American Woodmark Corporation
2102 Shawnee Drive
Winchester, VA 22601-4208
(703) 665-9100
Mr. Albert Pesso
Pesso Boyden System Psychomotor
Strolling Woods
Lake Shore Drive
Franklin, New Hampshire 03235
Dear Al,
As we discussed, I am writing to inform you of how American Woodmark has utilized aspects of the Pesso Boyden System Psychomotor (PBSP®) as part of our management process.
As background, American Woodmark is a manufacturer of kitchen cabinets, which are sold nationally through a network of home centers, distributors and builders. We are a public corporation with annual sales of about $200 million. We have seven manufacturing facilities and over 2,000 employees. We are headquartered in Winchester, Virginia.
I learned about the PBSP® by attending a one-week course on PBSP®, which you conducted, and by participating in experiential workshops. I also participated in the international conference on PBSP® in Atlanta.
I have incorporated aspects of PBSP® as part of a five day leadership and cultural change course, which I teach to American Woodmark employees and to MBA students at Shenandoah University. I use the PBSP® model in a manner similar to the way Abraham Maslow’s “hierarchy of needs” has been traditionally used. The advantage of the PBSP® model is that it provides a better structure, in my opinion for both understanding and changing human behavior. For example, as part of the course, individuals and teams use a questionnaire to assess how well their “genetic propensities, “ which I call “natural tendencies,” are being met or expressed in the work environment. I have also found that the PBSP® model can be presented in a manner consistent with a development of spirituality, without offending any on individual’s particular religious beliefs.
Another senior executive at American Woodmark and I have attended a PBSP® experiential workshop where we addressed key philosophical issues we have with the culture and direction of our company. The process enabled us to better understand how and why each of us holds our own particular mental models on these issues and has given us a framework for both understanding and reconciling our differences.
Our company utilizes Stephen Covey’s leadership program and one of our employees is a certified Covey facilitator. The way we use our PBSP® model is compatible with and complements what we learn from the Covey program.
In summary, I believe that PBSP® can be of significant value to the business community. A considerable portion of today’s business learning is in the form of training specific techniques. The PBSP® model provides an educational framework for better understanding human nature and thereby gives meaning and context to more traditional learning.
I would be happy to speak with anyone who is considering the application of PBSP® to business or non-profit work organizations.
With best regards,
William F. Brandt, Jr.
Chairman and President
