Overview
Dr. Gary F. Russell, founder of the Center for Professional Advancement (CPA), had his beginnings as a classroom teacher, coach, and head of a school. These experiences, added to his doctoral research and growing interest in the field of human behavior, led him to the philosophy behind CPA— given the opportunity and knowledge, all individuals will choose to advance themselves, and that everyone wants to better themselves according to their own vision and self-knowledge.
The Psychology Behind the Philosophy
Realizing that his philosophy of human behavior was the main reason for the success of his soccer company, North American Soccer Camps, Russell formed CPA, an organization that would embody these beliefs and teach this knowledge to others in all walks of life.
Russell's observations and experiences with people on all levels within various organizations led him to more closely study and research the behaviors he felt were displayed by effective teachers, managers and coaches. He realized it was of paramount importance to understand and replicate the positive behaviors displayed by people who effectively interact with others. He knew that harnessing the power of this knowledge and understanding would ensure the success of future interactions between all people in all walks of life.
Russell combined his proven research in the area of human behavior with his own experiences and beliefs and developed Interactive Perceptual Psychology© (1992 Dr. Gary F. Russell. All Rights Reserved). Within this psychology, effective interaction processes are replicated by a model he created known as Focus® (Formation Of Concept between you and me, which is US). IPP was the foundation for all CPA's course and workshop curriculum.
CPA offered graduate courses for teachers and also conducted sportand business oriented workshops. As adjunct professor at institutions of higher learning, such as Ashland University, East Stroudsburg University, PA and Notre Dame College in Ohio, Russell provided staff development workshops for educators and accredited courses for their professional development. As time went on, Russell then utilized CPA to begin teaching staff development to corporate organizations, utilizing his Focus® Model as the foundation for teaching others the successes he’d himself applied within his own organizations over the years.
Everything Russell learned through the success of the Center for Professional Advancement and his sports organizations, together with his significant knowledge of over three decades of Focus® research, ultimately led him to create The Focus Group. This revolutionary business now serves organizations throughout the world by teaching them how to identify and maximize the talents of employees to increase both individual and organizational productivity and performance.