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. […]
Take Ownership: 12 Leadership Principles for Better Workplace Relations
February 19, 2018 by · Leave a Comment
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Smart Urban Design Focuses on Safety and Relationships for Healthier Interactions
October 4, 2017 by · Leave a Comment
Whenever I rush into a difficult conversation without first creating a safe space to have that conversation, I invariably regret my impulsivity. Difficult conversations, especially relationship-oriented ones, demand paying attention to the ‘how’ conversation is to take place as much as ‘what’ the conversation is about. No matter the place, safety precedes authentic conversation. Relationships […]
