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Client Testimonials

 

Testimonials

• "Exceeded all of my expectations and renewed my personal and professional energy and focus. It was exactly what I needed!"
• "Life changing is only the 1st chapter in the book of compliments about what True Growth is doing. You are inspiring, changing, influencing, and molding relationships that will save lives. I've found the passion and source of joy that I've been seeking for 9 years. I've found my smile!"
• "The True Growth Academy experience is one of the most rewarding training experiences that I have encountered in my 20+ years of leadership. I found a part of me that I did not know existed. Has had a profound impact on my life."
• "The True Growth Academy taught me more about my life and purpose than any other training I have attended."
• "Highly recommend for current and future leaders of any company. It can change/define the direction of a career and the path that a company is traveling."
• "This was the most moving and beneficial experience of my professional career. I would recommend this to everyone who wants to get it right."
• "The course helped me identify my strengths/weaknesses as a leader and provided methods and techniques for improvement. Quality and passion of instructors is second to none."
• "I was skeptical but now I am an advocate. This is a great blend of military, corporate, and academic disciplines. I wish I had this experience ten years ago."
• "Was not what I anticipated but much better than I expected. Made me reflect on the past and commit to a life of purpose. It pushed me out of my comfort zone."
• "After four days here, I realized this was the best investment I have ever made in myself. I would recommend this Academy to leaders at all levels in any organization. It truly is life changing!"

 

May 2011 Session

Overall Rating: 9.0 (On 1-10 scale)

Comments:

• "First time I've had a chance to truly reflect on where I am and where I'm going since the war started almost a decade ago. Thanks for the fertilizer to jump start my personal growth."
• "Talk about perfect timing! Having just experienced a work related "crucible" in my life, I was searching for a way to reconcile it and move forward. This workshop gave me the tools to not only identify my strengths and weaknesses, but also the strategies to improve myself both personally and professionally."
• "Wonderful experience. Highly recommended."
• "I truly enjoyed the True Growth Academy. It served as a good reminder to focus on the things truly important in life. It also illustrated the impact we have on others."
• "I found it to be stimulating. The test will be the implementation and sustainability which remains to be seen. The ground has been laid for beneficial change."
• "This has been an excellent experience. Most programs don't focus enough on the personal side of leadership, which is crazy. It all starts with me, so I need more focus on me."
• "The experience was great. I would do it all over again."
• "Thought provoking, inspiring and helped me define my purpose and how to truly live it."
• "This class made me take a deeper look inside."
• "One of the best self discovery sessions that I have experienced. Will definitely emerge as a different person after this session. Excellent job!"

 

November 2010 Session

Overall Rating: 9.5 (On 1-10 scale)

Comments:

• "I have attended/participated in many "seminars" and "conferences" which entertained, educated, and motivated me, but this one helped me CHANGE ME to be a better PERSON from the inside out!"
• "I have been a manager for 30 years. I came into this with the attitude of "what can I possibly get out of this training?" What I now realize is how much more successful and productive could I have been had I taken the time to get this type of training 30 years ago. I can now move from a manager to a leader. My company will get back 100 fold on the cost of this class and will see the benefits for years to come."
• "I had an idea before coming to TGA of the experience I would have, but in the end I really had no idea. This will change my life."
• "I found the experience to be powerful, enriching and challenging. I was impressed with the engagement of the TGA staff/team."
• "In nearly 30 years of service I have never experienced a course that could impact your life on every level. This is so much more than training - it is life changing. True Growth - how appropriate!!"
• "Was skeptical about coming to another "leadership" class but now I wouldn't have missed if for the world."
• "As I have been wandering through life, I appreciate that I now have the tools to achieve balance."
• "Excellent confirmation of the importance of human relationships."
• "Truly changed my life."
• "I did not expect to find the quality or experience of the presenters that I found. I am going away with a really positive feeling and hope to be able to use so much of what I have learned."
• "Fantastic - learned more about myself in these 4 days than I had in a lifetime."
• "One of the best sessions I have been involved with."
• "Great experience - loved the military stories."
• "This was an inward journey that will bring outward rewards."
• "Almost felt guilty to think about "me" for 4 days. Wonderful reflection and experience."
• "I was skeptical at first of being enrolled in TGA. It appeared that I was going to do Myers Briggs inventory or something similar again. But TGA is more real, practical, and usable than that and I feel that this is an experience that I will utilize effectively."
• "Best investment my agency has ever made!"
• "A lot of what I learned I knew but it was buried very deep. Great process to help bring it out of me. I hope to journal for the rest of my life."
• "This week has been instrumental in defining the way forward of my improvement as a leader and more importantly as a person."
• "I've really grown in this session. I feel energized and motivated."
• "Brought weaknesses to front so they could be addressed."
• "Thank you for filling my low tanks. Thank you for a new lease in my career! Thank you for being great mentors."

 

September 2010 Session

Overall Rating: 9.7 (On 1-10 scale)

Comments:

• "I have participated in several similar experiences over the past 35+ years and this experience ranks among the very best! Keep up the exceptional work!"
• "A timely experience that has helped to begin refilling my mental and emotional "tanks." The leaves are already budding!"
• "I found better techniques on how to deal with professional and personal issues. Also, I understand how to better deal with different personalities."
• "This experience has had a twofold effect on me: 1. Proud and confident in my skills as a leader and, 2. Humbled by the vast expanse of room for improvement. I have a much clearer vision of the kind of leader, and person, I can be and want to be. And, most importantly, I learned how to become that person."
• "Probably one of the best professional experiences that I've had; I feel like I have been freed of a weight to be my true self. I am very thankful for the opportunity the Academy has given me."
• "Great experience!"
• "It has helped me to see that I am a good person and good at what I do. Lots of room for improvement but I am now better equipped to become a more effective leader."

 

July FEMA 2010 True Growth® Academy Evaluation

Overall Rating: 9.7 (On 1-10 scale)

Comments:

• "I have attended many training sessions and this is rated as the most enlightening and effective."
• "Truly a life changing experience. I came in with no preconceived notions, kept an open mind, and allowed myself to soul search."
• "All leaders should attend! TGA is focused on the core purpose of people and not just an organization."
• "The team (Lawson, Byrd, Larry, and Frank) is amazing!"
• "Life changing."
• "Exceeded all of my expectations and renewed my personal and professional energy and focus. It was exactly what I needed!"
• "Excellent experience in true self-awareness."
• "It was a time for introspection and putting into words what my purpose and focus should be. If it's not part of my purpose, let it be. "Flush it and move on" is great advice. I would definitely recommend this to others. Thank you for helping me to refocus."
• "A truly wonderful experience for leaders."
• "Good introspective experience. One must know themselves before they can effectively lead others."

 

May 2010 True Growth® Academy Evaluation

Overall Rating: 9.9 (On 1-10 scale)

Comments:

• "Life changing is only the 1st chapter in the book of compliments about what True Growth is doing. You are inspiring, changing, influencing, and molding relationships that will save lives. I've found the passion and source of joy that I've been seeking for 9 years. I've found my smile!"
• "The True Growth Academy experience is one of the most rewarding training experiences that I have encountered in my 20+ years of leadership. I found a part of me that I did not know existed. Has had a profound impact on my life."
• "The content was powerful and moving. I will use what I learned more than any other seminar I have ever attended."
• "This put my life into perspective in a way I would have never imagined. Powerful, moving, and life altering."
• "I truly enjoyed every aspect of this program and most of all the three gentlemen that lead it. They are authentic leaders whose personal and professional experiences have shaped and set the path for many to come. Outstanding!"
• "People tend to tell me what I want to hear. The people here were critical when they had to be, supportive when I needed that, and applauded my progress."
• "The leaders were great with great personal experiences."
• "Highly recommend to any leader. Personally and professionally, this was a seminal week."
• "The True Growth Academy taught me more about my life and purpose than any other training I have attended."
• "I was pushed to look deeper into my soul to figure out what my core purpose and values were."
• "This is, and was, very helpful in creating lasting relationships and accepting change."
• "This is the best learning experience I've had when it comes to leadership values, behaviors and purpose. This is something I will continue to develop and improve."
• "I learned to open up. But mostly, it was to be accountable to myself and follow through on my plan."

 

March 2010 True Growth® Academy Evaluation

Overall Rating: 9.8 (On 1-10 scale)

Comments:

• "Recharged my batteries and gave me clarity and focus."
• "Attending the TGA has served as a key milestone in both my personal and professional life. The information provided will now enable me to live a more purposeful and focused life."
• "If you want to identify the "I am" in you, True Growth is worth the experience."
• "It was a retreat that helped me understand myself better."
• "I am better in touch with myself and I have learned to express my emotions."
• "An awesome experience."
• "Reevaluated current life situation. Confirmed what was working well and what needs tweaking."
• "This was a growth experience. If each of my team mates attended the course, I believe we would become an integrated cohesive team."
• "I am leaving with a better vision for my life and even feeling better about who I am than I did when I arrived on Monday."
• "Extremely impressed with the knowledge and presentation skills of the team. You took a complicated issue and made it fun."
• "This came at a point in my life when I benefited from reexamining and reevaluating my leadership skills and purpose. It was also very timely for my personal life. Time well spent!"

 

November 2009 True Growth® Academy Evaluation

Overall Rating: 9.4 (On 1-10 scale)

Comments:

• "Highly recommend for current and future leaders of any company. It can change/define the direction of a career and the path that a company is traveling."
• "This was the most moving and beneficial experience of my professional career. I would recommend this to everyone who wants to get it right."
• "In just four days from the ice breaker to the closing session, I was able to see "True Growth" in me as a person."
• "Best week of learning for a very long time. I've taken away a lifetime of tools."
• "I am reminded that I am a better person than I think I am."
• "Very positive experience and time well spent. I would highly recommend."
• "This experience allowed me to understand my strengths and weaknesses. But more important, I am walking away with a better understanding of my life's purpose."
• "As much as this may have been professional driven, I took every bit as much away personally. It speaks to the value of the whole person."
• "The course helped me identify my strengths/weaknesses as a leader and provided methods and techniques for improvement. Quality and passion of instructors is second to none."
• "I'm sincerely touched by this experience and the new friends I've made."

 

September 2009 True Growth® Academy Evaluation

Comments:

• "I was skeptical but now I am an advocate. This is a great blend of military, corporate, and academic disciplines. I wish I had this experience ten years ago."
• "This experience pushed me; I was challenged and encouraged."
• "I tend to focus on the technical and this experience made me seriously realize that people need to be the main focus."
• "Absolutely outstanding experience! I'm a better person for attending."
• "The info was great, useful, and needed."
• "Absolutely a positive experience on self-awareness and self-development by the best set of facilitators. I will be a better leader as a result of this experience."
• "I don't normally take the time to go deep. This experience forced me to do so and that was good. Everyone needs to spend time questioning their motives and purpose."
• "I started the week uncertain of what to expect and/or if this would be beneficial. I am leaving with many solid takeaways that I anticipate using into the future."
• "Affirmation and realization of belief that self and people are most important in any organization yet may not be where emphasis is placed."

 

June 2009 True Growth® Academy Evaluation

Overall Experience: 10 (out of a 1-10 scale)

Comments:

• "A tremendous experience. It clarified and reinforced the core values that I had previously determined."
• "Wow! I had a wonderful time and truly learned a lot about myself. I am looking forward to putting into practice my action plan."
• "Great session - one of the best classes I have ever attended."
• "An eye-opener. I think I learned a lot about myself and my leadership style."
• "I wasn't sure what to think initially. I was afraid it would harp on leadership basics, which I already knew. It didn't and helped uncover why I have always done certain things."
• "I had mixed feelings about the trip. However, after reading the book I felt I could use the experience to change behaviors. At the end, I can say that my experience was truly positive. I look forward to the journey of living my life purpose. Thank you for the experience."
• "After hearing Byrd speak at a company event, I was so moved by his passion. Upon requesting support from my company I was told there were no funds to support me attending this Academy. I was so passionate about wanting to be here I paid for this myself. After four days here, I realized this was the best investment I have ever made in myself. I would recommend this Academy to leaders at all levels in any organization. It truly is life changing!"
• "Was very positive, gave me new perspectives in several areas. Encouraging to see the positive feedback from my team and motivating to see the developmental feedback."
• "This entire week has been educational and insightful. I normally become very bored in a classroom but I found myself literally hanging on to every word and completely impressed by the end of each session. True Growth® is an awesome experience and I for one will highly recommend it and wish I could do it again next week. Byrd Baggett and Lawson Magruder, I feel completely privileged to have met you and to have been educated and welcomed by you. Thank you both very much! Frank Cox, the every man's man. Complements the duo and makes me feel at ease among giants. For that, I would like to say thank you. Your intelligence and humor are unique and genuine. Sir, I hope to be able to stay in touch. Mrs. Gloria, your sweet, open, honest acceptance of me was felt instantly. As impressed as I will always be with having met a Three Star General, the fact that his wife made me cry tears of joy at the freedom she allowed me to experience will last a lifetime. Thank you and God Bless you."

 

February 2009 True Growth® Academy Evaluation

Overall Experience: 9.8 (out of a 1-10 scale)

Comments:

• A truly valuable opportunity to examine just what drives me. Most importantly, it taught me how to stay on task with those values that are important to me.
• Most incredible leadership experience I have ever been through. Truly thought provoking and life changing. Thank you for an awesome week!
• I walked through the doors with great reservation having attended several leader development courses in the past and didn't think there was much left to learn. Was I ever WRONG!!! TGA was a mirror for me. I'm leaving much better for having attended. Thanks TGA - you are first class.
• The TGA helped me find a better purpose in life.
• The TGA connected the "Dots" to my "Dash." Even as a person of faith, there seemed to be a disconnect in my life. This is why the Academy was effective for me.
• Words can't describe the value of this experience. It exceeded all reasonable expectations.
• Amazing experience - very refreshing - provided me with clarity and direction in both my personal and professional life. The openness and transparency was very helpful and valuable to me.

 

September 2008 True Growth® Academy Evaluation

Overall Experience: 9.6 (out of a 1-10 scale)

Comments:

• "This is a great enhancement to my leadership journey. I was challenged, allowed to be honest, and given excellent tools to take back. It was a very thought provoking and impactful experience."
• "The True Growth® Academy has set in motion change and direction that will give balance in my personal and professional lives."
• "As a result of the True Growth® Academy, I really think I can change my life. The 360 report was very helpful to me. Lawson and Byrd run a fun and relaxing but productive camp."
• "This experience will help me stay focused and develop into the human I want to be."
• "I learned how to face conflict, achieve personal growth, and now have the courage to be truthful with myself. After my one-on-one, I felt like I could see clearer and am very excited about putting my action plan to work."
• "Small group was awesome and the personal experience was great and effective."

 

May 2007 True Growth® Academy Evaluation

Overall Experience: 10.2 (scale of 1-10)

Comments:

• "During the retreat, I was really moved by the presenters and developed a sense of urgency to change that I had never felt before. I had been to countless management training sessions and leadership conferences, but none of them impacted me like this session. I was totally fired up and ready to start the process of improving all areas of my life." Read the Full Testimonial
• "Just what I needed. Exceeded expectations."
• "Fantastic! This course was the best leadership development session that I have ever attended. Could probably charge more."
• "This was truly a life changing event for me."
• "Unbelievable resource for personal development and living a purpose-filled life. Goes so deep. Uncomfortable at first and then powerfully fulfilling."
• "This program shows the blueprint, by practical and realistic example, of how to improve your leadership skills and enhance your personal enjoyment of daily activities by focusing on your personal 'big picture.'"
• "Pivotal and powerful!! Crucible events and lessons learned move us towards purpose. It is in the awareness and connectivity that we find clarity. Huge thanks and count me in on this mission."
• "The experience grew on me as it unfolded. I very much appreciated the format and examples to assist us with formulating our thoughts. Lawson and Byrd each have different gifts which add to the effectiveness of the experience."
• "This was a meaningful and powerful experience that confirms for me that I am ready to move to my next reinvention of myself."
• "The coaching I received provided me with not only feedback from observations, but also the confidence and validation to put into place the necessary actionable steps to take my Team to the next level."