#organizationalculture

Feb 8
2 min

As a leader how can you prioritize your mental health?

Mental health can be something that many leaders overlook, however it's a vital leadership skill that is a key part of long-term success in an organisation. As a leader, it's critical that you have an sound understanding of your team's mental. In addition as a leader, it's important to prioritize your mental health in order to effectively lead and make decisions. Some ways to do this include: Taking regular breaks throughout the day to rest and recharge. Practicing self-care

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Jan 26
3 min

Dealing with Difficult Personalities at Work

As much as we would like to think that our workplace is a utopia where everyone gets along and works together seamlessly, the reality is that we all have to work with people who have difficult personalities. These individuals can range from the passive-aggressive colleague to the outright aggressive boss, and they can make the work environment a living nightmare. However, with the right tools and strategies, it is possible to manage and even thrive in a work environment with

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Jan 12
3 min

The Importance of Having Difficult Workplace Conversations

In any workplace, difficult conversations are an inevitable part of the job. Whether it's discussing a mistake that was made, giving feedback on a project, or addressing a problem with a colleague's behavior, these types of conversations can be uncomfortable and stressful. But despite their challenges, it is essential that these conversations take place in order for the workplace to function effectively. This is the key topic my co-author Ken Cameron and I talk about in our 5

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Jul 25, 2022
3 min

Does the search for 'talent' actually hold us back from developing our employees?

In my corporate workshops I often talk with participants about taking a coach approach to leadership . Rather than seeing themselves as a leader as a 'heroic' figure, who goes around the organization solving problems, they should consider looking for opportunities to coach and develop their employees so that they can solve problems for themselves. This often prompts at least one participant to ask "but what if our people don't have the talent required to be coached, shouldn't

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May 27, 2021
2 min

Seven Is A Lucky Number ... And So Are These Seven Lessons Of Effective Leadership

Several years ago I struck up a conversation on the C-Train and the individual upon finding out what I did for a living, asked me 'What is the one piece of advice you would give to a new leader?' I replied 'Don’t be a jerk!' And whilst I stick by that piece of advice, I later crylalized my thoughts and created the Vision EXCITE leadership model I have gone on to use this model with clients from a mulitude of different organizations. More recently I discussed the model on Face

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May 18, 2021
3 min

5 Things You Should Never Tell Your Employees During a Performance Review

All too often the performance review can become a tense affair, with the the reluctant employee and manager dancing round the 'shit' sandwich .... sorry the feedback sandwich, see a previous blog on the exact subject This Is Why The Feedback Sandwich Is A S**t Sandwich. Often in my work I hear from managers who are struggling with how to structure their performance reviews and sometimes are concerned with saying the wrong thing. I cover below 5 phrases you should avoid during

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Mar 10, 2021
5 min

Speak Up! ... 'You should fire him' ... What Next?

In our workshops I will discuss with participants how, despite planning out what you are going to say beforehand, often when the 'action' starts during a 'difficult' workplace conversation, the other party doesn't react as expected. By using live actors in our worships we give participants the opportunity to think on their feet and develop positive reaction strategies. This is also a theme my co-author Ken Cameron talk about in our recently published book 'I Need To F***ing T

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Feb 26, 2021
4 min

I Can't Work With You When You're Like This ...

In my corporate workshops I often talk to participants about taking early proactive management action when they first notice an issue arise with a team member. At this early stage there is a choice to make, do I live with the situation or deal with it? This is a theme my co-author Ken Cameron talk about in our recently published book 'I Need To F***ing Talk To You - The Art Of Navigating Difficult Workplace Conversations' What follows is an extract from our book where we cons

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Feb 5, 2021
6 min

This Is Why The Feedback Sandwich Is A S**t Sandwich

In my corporate workshops I often talk about the limitations of the popular feedback model the 'feedback sandwich'. In this article written by my colleague Ken Cameron, he explains the model's limitations. Over to Ken .... 'We’ve all done it. I know I have, and I can’t be alone in this. So, I’m willing to bet you’ve done it too. You’ve given at least one of your direct reports the feedback sandwich. You’ve started off with something positive to get your employee on board. The

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Jan 15, 2021
4 min

A Viking, a Construction Worker and a Graduate walk into a bar ....

Both in our corporate workshops and our recently published book 'I Need To F***ing Talk To You - The Art Of Navigating Difficult Workplace Conversations', my co-author Ken Cameron and I discuss the benefit to a leader of separating the person from the behaviour when it comes to managing our employees. What follows is an extract from our book where we consider a useful method to do this .... If we agree that it’s not effective to think of our employees as “fxxxing unmanageable

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Dec 14, 2020
4 min

Are People Really 'Unmanageable'?

Both in our corporate workshops and our recently published book 'I Need To F***ing Talk To You - The Art Of Navigating Difficult Workplace Conversations', my co-author Ken Cameron and I pose the question 'Are people really Unmanageable?' Even the most disagreeable or truculent of our employees or co-workers, are they really 'Unmanageable'? What follows is an extract from our book where we consider this specific point.... Before we proceed any further let’s dispel a myth now;

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Dec 8, 2020
2 min

Can You Create High Performing Teams If Everyone Is Working Remotely?

For many managers the reality of managing a disparate group of people, who are used to working in close proximity but now work remotely, has been a challenge. A fine line to walk between micro managing on the one hand and leaving people to their own (electronic) devices on the other. In this blog we look at three areas that can help managers confidently meeting the challenge ahead in the coming weeks and months. Often managers will think of how they can create a High Performi

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Nov 3, 2020
1 min

Moving the Dial on Race

The #CMIRace network supports people to create more equal, diverse and inclusive organisations by driving change through professional leadership and management practices. Read their practical guide on workplace inclusion to find out how you can move the dial on race. #BetterManagers The Chartered Management Institute noted 'Delivering Diversity also provides clear, practical steps that leaders can take immediately to make an impact.McKinsey research clearly shows a diversity

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Oct 20, 2020
1 min

Companies Need to Think Bigger Than Diversity Training

Workplace Diversity, Remote Working and COVID 19 are three of the big topics of 2020. Below I have shared three articles focussed on the challenges facing leaders in the Fall of 2020, I hope you find them useful. Workplace Diversity has again been high on the agenda of most organizations this year. Often in response to the call for increased diversity and representation within the organization companies will look to provide Diversity, Equality & Inclusiveness training. This

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Aug 18, 2020
1 min

Leading Your Team During the Return To Work

Hopefully you have had a restful summer and have enjoyed time off with family and friends. Now in mid August we turn our attention to the return to work in a very different socially distanced manner, with co-workers in many places in Alberta wearing masks in offices and workplaces. Below I have shared three articles focussed on the challenges of leading in the return to work, I hope you find them useful. Firstly, you might be reflecting on your own leadership practice like th

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Jul 21, 2020
1 min

How To Ensure You Recharge Your Batteries Whilst On Your Vacation or Staycation

Well we've made it into July after 4 months of COVID 19 restrictions and many of us are turning our thoughts to recharging and relaxing with

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