We talk a lot about safety

/in , , , /by

We talk a lot about safety: product safety, traffic safety, bicycle safety, workplace safety, nuclear safety, etc. and I teach leaders how to create workplaces that are psychologically safe.

This focus on safety in our chronically anxious society could lead us to believe that safety is the most important value in life.

Safety is certainly important, but, according to Edwin Friedman in, A Failure of Nerve: Leadership In The Age Of The Quick Fix, “if a society is to evolve, or if leaders are to arise, then safety can never be allowed to become more important than adventure… We are on our way to becoming a nation of ‘skimmers,’ living off the risks of previous generations and constantly taking from the top without adding significantly to its essence. Everything we enjoy as part of our advanced civilization, including the discovery, exploration, and development of our country, came about because previous generations made adventure more important than safety… Prioritizing safety over adventure creates anxious risk avoiders, more concerned with good feelings than with progress.”

What is your Noah Project?

/in , , , , , /by

Noah’s project—the building of an ark—was a monumental undertaking with an enduring legacy. Despite skepticism and ridicule, Noah’s project symbolized visionary leadership and the power of perseverance for generations. His story continues to inspire people, a lasting example of how a single project, rooted in faith and determination, can have an impact that endures long after the original work.

A Noah Project is an endeavor that serves a noble cause and has enduring value beyond one’s life.

What is your Noah Project?
Is it building a company or a non-profit that will live beyond you? Is it being committed to making a difference to the team you serve? Is it recording music you produced? Is it starting a podcast or a blog post? Is it cleaning up your neighborhood? Is it a project that will help slow climate change? I have a friend whose Noah Project is to spend enough time with her grandchildren that “my finger print will be embedded in their hearts forever.”

My Noah Project this year is to write my memoir with my daughter. Hayley keeps encouraging me by saying I have a very fascinating life and a great story to tell. I’m about 1/2 done. It’s been a great learning and rewarding experience so far.

hashtag#impact hashtag#leadership hashtag#legacy hashtag#vision

Strong Fences, Open Gates: Mastering the Balance Between Distraction and Connection

/in , , , , /by

Interruptions—whether from email, notifications, or colleagues—can have a negative impact on our focus and productivity. Interruptions are not just minor annoyances, they are “toxic” to concentration and the quality of work produced. There is much scientific studies that show that it can take up to 30 minutes to regain focus after being interrupted, and that the “attention residue” from switching tasks leads to poorer performance on subsequent tasks. In short, interruptions are a major barrier to productivity and cognitive restoration. I advocate for structured work routines and clear boundaries to protect periods of productive focus and rest.

And… the right kind of interruptions are what make life truly meaningful and rich. After all, for what purpose are we being productive? A call from my daughter in the middle of a busy day to face time with my young granddaughter, Juno. A voice mail from a friend who needs to talk right after she put her dog down. An invitation from my wife to go for a walk…
The key in life is to put a strong fence to keep the wrong kind of interruptions at bay, and open the gate to the interruptions that matter.

From Shadows To Sunrise: How Feeling Irrelevant Signals Imminent Change

/in , , , , /by

Sometimes, the most meaningful insights occur when we admit our deepest uncertainties.

This past week, I talked with a friend, Gord Sarkissian, about some of my feelings of irrelevance at this stage in life and career. It wasn’t easy to voice my self-doubts as I emerge into this next chapter of my life.

Gord listened without judgment, reminding me that these questions are part of being human. By sharing my vulnerability and in reflection, I realized that self-doubt and uncertainty have always, for me, preceded a period of important change.

Transformation is on the horizon. Relevance isn’t a fixed point, but something we redefine as our lives unfold. Sharing irrelevance in a supportive community makes it relevant.

I had the good fortune to present a virtual session to The Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA) on Psychological Safety In The Workplace.

/in , , , , /by

A significant part of the discussion was about the vitally important topic of creating safe spaces for marginalized groups such as women, indigenous peoples and people of colour.

We must recognize the blindness that comes with privilege.

Let’s stay self-aware of ways we make it unsafe for people and keep the conversations going. Let’s be open to feedback about how our actions impact others and continually learn and be open to change.

If you see someone across the room that you’ve never met, could you build trust with them in ten minutes?

/in , , , /by

In ten minutes you couldn’t build enough trust to hire them, marry them, or invest your money with them, but you CAN move the trust needle.

Here’s how:

  1. Reach out. Waiting and hope are not good trust building strategies. Introduce yourself. Put yourself out there.
  2. Extend trust. People either distrust you until proven otherwise or trust until you proven otherwise. You’ll have a much better chance of building trust when you come from the latter approach.
  3. Be curious. Instead of trying to impress and be interesting, put your focus on being interested. Ask questions. Seeking to understand through listening to find common ground is one of the best ways to make deposits in the trust account.
  4. Demonstrate Caring. You can’t fake this one. If you don’t care, people will sense it, and if people know you care they are more likely to reciprocate trust. Demonstrate caring by remembering names and showing concern about what’s going on in their life. But when you care you don’t have to worry about demonstrating it. It will naturally come through.