One of my favourite places where I live is Cedar Hill Golf Course, aka Saanich Municipal Golf Course. Not only is it a golf course, open to the public, its a true community place, serving the local residents in many different ways. Last week, early on a cool summer morning, I met with Craig Rencher, […]
Six Christian Principles for Fruitful Collaborative Relationships
June 10, 2018 by · 2 Comments
My wife works for a church. Through her work, she subscribes to the CCCC Bulletin, a periodical publication of the Canadian Council of Christian Charities. She shared a recent edition with me, knowing it included a worthy piece on collaboration. Thank you, dear! Christian Collaboration: 6 Principles In the April 2018 publication of the CCCC […]
Psychologically androgynous individuals make good collaboration partners
May 29, 2018 by · Leave a Comment
What if you could work or partner with someone whose behavioural response to conflict always seemed right, no matter the situation? They were assertive when needed. They were nurturing when needed. How unique would that be? You’d love collaborating with that individual, right? What would it take to be that individual? Psychological androgyny Men have […]
3 Strategies to help mediate the affordable housing crisis
April 10, 2018 by · Leave a Comment
My city, Victoria, is in the middle of a housing affordability crisis. Even more so, is my city neighbour, Vancouver. Property values have escalated so fast, and high, that all but the wealthy can afford what used to be common aspirations of the middle class – e.g., own your own home. With a growing affordability gap […]
Meaningful Expressions of Care
February 28, 2018 by · Leave a Comment
When my two kids were growing up, we often watched Mr. Rogers on television. He was authentic. He communicated, and expressed care, in his own unique way. He was special. Mr. Rogers The genial host of “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” is being celebrated this year on the 50th anniversary of his first broadcast; with a PBS […]
Take Ownership: 12 Leadership Principles for Better Workplace Relations
February 19, 2018 by · Leave a Comment
How do you get everyone in your workplace on the same behavioural page? A recent conversation with a local business leader led me to Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win. At first glance, I was reticent to read this book. Yes, the book was about taking ownership, full ownership, of your workplace. […]
On assignment with CESO in La Paz – Bolivia
February 9, 2018 by · 5 Comments
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 […]
