Leader Testimonials & Impact Stories

Dr. John Narine’s Recovery Friendly Leader training is exactly what our industry needs—urgent, practical, and transformational. If we’re serious about ending the overdose crisis in construction, it has to start with leaders willing to show up, be vulnerable, and drive real change. I’m deeply grateful for this training and the path it lays forward.

As an Employment Specialist, the RFL Training gave me essential tools for supporting clients in recovery as they navigate workplace challenges. Various strategies for having difficult conversations while maintaining professional boundaries were exactly what I needed. I now feel more equipped to help my clients communicate effectively with employers and colleagues about their recovery journey. The real-world scenarios perfectly matched situations I encounter daily. This training enhanced my ability to advocate for and support my clients’ long-term employment success.

Learning about how to have tough conversations in the workplace- especially around recovery – was a powerful and eye-opening experience. I appreciated the safe space to explore not only the challenges but also the opportunities that come from addressing sensitive topics with empathy and clarity. This training helped me build confidence, improved my communication skills, and reminded me of the importance of compassion in professional environments. I now feel better equipped to support both myself and others through recovery-related conversations with respect and understanding.

This was my first educational session that I attended through Recovery Friendly Leader and it was awesome! The topic of Navigating Difficult Conversations to Support Employee Recovery is so important! I am in recovery myself, and have seen firsthand how people get treated when they are vulnerable enough to share the need for support. Seeing the passion in the room from folks through multiple lines of workforce and sectors to learn and become more comfortable having these conversations, just makes me want to become more of an advocate! Thank you so much for this opportunity!

The Recovery Friendly Leader training was an empowering experience. The facilitator’s first-hand knowledge made the material relatable and encouraged open, stigma-free conversations about resources available to employees. I appreciated the interactive format, especially being paired with participants from other industries who are already leading this work. The scenarios and discussions created a community learning environment where we gained insight not only from the facilitator but also from one another. It’s clear that the organizer and facilitator truly care about these topics. This training is what real change looks like, and I was honored to be part of it.

With decades of experience as a manager and HR professional, I have attended many trainings, but Dr. John Narine’s Addressing Substance Use & Demonstrating Inclusion program was exceptional. It provided timely, practical strategies for leading and supporting employees struggling with substance misuse or seeking to achieve and maintain long-term recovery. The training served to strengthen my confidence and equip me to foster a more inclusive, recovery-friendly workplace. I highly recommend Dr. John Narine personally, as well as the training programs that he has designed and delivers through the Recovery Friendly Leader program.