Home

The History of Calypso Consulting

Calypso is a U.S. company incorporated in California in 2004.  It has been formally registered with the Beijing government since 2005 as Calypso Consulting Inc. Beijing. 
Frank Gallo, who is the Chief Leadership Consultant for Hewitt, Greater China, and the retired President of Watson Wyatt, Greater China, formed Calypso.  The firm is devoted to raising the level of leadership in China.  

Calypso Services

Frank Gallo conducts all Calypso services. These are:
 

  • (1)   Executive coaching of both Chinese and foreign leaders in China. Initial contracts are typically written for six to twelve months and are renewable as appropriate.   The coaching focus is on the executive’s style of leading and working with others. 
  • (2)   Leadership development workshops. Topics include giving and receiving feedback, coaching and mentoring, developing listening skills, and cultural differences between Western and Chinese leaders.
  • (3)   Leadership development consulting for companies in need of enhancing their leadership development programs. This intervention is usually short-term and done in conjunction with either executive coaching or leadership development workshops.

Clients are both multi-national and local Chinese firms. All services are performed in China but are conducted in English. 

Why the Name Calypso?

Many people have asked me why the company is named Calypso. Especially in China, where the name is less known than in the West, I have often found myself providing an explanation. 

 
The name “Calypso” actually has two derivations for this company. However, it is interesting to first understand the roots of the word from Greek mythology. Calypso was the daughter of Atlas and lived on an island called Ogygia. When King Odysseus’ men perished in war, Odysseus was washed ashore on Ogygia Island. Calypso soon fell in love with Odysseus and promised him immortality if he would stay with her. He refused because he wished to return home. So Calypso kept him prisoner until Zeus intervened and ordered Calypso to set Odysseus free.   While I did not name the company because of this Greek mythology connection, someone once suggested to me that my love for China could be analagous to Calypso’s love for Odysseus. Perhaps.