communication_and_passing_along_information

What’s The Difference Between Communication And Just Passing Along Information?

I serve as vice-chair on an international nonprofit board. Our chair is passionate about her work and about staying in contact with board members around the world. If she has a weakness, however, it’s that she assumed that sending emails to board members meant she has actually communicated with them. “I can’t understand why he […]

leadership_presense_fast_paced

How Is The Pace Of Your Life Affecting Your Leadership Presence?

When I am helping leaders strengthen their authentic leadership presence, I find it is important they understand how the pace of our life affects our connection to others. In the words of the philosopher Piero Ferrucci, we are in the midst of a “global cooling.” Human relationships are becoming colder. Interactions with others are becoming […]

stay_with_bosses-e1439982386292

We Don’t Stay in Organizations; We Stay With Bosses

There’s a familiar phrase, “We don’t leave organizations; We leave bosses.” I believe that is true, and I also believe the converse is true. Bosses make a difference – in organizations and with people. Never underestimate the impact you have. I recently spoke with a plant manager in a Western Canadian company who told me […]

the_invisible_leader-e1439981724256

The Invisible Mother – And Invisible Leaders

This story came to me from my good friend Don Campbell. It speaks to the work of mothers, and may we all celebrate the work of mothers today. Take a few minutes to appreciate you mother. But this story, in a larger way, speaks to the humility and ego-less work of all great leaders at […]

breathe_new_life_into_your_organization-e1439982166904

Breathe New Life Into Your Organizational Culture

This beautiful little blog from a public service team leader, a participant in one of my workshops, inspired me so much that I thought I’d pass it along. Breathing New Life Into The Public Service: It Starts With You. That’s the title of the conference I recently attended. Best-selling author, David Irvine was the speaker […]

making_an_investment_in_character-e1439982300185

Making An Investment In Your Personal Character

“We never know what’s wrong without the pain. Sometimes the hardest thing and the right thing are the same.” Isaac Edward Slade, from The Fray. I heard a very interesting story a while ago, told by Gary Kuzyk, Director of Labor Relations with the City of Hamilton. It so happens that when he started his […]

leadership_at_any_level-330x242

Being A Force Of Nature: Leadership At Any Level

George Bernard Shaw, the Irish playwright, philosopher, and a co-founder of the London School of Economics, said that, “This is the true joy in life, the being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one; the being a force of nature instead of a feverish, selfish little clod of ailments and grievances […]

protecting_your_talent

Protecting Your Employee Talent: New Challenges For Organizations

As the economy turns, how do you protect your employee talent asset? After eighteen months of layoffs, wage freezes and increased workloads, employees are feeling tired and disheartened, ready to jump ship for better opportunities. According to a recent survey by Right Management Inc, six in ten employees intend to pursue new job opportunities somewhere […]

building_culture_by_design

Building A Work Culture By Design

David Packard, one of the co-founders of Hewlett Packard and creator of the HP Way said, “It has always been important to create an environment in which people have a chance to be their best, to realize their potential, and to be recognized for their achievements.” He and his business partner, Bill Hewlett, understood the […]

boss_or_leader

Are You A Boss Or A Leader?

“One’s self is at the base of everything. Every action is a manifestation of the self. A person who doesn’t know themselves can do nothing for others.” —Eiji Yoshikawa, Japanese historical novelist When you think about the bosses you have had in your life, you’ll find there are at least three kinds: Those who help […]