High Stakes Coaching

 Welcome to the Temporary Webpage 
of Shannon Bruce and StoryBridge Coaching

Thank you for visiting this webpage. I am currently in transition as I prepare to launch StoryBridge which is committed to transforming teams through conscious conflict. The company's mission is to reconcile relationships and to help clients by saving time, money and pain caused by unresolved conflict. The outcome of this work is improved relationships and results as you experience a culture shift from crisis to collaborative within your teams!

Please continue to check back at this page for updates. In the meantime, I have a couple of offerings below for individuals and 2-person teams that need support around high stakes conversations.

I am also available to learn more about your specific needs and to design a customized plan to support you, your teams and your organizations. Please contact me by e-mail at shannon@shannonbruce.com or by phone at (360) 308-8292.

Wendy Balman and I are also available to support you with your larger organizational needs as we leverage our skills and expertise. You can reach us at info@theleadershipcollaborative.biz.

Watch a video message from Shannon

Click Here to download the resource, "What is a Team?"

What is High Stakes Coaching?

High Stakes Coaching has been birthed out of a need. With the fast pace we currently live, it’s evident that the demand for results at home and at work are growing exponentially.

At the same time, relationships are suffering because there’s no time to develop them. Meals are “on the go” between activities or meetings, work consumes most of the week and downtime has become a thing of the past.

And literally, it’s put us into “Crisis” mode as we put out fires, dictate orders and exist in survival mode just to “get by”.

Over the last year of working with corporate teams, I’ve witnessed these above scenarios first hand. It’s also reflected in the families I’ve worked with, including my own.

With pressures mounting and expectations increasing, the toll this has on relationships has awakened a new passion in me for what I call “High Stakes” Coaching.

This is the coaching that is needed to “stop” the madness so you can: 

• Take a deep breath, 
• Step back from the chaos and,
• Get clear about the high stakes critical conversations needed to resolve the active conflict in your relationships.

Because the truth is, “working harder” isn’t solving the problem! I assert that this "crisis mode" living, whether at home or at work, is causing relationship conflict that at some point MUST be addressed.

As part of my new work to be launched through a re-brand and refreshed company, I am currently partnering with individuals and 2-person teams to have “high stakes” conversations where active relationship conflict is present.

How do you know if you’re in relationship conflict?

You might not think you are experiencing “conflict” in your relationships because on the surface everything seems “good”.

It’s likely you aren’t aware because there are walls that cover the root of the conflict. There’s a façade of “everything’s fine” while the deeper conflict percolates and churns underneath the surface.

You are aware that there is struggle. You find yourself irritated, frustrated, overwhelmed and/or annoyed with yourself or others at home, at work, or at both. And the truth is, you find yourself in this situation more often than you care to admit or want.

Relationship conflict also doesn’t always mean your conflict is with another person. It’s even more likely that your personal internal struggles are the real source of your conflict.

Whatever the case, this High Stakes coaching is designed to address the conflicts that are causing “Crisis” in your life. The point is to STOP the following: 

•  Sleepless nights,
• Burn out and exhaustion,
• Constant anxiety that comes from the overwhelm of “too much”,
• Flying off the handle, 
• Going through the motions with little enthusiasm,
• Putting out fires,
• Running from one event or meeting to the next with little time to breathe, eat or take a break, 
• Always serving others yet not not doing a good job of taking care of yourself,
•  Arguing over pointless matters,

If you can relate to any of these scenarios and feel hopeless, with few options, wondering what’s next read on….

What’s the Point of High Stakes Coaching?

Relationships are at risk. Results are at stake. Legacy matters.

With every relationship conflict or struggle that goes unresolved, there is suffering. Not only are you affected but others in your life and work are being adversely impacted. The long term consequences of unresolved conflict are disastrous resulting in chronic health issues, sickness, failed relationships, financial and job losses and reduced productivity to name a few. If you don’t believe me, read the Gallup Institute’s Well Being Index to learn more.

The bottom line is that productivity and results are hindered as a result of relationship struggles. Whether it's your own personal effectiveness, the results within your family, or productivity and profitability at work, unresolved relationship conflict causes a drain on all three. Why? Because all of your "relationships" are interconnected.

Because of this "crisis" mode living, your decisions are often reactionary to whatever challenge comes your way because you need to move on--quickly! This leads to a lack of focus on the long range impact because there's no time to consider questions like, "How is this decision today going to affect the future?" I assert it's affecting the ability to leave a positive legacy, at home and at work, that is sustainable and meaningful. And this matters!

Why I care?

My passion is to bring an end to the struggle in relationships. It really doesn’t have to be this hard—it really IS possible to reconnect with the joy of your relationships and to have fun within your families and at work. It’s even attainable to like who you are and how you show up in relationship with others.

But before you can arrive here, you need to step back to resolve your relationship conflicts. And whether you name it as “conflict” or “struggle”, we’re all in an active relationship conflict that demands a high stakes conversation, with ourselves or with others.

And quite frankly the idea of stepping back, slowing down and actually having THE CONVERSATION with yourself or someone else triggers FEAR!

Who in their right mind would want to do this?! Just mentioning the mere thought of “confronting” yourself or another person, produces instant PANIC and sheer TERROR!

So what do you do? Run…get busy, do anything you can to diminish the fear that surfaces. Whew! OK, that’s better, right?

It might be better for now…until that next argument or tense situation where someone points the finger and casts blame. Or the “elephant” in the room shows up, it’s awkward and people shut down and withdraw.

Working with teams in crisis, I’ve learned something very important that I want to bring forth to you through this High Stakes coaching.

Conflict is actually a gift because it’s the pathway to resolving the issues you have with your relationships. It's the catalyst that produces results, sparks positive change and improves relationships!

It might sound crazy but it’s true. When you go into the conflict, perceptions are clarified, truth is discovered, and solutions emerge. Not only will you find answers that will resolve your conflict, your relationship with conflict will shift to one of “embracing it” rather than stepping over it or running from it in the future.

And there’s a catch…

For you to really address the unresolved conflicts, it requires a third party to help you navigate the conversation. This is where I come in—I act as your guide to:

• Navigate the conflict to cut through the drama, baggage and relationship “waste”,
• Advocate for the voice you aren’t bringing to the conversation, the one that says, “If I say this, what will happen to me?”
• Glean the wisdom that will provide helpful solutions to put an end to the struggle.

So how does it work?

The High Stakes Coaching Offer

In support of ending your struggles with conflict, I’m offering two coaching packages of 3 hours or 6 hours to help you, your partnership or your 2 person team take immediate action on the following:

• Engage directly in high stakes conversation where conflict and struggle is present.
• Clarify your voice so you can express what you really want to say, without fear of retribution.
• Find alignment around the conflict so you can move forward. 
• Eliminate the inner struggle and the emotional drain.
• Have ongoing tools to navigate future high stakes conversations when they arise.

Note: These offers are temporary until I relaunch my entire array of services. I currently have the capacity to support 15 individuals or 2-person teams. When these spaces are filled, this webpage will be taken down.

For 3-hours of coaching by phone or by Skype:

Full pay - $649

http://bit.ly/WJ3thb

2 pay option - 2 payments of $329

http://bit.ly/10z5zbD  

What you’ll receive:

• 30-minute phone call to set our foundation as we partner to design our coaching agreements and clarify the approach that fits your unique situation.
• 3 hours of high stakes coaching for a critical conversation where conflict is present. I will work directly with you or with you and a partner (biz partner, spouse or work relationship). We will clarify this during our 30-minute call.
• Role playing as needed.
• Critical strategies that will help you resolve your current conflict and accountability to action to make the necessary changes.
• Recording of all calls.

For 6-hours of coaching by phone or by Skype:

Full pay - $1,549

http://bit.ly/VkYSVv

2 pay option - 2 payments of 829

http://bit.ly/10br953

3 pay option - 3 payments of $569

http://bit.ly/V4MeZG

What you’ll receive:

• 30-minute phone call to set our foundation as we partner to design our coaching agreements and clarify the approach that fits your unique situation.
• For Two Person Teams: Coaching assessment and diagnostic report (before and after coaching) to show the tangible shifts made in both positivity and productivity within your 2-person team as you engage in the conflict and navigate the changes to support your team.
• 6 hours of coaching for high stakes conversation where conflict is present. I will work directly with you alone and/or with a partner (biz partner, spouse or work relationship). We will design this during our 30-minute call.
• Role playing as needed.
• Critical strategies that will help you resolve your current conflict and accountability to action to make the necessary changes.
• Recording of all calls.

Have Questions?

Are you wondering which option to choose? Perhaps you aren’t sure if this is a next step for you?

You might be curious about some other aspect of coaching that you need that's not addressed here.

For these reasons, I am offering a free 15-minute consultation to answer your questions and to help you clarify what your next step is and which option will best support you. 

Please complete an assessment questionnaire Click Here and e-mail this to me so we can schedule our phone call to explore your unique situation. I am flexible and willing to work with you on the design of our coaching together.

Why work with Shannon?

You might be wondering why you should consider me as your guide for the High Stakes Coaching.

First, I have the passion for it because I know it works—I welcome the conflict and have no problem engaging with it. Others would perceive it as messy; I see it as a gift.

I have the results with other teams that I have coached specifically around relationship conflict. Here’s a sample of results:

Marriage Team:

Team #1

Positivity Increased: 16%

Productivity Increased: 10%

Corporate Leadership Teams:

Team #1	Positivity Increased: 35%	Productivity Increased: 33%
Team #2	Positivity Increased: 68%	Productivity Increased: 36%
Team #3	Positivity Increased: 18%	Productivity Increased: 15%
Team #4	Positivity Increased: 25%	Productivity Increased: 18%
Team #5	Positivity Increased: 11%	Productivity Increased: 16%

Positivity includes: Respect, Constructive Interaction, Camaraderie, Optimism, Trust, Values Diversity, and Communication

Productivity includes: Alignment, Proactive, Goals & Strategies, Team Leadership, Decision Making, Resources, and Accountability

Note: I have similar results with individuals just not the quantifiable numbers which are the result of the Team Diagnostic Assessment. If you're interested in the results of individual clients, I can provide testimonials and references.

I’ll create a safe space for you to bring your voice as I stand with you as an advocate for your relationships.

There will be no judgment—only curiosity and calling forth in service to you resolving your relationship conflicts.

I am a Trailblazer—the work we will do, whether it’s with you around your internal conflicts or related to your family or work teams, will positively affect ALL of your relationships.

This work is “trailblazing” as most coaches address the individual, families or the workplace. I focus on all three at once through a relationship systems approach.

Because of this, I assert ALL of your relationships will improve even though we will only work on one relationship through our coaching. That’s because the relationship communication skills we use, and the insight you gain will support you in engaging with ALL people and ALL relationships. Together, we will blaze a trail to reconciled relationships.

Let’s Get Started


You might be feeling a bit of discomfort around the thought of investing in this High Stakes coaching. That’s normal as you consider taking this risk.

Don’t let the discomfort stop you. It’s a calculated risk that will reap the fruit of your investment.

So choose the option above that best supports you and “click the link”. Why struggle any longer?

I look forward to partnering with you!