Fail Fast, Fail Forward: Why Leaders Should Be Quick to Acknowledge Failure
One of the most challenging behaviours to overcome as a leader is a compulsion to “be right” or “save face.” Acknowledging failure is one of the most humbling acts for a leader and teammate, but it’s crucial for genuine leadership and performance. The instinct to avoid being seen as failing can undermine the very growth […]
Working in a Multinational Setting in a Diverse Setting
Multinational teams are a unique tapestry of cultural learning, innovation, and collaboration. They offer a rich environment where diverse perspectives can thrive, leading to creative solutions and personal growth. Yet, as beautiful as these teams can be, they are not without challenges. Language barriers, cultural differences, and misunderstandings can create friction and frustration. Throughout my […]
Remote Working
Remote work presents an array of challenges, and it requires strong communication and high levels of trust. Oftentimes group messaging can become overwhelming for individuals. There can be dominant players in the chatroom, distracted conversations, and miscommunication. 1. The Acknowledgment Function When sending emails or chat messages, encourage team members to acknowledge messages even if […]
Imposter Syndrome
What is imposter syndrome and why does it matter? In 1978 Psychologists Pauline Rose Clance and Suzanne Imes developed the concept, originally termed “imposter phenomenon,” which focused on high-achieving women. They stated that “despite outstanding academic and professional accomplishments, women who experience the imposter phenomenon persist in believing that they are really not bright and […]
Learning not Losing
How do you adapt to a “learning” mindset instead of a “losing” one? From an early age, we are taught that losing is an undesirable outcome. As children, we never want to be the last to cross the finish line. This becomes detrimental to our development when the fear of losing causes us to not […]
Dropping the Rope: Transform Stress into Opportunity
We live in a world where stress and anxiety are constant companions, particularly in high-pressure environments. The weight of responsibilities, the fear of the unknown, and the relentless push to perform can create a natural stress set point where tension becomes our norm. But what if we could change that? What if we could learn […]
Happiness Formulas
Happiness Formulas. “I figured it out. I know how to be happy.” A few years ago my friend Jet and I had a conversation that has stuck with me to this day and is becoming increasingly relevant in how I manage my perspective. Jet is the kind of person that everyone loves to be around. […]
Seeing the Forest for the Trees
As a kid I grew up in Nova Scotia and I was very lucky that my playground was the Atlantic Ocean. I grew up boating and fishing and even skating on the Ocean in the winter (yes, we had enough ice back then!) I loved nature, I loved being near the water and playing in […]
The Military Planning Process and COVID-19 Vaccines
Is a military approach the solution to current crisis management? In their updates and press releases, political leaders regularly apply military metaphors, using terms such as “wartime posture”, “waging war”, “mobilize”, “join the battle”, and “losing ground”. Applying militaristic metaphors and concepts in business, politics, and industry is not unique to current affairs. In the […]
What I Learned Getting Blown Up
During my six-month tour in Kandahar, I lost 6 of my 9 lives. Some brushes with death were closer than others—the closest was being blown up. In the immediate aftermath of major combat with the Taliban, my squadron was tasked to build a road linking two coalition forward operating bases in what was just an […]