EarthAsylum Celebrates
One-Year Anniversary

Following his deep-seated passions, in September 2005 Kevin Burkholder left his eleven-year position as Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, refinanced his home, and started a new consulting service focusing on management, leadership, and individual strengths.

“The traditional business model of the top-down organizational chart cannot produce or maintain corporate excellence into the coming era. Tomorrow’s world demands that the chart be turned upside down and that leaders must serve their company by working for their employees to ensure personal engagement in the vision and direction of the company. In order to be successful, companies must find a way to capitalize on the talents and strengths of each individual and to provide an environment that feeds the intrinsic motivations of people by empowering them to let loose their creativity, enthusiasm, and devotion.” Says Kevin Burkholder, owner and sole-proprietor of EarthAsylum Consulting.

“What is critical to corporate success and growth is employee engagement. Engagement is the level at which an employee volunteers discretionary time, effort, and brainpower. It starts with the front-line manager but takes deep involvement throughout the organization.”

Recognizing the needed changes in the typical corporate hierarchical structures that we have all accepted, Kevin has embarked both professionally and personally to change the way it is. Through his consulting and coaching practice, Kevin works to enable leaders, managers, and employees to bring out the best they have to offer. Through his personal endeavor – The EarthAsylum Leadership Circle - Kevin is bringing together people who see a better future and are willing to create change and work towards that future.

A long-time colleague and friend had this to say to Kevin: “This is such an exciting venture for you! Your group [The EarthAsylum Leadership Circle] speaks to what really matters--people are our greatest assets—we just need to convince business owners and the employees of that fact too. Good for you, Kevin!  You’re doing it!”

EarthAsylum’s primary focus is in strengths-based performance. With a philosophy that each person’s talents are enduring and unique and each person’s greatest room for growth is in their areas of greatest strength, Kevin believes that by concentrating on improving weaknesses we diminish the real catalystic value of our strengths.

“Rather than spending time and energy on boosting sub-par performance areas to an acceptable level (and ignoring areas of excellence). We do better by spending a majority of time enhancing the areas in which we are already strong.” Says Kevin. “A successful performance management plan is centered on individual strengths.”

Kevin further commented, “I hope that what I’m doing serves as a model and inspiration to others that have passion in their hearts. Do what you believe in. Do the right thing because it’s the right thing to do. Follow your passion. If you really want to make it happen, you’ll find a way.”

“This has been a tough year and an educational year for me. There were and are many hurdles to overcome in starting a business and it has been a lot of hard work over many many hours. But I believe that what I’m doing is right and I continue to remain enthusiastic and passionate about the work I’m doing.”

EarthAsylum was conceived with the basic belief that this is not how it’s supposed to be.

With the goal of making a difference and contributing to the success of others, EarthAsylum is poised to expose the reality that work can be and should be a place of self-actualization; a place of excitement and fulfillment; and a place which fosters great business and personal success through mutual growth and opportunity.

To learn more about EarthAsylum Consulting, on the web visit www.EarthAsylum.com.
For more on The EarthAsylum Leadership Circle, visit www.EarthAsylum.org.

Kevin may be reached via email at KBurkholder@EarthAsylum.com
or on the web at www.KevinBurkholder.com.