Three Strategies for Effective Brainstorming
Creating an Awesome Brainstorm I love brainstorming. Whether we’re planning a camping trip, riffing on hilarious “what if?!” scenarios, solving a complex technical problem or strategizing for the upcoming school year, the creative exercise of collecting ideas is one of…
Why We Should Strive to be Strange
I am not a normal person. It’s pretty awesome to be comfortable with my strangeness because, in a world of conformity, this is a differentiator. One of the best things about being a dad is noticing and experiencing how my…
Seven Innovation Lessons from The Martian
A few weeks ago, I listened to The Rewatchables team discuss The Martian. So, then I re-watched the movie. Obviously. The story of marooned astronaut Mark Watney, played perfectly by Matt Damon, is chock full of creativity, problem solving, and…
The Definitive Analysis of how Co-operatives Show up in Pop Culture
It’s Co-op Week in Canada. Unfortunately, the co-operative movement has a communication problem. Even though economists, journalists, academics, activists, titans of industry, and communities from around the world laud the traditional, yet disruptive, business model, co-operators often struggle to simplify…
Three More Human Capabilities Being Surfaced by the COVID-19 Pandemic
Last week I wrote about three human capabilities being surfaced by COVID-19 and the global pandemic. At best, things are pretty weird times for humanity. More likely, these are definitely uncertain and very scary times, especially for the most vulnerable…
Five Places to Find Wisdom and Ideation in Your Community
Communities are full of knowledge and creativity. When we take out our earbuds, look up from our phones and deeply listen to our neighbours, baristas and Lyft drivers we can gather information and insights that just might enhance our work…
Six Tips for Making Your Next Vacation Count
This summer I took a short week long vacation. Half the vacation was taken up by a bike trip around southern Vancouver Island. The other half was composed of errands around town and (near constant) phone checking. During the latter…
Four Holiday Gift Ideas from The Potentiality Team
Every year our team shares gift ideas for the holiday season that will enhance your personal potential and support your journey of building healthy communities at home, at work, at school, and in your neighbourhood. Kurt, Mike, Godfrey, and I…
Four career building tips from Resident Evil
My wife and I love zombie movies and Netflix has one our favourites. Resident Evil is based on a zombie-hunting video game by Capcom. In the film, the Umbrella Corporation – a company of profound political and economic power –…
Five Tips for Being More Romantic from Notting Hill
It’s Valentines Day today and I recently watched Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts light up the screen and box office with the romantic comedy Notting Hill on Netflix. In case you missed it, the film tells the story of ordinary William…