The Gain the Ridge Story
GUIDING ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE WITH CLARITY AND COMPASSION
Danny Frazer: Transforming Teams and Leaders in Behavioral Healthcare
With over 20 years of experience in leadership and behavioral healthcare, I’ve had the privilege of guiding teams and programs through transformative challenges. From my early days at Outward Bound to co-founding Open Sky Wilderness Therapy in 2006, I’ve held a range of roles—from field and operations director to admissions and program director—which have allowed me to experience the complexities of organizational culture from every perspective.
In this journey, I’ve built operations from the ground up, trained dynamic teams, crafted strong cultures, hit sales targets, and successfully managed diverse personalities across every level of the organization.
Through moments of adversity and growth, I’ve learned that the path to success in leadership is rarely straight. It’s a journey of embracing both the lows—stress, doubt, and challenges—and the highs, which include the joy of building trusting, collaborative work relationships.
Ultimately, I’ve discovered that true cultural transformation goes beyond just systems and procedures. It requires authentic leadership, emotional intelligence, and the courage to take ownership of both our successes and failures.
Intentional Leadership, Meaningful Results
Together, we’ll build a future where individuals feel supported, teams move in sync, and clear, thoughtful strategies bring you the confidence to lead with purpose and the peace of knowing you’re on the right path.
Turning Setbacks into Success: The Gain the Ridge Story
One July morning in the Canadian Rockies, my family and I set out for what we thought would be a simple summit hike. But the day had other plans for us: The trail was practically nonexistent, and progress was slow going. Several hours in and well past the desired lunchtime, we sat defeated and assessed our options.
Reluctantly, we let go of the original plan and decided instead to “gain the ridge.” That became our rallying cry—something to lift our spirits and keep us moving forward.
Though we missed the summit, the ridge brought something unexpected: a quiet oasis and a sense of accomplishment that far exceeded what we thought we were after.
In business and in life, unpredictability is the norm. We’re often faced with changing conditions, limited options, and the need to adapt in real time. That day reminded us that the work isn’t always about pushing to the summit. Sometimes, the most effective path forward is the one we find when we adjust our mindset—and that can lead to something even more rewarding.
“Any person or program will benefit from Danny's assessments, consulting, and coaching. He approaches people, organizations, and situations with a calm, curious presence, staying grounded as he formulates responses. He encourages the best in people, and they rise to the challenge because he reassures them they can.”
Amanda Thomas, MPhEd, LMFT,
Co-Founder & CEO, Cobalt Family Consulting
The COIL Approach: Empowering Teams through Transformation
Blame is oftentimes mistaken for accountability. Shifting to shared responsibility and growth creates an environment where people feel empowered. Our COIL approach helps teams navigate challenges while staying grounded in their mission to support growth and healing.
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We work towards the same goal: creating the best possible program experience for our clients, their families, and their employees.
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We believe that every function, no matter how small, plays some role in success and failure, and as such, we will always look for ways to take responsibility rather than assign blame.
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We strive for excellence and operate with a solutions-oriented mindset. We owe improvement to all our current and future clients and ourselves.
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We seek to understand our past to improve our future. We encourage and welcome diverse opinions and creative ideas.
Discover how the COIL approach can help your team thrive. Contact us for a consultation.
