Five Energizer Activities for Introverts
I share an office with an awesome colleague named Kristin who is an introverted human being. That means that she gets most of her energy from internal feelings as opposed to external sources of stimulation. At times, “energizer” or “icebreaker”…
Six Collaboration Tips from PAW Patrol
As a father of a toddler with a reasonable social network, I am becoming immersed in the world of the hit (I think) children’s animated series and consumer products juggernaut, PAW Patrol. The show’s premise is simple enough. Ryder, a…
Three Things You Can Say to Enhance Collaboration
Language is an amazing thing. What we say and how we say it reflects who we are and what we value. Whether you are speaking out of habit or stepping out of your comfort zone to make a point, the…
Four Project Management Lessons from Our Major Renovation
This summer we began a major renovation in our home. Over the course of a month and a half, we worked closely with a contractor and a range of tradespeople as they gutted, tiled and rebuilt – from the cement floor up…
Five Collaborations Lessons From Minority Governments
British Columbia is in new political territory. This week the BC Greens and BC NDP political parties announced that they will collaborate to govern the province for the next four years. Minority and coalition governments are my favourite kind of…
Seven Collaboration Lessons from Shipping Containers
Shipping containers fascinate me. It’s an invention that human civilization agrees on more than anything else. Around the world, people who disagree on politics, Internet access, fashion, art, and what side of the road to drive on. No matter how…
Five Collaboration Lessons from Our Debut Album
I love Dave Shumka and Graham Clark. They are Canadian heroes. Stop Podcasting Yourself is a trailblazing form of the medium that’s been making hearts smile since podcasting was a thing. And their latest project, Our Debut Album, in which…
Six Workplace Collaboration Tips from Brooklyn 99
The Emmy Award and Golden Globe winning hit Fox sitcom Brooklyn 99 is one of my favourite TV shows. I want to be friends with Jake Peralta, I want to be mentored by Ray Holt, and my wife has a…
How to be a Good Listener
THE POTENTIAL OF DIALOGUE Meaningful dialogue is an elusive thing in our communities. Having a respectful conversation with someone about something on which we do not agree isn’t common. Yelling opinions over someone else or building a newsfeed that reinforces…
How to Show Up for a Grieving Colleague
It might be a death in the family, a miscarriage or a new life situation that hugely alters their life trajectory. Whatever is the event, it plummets your colleague into grief. While many workplaces offer short term bereavement leave, it’s…