Midwives and mediators have much in common. I’m convinced. Last week I read Ami McKay‘s excellent, and popular, novel, The Birth House. Set in small town Nova Scotia in the early 20th century, the story initially orients around an elder midwife, and her young protege. Using traditional herbs and remedies, they help local women through […]
Diversity Reporter: Sharing stories and connecting communities in Victoria and beyond
February 27, 2011 by · Leave a Comment
In late 2010, I attended a Diversity in the Workplace workshop, here in Victoria. It was there that I met Mohsin Abbas, founder and editor of Diversity Reporter, a free, multi-lingual, bi-weekly newspaper, aimed at connecting communities in the Greater Victoria region. Sufficiently impressed with Mohsin, and his collaborative ways, I wanted to learn more […]
Most Valuable: A place to connect with your neighbours
February 21, 2011 by · 3 Comments
Once a month, on a Saturday, a local mobile recycling company (Pacific Mobile Depot) sets up shop in a school parking lot in my neighbourhood. Neighbourhood residents take their used stuff to this recycling drop-off, where it gets sorted, and bagged, to be taken away by the company. Locals dropping off their stuff are asked […]
Looking ahead: How would Seth Godin market mediation?
February 15, 2011 by · 2 Comments
Almost 5 years ago, Seth Godin wrote a post about the challenges of marketing climate change. In that post, he said: “It doesn’t matter what you market. Human beings want: – totems and icons – meters (put a real-time mpg or co2 meter in every car and watch what happens) – fashion – stories – […]
From Collaboration to Innovation
February 10, 2011 by · Leave a Comment
How do people collaborate, and turn their creativity and hard work into innovation? Join me for an interactive workshop I’m giving on March 5, and we’ll do our best to answer that question. Here’s the info… What: From Collaboration to Innovation Where: Camosun College (Victoria) – Interurban Campus When: Saturday, March 5, 2011 Time: 9-4 […]
Changing habits: A simple plan
February 2, 2011 by · 2 Comments
I used to smoke a lot. It was a habit. It was a serious addiction. Then I took up running. That became my new habit. It wasn’t easy shifting habits. Zen Habits suggests 3 simple steps (as the core) to change your habit: Write down your plan. Identify your triggers and replacement habits. Focus on […]
The IdeaConnection Interviews: The place to go for insights into Open Innovation
January 27, 2011 by · Leave a Comment
Last week, I had the pleasure of conversation with Vern Burkhardt, a writer with IdeaConnection, a company that connects business to creative and innovative people, from around the world. We met at a local coffee shop. I’d been looking forward to our conversation for some time. I wasn’t disappointed. Since late 2007, Vern has been […]
Twelve Steps to a Compassionate Life: Video Book Review
January 23, 2011 by · Leave a Comment
Compassion is an attitude. It’s principled and consistent concern for another. It’s about putting yourself in someone else’s shoes, feeling their pain, as though it where your own, and entering generously into their point of view. It’s not about pity or feeling sorry for someone else. To be compassionate is to live the golden rule; […]
Does your professional title of "mediator" limit you?
January 18, 2011 by · 6 Comments
You’ve been plugging away for a while now, as a mediator. The business isn’t flowing in. You feel like you’re in a dip. All factors considered, perhaps the way you describe your work role, or the way others see your professional title, is just not a motivator, for anybody? Perhaps you need a more compelling vision […]
