I have my eyes checked every year to ensure I have maximum acuity for driving. I've been seeing Dr. Voss for years. During my last appointment I asked the receptionist, "You've been here a long time now, haven't you?" "Yes," she responded, "it's not for the money." Now, what do you...
How to make change fun
Guest Blog: Steve Salisbury Many of my clients are looking for guidance in the area of motivation and celebration during difficult change. Steve provides some great advice and agreed to let me repost it here. You can read more of Steve's wisdom here. How to make change fun One of...
Manifesto For Effective Organizational Change
I'm often asked about my thoughts on the discipline of change management - where it is and where it's going. There is new thinking required in our approach to change. Here it is: 1. Don't manage change; Provoke it. Best practice says that we should gradually expose stakeholders to the...
How to Create a Performance Environment – Part 1
I live an hour from the mountains. They are a gorgeous site...when I stop to look. Many people allow their surroundings to fade into the background. It becomes too familiar. This is a normal attribute. We have a Propensity to Attenuate (PTA) for things that don't change. They become invisible...
How To Develop Strategy
I recently met up with Theresa who has moved up several layers in her organization over the last few years. "So what's the next position for you?" "I'm not sure. The next level is VP and my manager develops strategy with ease. I can't do that." The only difference between...
Great Canadian Leaders are Less Canadian
In an episode of Top Gear, Jeremy Clarkson introduced Ryan Reyolds as the guest and promptly plied him about classic Canadian stereotypes (seriously, who pronounces 'about' as 'a boot'??). Ryan handled them with class, and then drove the crap out of their car. Nice. One of the most often quoted Canadian stereotypes is...
Is Your Change Tasty Enough?
I don't drink, but I've enjoyed two wine tasting sessions with expert sommeliers. It's amazing how much you can appreciate with just your sense of smell. A chart of aromas is often provided to assist your nose; I've always been intrigued that 'wet dog' is a distinct wine smell. No...
Pushing for Higher Performance? Revere the Energy Addict
Have you seen an energy addict? They walk with eyes aimed low, tablet or phone in hand, scanning walls one foot off the ground looking for an outlet. The ultimate energy opportunists, they plug in as soon as a power source is available, even with a battery at 95%. We...
Buy, Borrow or Bypass: Linchpin by Seth Godin
I wanted to love this book. Then I wanted to hate this book. Seth Godin has a very strong reputation and when this title appeared at the library prior to my vacation, I eagerly downloaded it to my reader. There are some very good nuggets in this book, however, you have...
When is a stretch goal unrealistic?
During a recent speech on executive communications I demonstrated how messages can have unintended consequences. A positive message can be applied in a negative way. At the time my focus was on Wells Fargo and recent findings that employees had illegally signed up customers for new products (read the story)....
