves and their impact. In one such situation, involving a newly promoted executive who tended to be quite adaptive to others but who needed to be clearer and stronger in expressing their views, especially about strategic directions, I combined an appreciative and positive approach with gentle questioning to support them in finding and using a stronger and more directive voice when working with key stakeholders (e.g., board members), while at the same time actively listening to and engaging with them. This allowed them to have greater “executive presence” and influence without losing their strength as a people-oriented person and great listener, thus balancing seemingly opposing styles. In this way, they could be more aware of and intentional about their impact and so more influential, while remaining true to their values.
Intersectionality
As a scholar, scientist, and psychologist, I value rigorous analysis, hard-nosed thinking, and evidence-based reasoning. As a consultant and coach focused on inclusion, I take an appreciative, strengths-based approach that emphasizes adapting to each person and situation and giving oneself and others grace. In certain situations, such as analyzing and presenting results of organizational surveys and assessments, or giving feedback to coaching clients, these two sides of my professional persona can sometimes feel at odds. What I have found is that prioritizing one aspect over the other can diminish the value of my contributions, and so I need to regularly pay attention to make sure that I am clear what my purpose is in the moment and ensure that I bring both aspects to the work. This approach allows me to respond and engage with clients in ways that are more authentic and that add value by giving detailed data-based information about their situation while at the same time being responsive and connected to their feelings and needs, and to model the inclusive behaviors that I seek to foster.
Future Facing Legacy
My hope is that I can model the inclusive practices that I talk and consult on, and that what stands out is that I live – even if imperfectly – what I advocate for. At the same time, I know that I make mistakes, and I try to be self-aware, learn from them, and share both my errors and my insights. By modeling these behaviors, I can influence others to also do the same. What I envision is that others will also let go of perfection and instead take actions, however small, that are kind to themselves and others and in that way foster more inclusion for more people. I believe that these small acts of inclusion, when done consistently, can have a significant impact on the culture of an organization, a group, or even a society and will create a cycle where more people feel safe, valued, and can contribute fully.