Author: jskipper

Most people are aware of the 'fight or flight' syndrome. A lecture on stress is usually accompanied by references to the 'lizard brain' and the negative effects on our ability to learn or think clearly. This leads to a discussion of coping mechanisms we can use 'in the moment'. I...

I hate Cirque du Soleil shows...almost as much as I love them. It's not uncommon for me to leave a show feeling both exhilarated and frustrated. If you've seen one, you'll understand what I mean when I say there's too much going on to take it all in! While you commonly...

Over the last two years I’ve observed a growing number of ‘change managers’ who are ill-equipped to do the job. Clients tell me the same thing: “There are too many people who have taken a change management course and think they can lead a change effort.” In fact, few are...

As we watch 2016 come to a close, there has been a lot of focus on the tragedy and bad news that characterized the year. In my home province of Alberta, there is much lament about the volume of layoffs punctuated by a horrific fire in Ft. McMurray. As emotional...

Whether you like or not, some company out there is dropping your email address into their distribution list as you read this. Lucky you! When I decided I was going to bring my email under control - and get some of my life back - one of my first targets...

For the vast majority of us, it's easy to get distracted. There is a vast ocean of bright shiny objects to occupy our attention. Recently I was working on a few major client deliverables. With each passing day the need to complete them became more urgent and yet I would...

I was in London for the first time. Never having taken the train, I asked an attendant for help purchasing the ticket. She asked "Buy or collect?" I could only look at her, completely dumbfounded by the question. We don't have those options for train tickets in Canada. What does...

Do you wake up in the morning, check your phone (first mistake), then feel your energy tank as you see the number of new unread messages? Looks like it will be another double-cappuccino morning starter. A few months ago I hired a coach to help me improve my personal effectiveness...

“This is the stupidest idea I’ve ever heard.” We had just announced a critical shift in the way projects are catalogued. For years the business had been applying a numbering system that included year, cost center, project type and other critical information. With a glance at that number, documents could...