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 […]
Psychologically androgynous individuals make good collaboration partners
May 29, 2018 by · Leave a Comment
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 […]
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 […]
