Nice to meet you!

For as long as I can remember, I’ve loved learning. Growing up, I was enthralled by the facts and theories of every school subject.

When I graduated as the valedictorian of my high school class, I discovered that I could go to any college I wanted…as long as it was in Arizona…with a tuition-waiver scholarship.

During college, I spent two summers selling books door-to-door. I could write a book (!) about the “school of hard knocks” that I encountered. 

In my first job after college, my manager told me to “Call my mom” to talk (i.e., complain) about the challenges I was facing
(getting some tough love from my boss … and my mom!).

When I relocated to Europe to take on a newly created OD role, the 2-day intensive course on “cultural competence” was really interesting — yet mostly I learned through the ups and downs of living and working in another country.

As I moved into my first people leadership role, I made many common new manager mistakes before I figured out how to adjust my mindset and approach to be a more effective leader for my team of former peers.

Like many of us, I learned that there are no courses that teach us as well as the learning we get from experience.

As I grew my career in learning and development, I noticed that training courses were often treated like the holy grail, with thoughts such as, “If only we could offer the right training program, then we will have more effective leaders and employees!”  
 
I started my business, Lead Forward Consulting, because I know we can do better when we keep the “AND” in mind… and I look for like-minded professionals who want to do the same!

Together, with my clients, we create the necessary conditions for behavior change and skill development to occur:

As I continue my own learning journey, I remind myself to lead forward:

  • I am a work-in-progress; go for progress over perfection.

  • There is no finish line as you strive to reach your potential.

  • Everything that happens to me is an opportunity for learning and growth.

  • Insightful self-awareness about what to develop

  • Motivation to willingly invest the time and energy

  •  New behaviors, knowledge, and practices

  •  Real world opportunities to use the new skills

  •  Support and accountability to themselves and from others

How can we design great training programs AND reinforce the learning to enable and support real development to happen on the job?
 How can we give people new tips and techniques AND shift their mindset and “inner voice” so that they apply them as they face tough challenges?

Sherry Johnson Metz

As a solopreneur, Sherry Johnson Metz enjoys working with all types of organizations, partnering with ease and integrity, with people at all levels.

Prior to launching her own business Lead Forward Consulting in 2008, she worked for over 20 years at SC Johnson, a values-driven, consumer goods company with a small-town HQ and a global footprint.

As the Director of Global Leadership Development at SC Johnson, Sherry’s
team designed and implemented the first global new manager program, and established an original, distinctive leadership development program that was unparalleled in building the capabilities of senior leaders globally.

Sherry is known for her “secret sauce” designing and facilitating learning & development programs and small & large group sessions (in-person and virtual/hybrid) that are engaging, practical and fun.

She believes in and models positive energy, optimism and authenticity.
Sherry loves connecting ideas and outcomes together with systems thinking and using a “what_so what_now what” decision-making approach.

  • Attended high school and college in Arizona (graduating with highest honors, B.S. Marketing, Arizona State University)

  • Endured many Wisconsin winters living in Milwaukee (earning her MBA from Marquette University)

  • Celebrated her first two wedding anniversaries in Paris, France (where both she and her husband had expat jobs!)

  • Now makes the Pacific Northwest (near Seattle) her home

  • Enjoys hiking with her husband and sweet dog, playing pickleball, and planning her next visit to spend quality time with her two adult kids

  • Loves cooking and entertaining; her friends know they are likely to get served a “first-time out” recipe when they come over for dinner

Let’s Connect!