The last two weeks of January I was working in Bolivia, as a Volunteer Advisor (VA) with the Canadian Executive Service Organization (CESO). I was there assisting the Municipality of La Paz with some conflict management and communication challenges they are facing. The work My work with the Municipality was right up my alley. I enjoy […]
Restorative Justice Pilot aims to change bad driving behaviours
January 15, 2018 by · Leave a Comment
The other day I was listening to a radio talk show about drivers who are texting while driving. One trucker called in to say that from his perch in his rig, which sits well above most vehicles, at times it appears that everyone has a mobile device open, either on their lap or seat, and […]
Your Conflict Advantage: A workplace success story
December 13, 2017 by · Leave a Comment
Back in October, I was a speaker at a Disrupt HR event in Victoria, to a room full of HR (Human Resource) professionals. The event was capably orchestrated by a well-known local HR firm, Engaged HR, in partnership with Calliope Learning. “Disrupt HR is an information exchange designed to energize, inform and empower people in […]
What to do if you are someone who hates to talk about “feelings”?
December 5, 2017 by · Leave a Comment
When I was a young man, I rarely talked ”feelings”. For the most part, I didn’t know how to. My feelings avoidance played itself out in different ways. One way was that, at age 21, I bought a guitar, and took to studying flamenco guitar. My internal thoughts were, “I will learn to express how […]
How to build and scale conflict competency in your small business
November 28, 2017 by · Leave a Comment
There are approximately 400,000 small businesses in British Columbia. Every single one of them will face conflict, of one type or another. Yes, conflict will come. Conflict will most definitely come. If you are a small business owner, why not build your business’ conflict competency now, in preparation for the conflicts that will definitely come […]
Men: Three conflict management strategies to break down stereotypes and improve workplace relationships
November 15, 2017 by · Leave a Comment
Men don’t listen, aren’t in touch with their feelings, want to win (at any cost), abuse their power, are arrogant, are afraid to show weakness, think of nothing but sex, don’t see any gender problem, and so forth. I know and/or consciously intuit that I’ve been labeled with each of those stereotypes, at one time […]
Difficult conversations go better when you find and negotiate with your feelings
November 6, 2017 by · Leave a Comment
I was a cigarette smoker in my younger days. For close to 15 years, I wrestled with the addiction. When I finally committed to being a non-smoker, I gained a different perspective on smoking. Many years after my last cigarette, I spent several years as a contract business analyst, working on the development and implementation […]
Demonstrate humility to gain respect from your team
October 31, 2017 by · Leave a Comment
When your team member screws up, and admits it, that’s a good sign. The ability to eat humble pie is a virtue. “Humility is the single greatest and most indispensable attribute of being a team player”, says Patrick Lencioni, in The Ideal Team Player. Teamwork and humility Over the decades, I’ve been a part of […]
Aligning values and behaviours makes for a healthier workplace culture
October 17, 2017 by · Leave a Comment
I’ve yet to encounter an organization whose stated value is ‘workplace harassment’. Yet, the sexual assault, abuse and harassment stories shared under the #MeToo hashtag on social media this week would almost suggest that’s the case. In a healthy workplace, values and behaviours closely align. Align behaviours and values: Walk the talk Values are words. Behaviours […]
Conflict: Thank you [A poem]
October 9, 2017 by · Leave a Comment
[October 9, 2017 is Thanksgiving Day in Canada. My poem gives thanks to conflict’s role in my learning journey.] Hello Conflict, my trusted friend I can count on you, to put in an appearance, every day A gift, of sorts Thank you. When I work with you, respect you My differences with others turn small […]
