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Jeffrey DeGraffScientist, writer, speaker, consultant
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Biography of Jeffrey DeGraff
Jeffrey DeGraff is a renowned scientist, writer, speaker, and consultant, known for his contributions in the field of conflict analysis and resolution in organizations. He has successfully applied his discoveries to benefit society and has become one of the world's most prominent business consultants.
Early Life and Education
Jeffrey DeGraff was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan, as the second of five children. He obtained his Bachelor's degree in Communication Arts and Sciences with a teaching certification from Western Michigan University in 1980. He later earned a Master's degree in Communication and Information Sciences from the University of Michigan in 1982. In 1985, DeGraff completed his Ph.D. in Educational Technology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Professional Career
From 1985 to 1990, DeGraff served as the Vice President of Communications and Venture Projects at Domino's Pizza. At the age of 26, he became the youngest member of the company's management team. DeGraff's innovative approaches and strategic decisions played a significant role in transforming Domino's Pizza into one of the fastest-growing enterprises of the decade.
In 1990, DeGraff was invited by Professor Robert Quinn to join the team at the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan. His role involved developing and teaching courses on leadership development, creativity, and innovation. DeGraff excelled in this position and is currently recognized as the top professor of management and organizational theory at the university.
In the same year, DeGraff began collaborating with Robert Quinn on the "Competing Values Framework" at Competing Values, LLC. Alongside Kim Cameron, they refined the CVF model, creating an effective methodology for resolving common organizational conflicts and problems. DeGraff rapidly became a consultant for numerous Fortune 500 companies, guiding them in launching innovative processes and optimizing existing business strategies.
In 2009, DeGraff founded the Innovatrium Institute for Innovation, an educational project with laboratories located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and Atlanta, Georgia. The institute serves as a platform for collaboration between educational institutions and businesses, focusing on developing new innovative concepts, fostering connections, and forming teams of experts, practitioners, scholars, and students to address the most pressing challenges of the modern world.
In June 2011, DeGraff launched his own television show, "Innovation You," on PBS, dedicated to exploring the topic of innovation. He has also authored several successful books, including "Innovation You: Four Steps to Becoming New and Improved," "Competing Values Leadership: Creating Value in Organizations," "Leading Innovation: How to Jumpstart Your Company's Growth Engine," and "Creativity at Work: Developing the Right Practices to Make Innovation Happen." DeGraff regularly contributes to publications such as Psychology Today and the Huffington Post through his blog.
