Meet Lisa Marie Platske, an award-winning leadership expert and the CEO of Upside Thinking, Inc., an international leadership development company. Recognized by prestigious entities such as the White House, the United States Small Business Administration, and The International Alliance for Women, Lisa Marie has received numerous accolades for her transformative work in leadership.
As a member of the Forbes Coaches Council, an international best-selling author of seven books, and a regular contributor to some of the biggest publications in the world, Lisa Marie has dedicated her life to working with leaders, so they achieve extraordinary results in both money and meaning.
An influential woman in every right, Lisa Marie creates a culture of success by building trust, communicating effectively, and leading by example – with empathy. This philosophy is central to her work at Upside Thinking, where she walks with leaders who are often at a crossroads to take the road less traveled and become better in all areas of their lives.
Also Read: Randy Loveless: A Catalyst in Legal Nurse Consulting
The Foundation
Raised by a single mother, Lisa Marie’s upbringing was marked by resilience and determination. She learned valuable lessons from her tumultuous childhood, marked with financial struggles and a violent family environment. “Experiencing financial struggles taught me the value of money, while dealing with dangerous situations made me deeply value protection and justice,” she reflects.
These early challenges instilled within her a deep sense of courage, a strong work ethic, and a passion for creating an inclusive world where everyone can thrive.
Talking about her early years, Lisa mentions that her journey as a leader started to take shape when she was in the Girl Scouts. By embracing outdoor activities and paying heed to her mother’s encouragement, she was able to distinguish and establish herself as a leader. Soon enough, she was tasked with planning trips, organizing community projects, as well as leading group activities.
She recalls, “These experiences laid a solid foundation for my leadership path and taught me the value of serving others.”
Law Enforcement and Leadership Development
Prior to being a leadership coach to executives and business owners, Lisa Marie started her career in federal law enforcement. Entering law enforcement was not merely about securing a job; it was about fulfilling a mission aligned with her core values.
However, she had to face multiple challenges to establish her place in law enforcement. Early in her career, she encountered resistance and isolation, with colleagues referring to her dismissively as “hair and nails.”
This barrier, initially constructed for self-protection, prevented her from forming meaningful connections with her peers. Recognizing this, she shifted her approach. “I got curious about what was important to them, stopped trying so hard to prove I was perfect, and learned three new words in my vocabulary – ‘I don’t know,’” she reflects.
By embracing vulnerability and actively listening, she found that more doors opened for her, facilitating better relationships and teamwork.
Lisa Marie’s journey through federal law enforcement had her teaching at the esteemed Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, and designing educational frameworks for seasoned officers, yet who were newly appointed leaders at the Leadership Development Center.
Her rapid ascent through the ranks underscored her leadership prowess, making her one of the fastest-promoted officers in the agency. A unifying theme emerged from these milestones: the importance of establishing genuine human connections. “Everyone wants to be valued, respected, and loved,” she emphasizes. This insight is a cornerstone of her leadership coaching at Upside Thinking.
The Upside Thinking Approach
Upside Thinking was born out of a desire to change lives through leadership. Guided by the belief that mastering the art and science of leadership can change the world, the company focuses on both top-down and bottom-up approaches, making their methods accessible and useful for clients at any stage of their leadership journey.
The concept of Upside Thinking is central to Lisa Marie’s coaching methodology. “The Upside in Upside Thinking isn’t just the opposite of the downside. The concept of ‘Upside’ represents Unlimited Potential and a link to your higher consciousness or Divine wisdom,” she explains. This approach ensures leaders understand they are responsible to live their lives to the fullness of their God-design – and when they don’t, the world misses out on their gifts, abilities, talents, and experiences. And it takes courage to move past the status quo to achieve their highest potential.
Also Read: Shockwave Motors: Revolutionizing Electric Commuting
Coaching Programs
The coaching programs at Upside Thinking are designed to take leaders on a journey of self-discovery. This journey requires courage because it requires stepping off the hamster wheel of life’s responsibilities and into one’s Divine purpose. At the heart of UPSIDE THINKING™ is a fundamental belief: leadership begins from within – not just having an improved technical skillset.
“Far too often, folks get caught up in the pursuit of external achievements, only to be left feeling unfulfilled or struggling to maintain the progress they’ve made. This is why we focus on inner transformation rather than just technical skills,” Lisa Marie emphasizes.
The UPSIDE THINKING™ approach flips this paradigm on its head. By guiding clients through a deep exploration of their innermost thoughts, beliefs, and patterns, they begin cultivating the mindset, behaviors, and habits needed to achieve their most ambitious goals.
The coaching programs include a blend of one-on-one coaching, group workshops, and immersive experiences. Clients can choose from three distinct leadership coaching programs, including how to use the Divine Operating System to create greater ease in daily life. Offerings include a “Gateway to Greatness” mastermind, weekly accountability conversations, leadership retreats, and private leadership retreat days. Additionally, the three-day Upside Summit held every January centers around the core of their curriculum – the 7 Pillars of Leadership – and gives you a look inside the upside.
“In a world that often will encourage you to conform, compete, and chase external markers of success, the UPSIDE THINKING™ body of work offers a fresh approach to leadership, guaranteeing you will achieve health, happiness, success, and meaning,” Lisa Marie notes.
By bridging business practicality and spirituality that leads to greater health and wealth, Upside Thinking provides the tools for clients to become the architects of their destinies.
The Power of One
Maintaining productivity and focus while managing a successful business and coaching others is a challenge Lisa Marie Platske meets with strategic intention.
Leaders often face an overwhelming list of tasks, but Lisa Marie believes only a small percentage of these tasks contribute to the long-term growth and evolution of an organization. To navigate this, she employs what she calls the “Power of One.”
“One priority. One action. One hour. Every day,” she explains. This focused approach allows her to concentrate on actions that produce a return on investment (ROI) rather than merely getting things done. As she has increased her effectiveness, her focus has shifted from completing tasks to engaging in activities that yield meaningful results.
Lisa Marie rejects the traditional concept of work-life balance, instead advocating for work-life integration. “To be balanced is to have equal magnitude in opposite direction,” she asserts. For her alignment between work and life is achieved by maintaining clarity about who she is, what she wants, and why it matters at every moment. Through prayer, she brings God into every decision. This alignment ensures that her personal and professional life complement each other, creating a seamless and fulfilling integration.
A Dynamic Future
Lisa Marie envisions a dynamic future for Upside Thinking, marked by both growth and strategic evolution. “I seek massive growth for Upside Thinking, and I also pray about every decision I make,” she explains.
As new programs and initiatives continue to evolve, Lisa Marie has recently focused on restructuring the infrastructure of her business.
Reflecting on the early days of Upside Thinking, she notes, “When I started the company 19 years ago, I had different personal responsibilities – and my main focus was to deliver leadership training programs on topics like change management, dealing with difficult people, and communication dynamics.”
Today, much of her effort is centered around leadership coaching and consulting programs, along with speaking engagements at larger conferences. This evolution necessitates an internal shift as well. While she continues to externally focus on three key performance indicators—scalability, fiscal responsibility, and innovation— as they are essential for sustainable success, she also invests in internal personal development and spiritual mentorship while continuing to let God lead. This is leading with purpose and passion.
Read Digital Version of this Issue.
Visit Upside Thinking Website.
Contact Lisa Marie Platske on LinkedIn.
