There are people who do not feel safe at work. They don’t feel safe to speak honestly, offer ideas, or be themselves.

There are people who do not feel safe at work. They don’t feel safe to speak honestly, offer ideas, or be themselves. They fear that sharing concerns and mistakes will mean embarrassment or retribution; that if they are honest, they will be humiliated, ignored, or blamed. They fear asking questions when they are unsure of […]

Why leadership training and development are so critical and why our teams deserve it.

Three things I’ve learned about personal and leadership development: The greatest gift you can give someone is your own personal development. And one of the greatest gifts you can give your team is the gift of learning. Becoming a stronger, wiser, kinder person doesn’t just benefit you, it benefits those around you. Don’t mistake vertical […]

Why accountability and empowerment are inseparable.

Accountability is usually understood in terms of holding someone accountable. But what if we, ourselves, embraced being accountable for the benefit of our relationships, families, and organizations? Empowerment is usually understood in terms of “giving power” to someone. But what if we, ourselves, embraced empowerment as taking accountability to create an organization where you enjoy […]

Today there is a deep desire to connect to our authentic self, our true nature.

Whether or not we can articulate that desire, this yearning can show up when you say something like, “I have a good job and make a living, but I’m not able to find a sense of meaning in it; I want something that I have a reason for doing.” The pandemic made this inquiry, for […]

Authenticity brings peace, power, and purpose into our lives and leadership.

A research project posed two questions to a randomly selected group: What’s it like to live your life and not be the real you? Responses included: Exhausting, depressing, sad, stressful, lonely, disengaged, empty, and lost. What’s it like to accept yourself? Responses included: Happy, confident, joyous, free, inspiring, appreciative, alive, fulfilled. Who would you prefer […]

Embarking on a Journey

This week I had the privilege of meeting with two remarkable women, my friends Tanya Koshowski and Dianne McConnell, as we begin a journey to rebrand the Authentic Leadership Academies. I’m thrilled to be working with these generous and wise individuals and look forward to keeping you posted as our renewed model unfolds. And, if […]

Drive of Champions Fundraiser

It was an amazing day at Drive of Champions, a unique fundraiser hosted by the Calgary Police Youth Foundation at Spruce Meadows. All proceeds go to support children and youth by keeping them safe from crime and victimization through crime prevention, education, and early intervention programs. Attendees, car enthusiasts, and members of the public had […]

What do you do when someone on your team stops caring – and what if that person is you?

Caring is a part of who we are. If you’ve stopped caring, it is a coping strategy in response to stress. Not caring means you have built a wall to protect yourself. Maybe you’ve been hurt and are shielding yourself from further pain. Or perhaps you are exhausted from too many demands and expectations of […]

When offered an opportunity that feels too BIG or too Challenging – how do we know what we can handle?

Frankly, sometimes I don’t know. I have often found myself jumping off a cliff and building wings as I fall. Usually things work out if I lean into whatever is challenging me. Here’s a few things I do know: If I’m comfortable, I’m probably not growing. I don’t need to be growing all the time, […]

3 Habits you can start TODAY to make you a better leader

Stop working. I’m not saying be lazy, but reconsider what real work is. We typically think we aren’t working if we aren’t in front of our computer. Get up from your desk and visit or call a member of your team. Find out how they’re doing. Listen to their concerns and take the time to […]