As I have traveled to speak throughout various regions of Canada, I have frequently had this question asked of me – enough so that I finally decided to sit down and record practicable principles, with the hope of encouraging those who find themselves in this situation.

 Auschwitz Entry Gate, Poland

“Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human
freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances,
to choose one’s own way.” Viktor Frankl

The question follows sessions where I have spoken about culture being leadership behaviour, and the necessity of leadership modelling; about how (bilateral) accountability and grace are imperative for optimal performance, and about how leadership must evolve to become  Please Continue Reading …

Something I am learning about myself is that I trust easily upfront, but then fear abandonment and betrayal in certain circumstances, which leads me to plan escape routes from the potential to be wounded.

No one truly enjoys being vulnerable, and I would be no exception. I don’t mind being transparent, in fact I value transparency as a component of authenticity, but vulnerability can be a fear-full thing.

I find myself vulnerable when I have to take responsibility for a mistake I made where others have to pay for it in some way. As I reflect  Please Continue Reading …

We had nothing to do with the creation of our life at the beginning, so why do we worry about tomorrow?

I asked this question of someone once, and they (indignantly) replied, “because we have agency.” Sure, we have the ability to make decisions and take action, but why would we employ this ability in worry? Plan, review, analysis, contemplate, calibrate, learn…but why worry? We literally could not stop the coming of our life, and we ultimately can not stop its passing.

The #1 principle for personal resilience is spiritual as a connection to the transcendent; to the larger that is beyond us. I can visualize this as being caught in a powerful storm, but having an anchor that holds my boat steady. Better yet,  Please Continue Reading …

I have been struck by concept over the past few weeks, and it has been growing in clarity and conviction for me: the importance of Corporate Character.

I am a self-declared values-based leader, and I have advocated long and hard in relation to the impacts of corporate culture. I have debated along with others about the merits of culture versus strategy – as if either of the two could ever stand on their own.

Character can be defined as: The combination of  Please Continue Reading …

There are really only 4-keys to ensuring accountability related to maintaining necessary protocols and practices.

The first 3 keys need to be explored in the following order:

Is the item:

1. Clear?
2. Understandable?
3. Doable?

The answer to each of these leads to a natural next step of change, which provides some hope for future performance, while the 4th is the most defining: Please Continue Reading …

Given that an organization is ALWAYS a composite of individuals, and that each individual person is organic, a tree serves fairly well as an organization structure metaphor/picture.

Fist, note that it is relatively upside down as compared to a traditional organizational chart, with the bulk at the top, and the leadership at the bottom. This supports  Please Continue Reading …

There’s been lots of talk about happiness in various circles over the past few years. Which countries have the most of it? How did they get there? How can WE get there and get a slice of the good life too?

Obviously, there is nothing wrong with being happy! However, the road to happiness may not be what we would expect it to be, it may even be directionally backwards to what we would assume. Please Continue Reading …

I have been a fan of your acting in the past, and so as a fan, I feel an obligation to help you with your campaign against fossil fuels.

Photo Credit: Huffingtonpost

I heard you on CBC radio 94.1 FM this morning. It was reported that you had a jet fly you over the oil sands in northern Alberta, and as you were interviewed following the report, I heard you say that you believe that all oil extraction must “stop”.

Like you, I am passionate about the preservation of our environment – even the possibility of leaving it in a better state than we found it!

So, to that end,  Please Continue Reading …

In part 1 of this series, I illustrated how the state of being overwhelmed paralyses our will for change. Overwhelm is a state where we simply don’t know what to do to improve our situation. If as leaders we are willing to engage coaching to bring perspective, we can renew hope and our will for change can return.

In part 2 of this series I illustrated how our behaviours can stem from addictions and attachments, many of which form our understanding of who we are and what is normal in our world. We may understand the logic or benefit of change, but we are unable to truly possess a will for it, as it challenges our own self-image.

In this final part of the series, I will discuss the role of fear.   Please Continue Reading …