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Leading with Purpose
“The process of articulating your purpose and finding the courage to live it - what we call Purpose to Impact - is the single most important developmental task you can undertake as a leader.” Craig and Snook Research has shown that less than 20% of leaders have a...
Continuing Education in the Workplace
We all know that life is a journey of continuous learning and education. But what role does continuing education have to play in the workplace? And what benefits do continuing education bring to employees and employers? First, let’s define our terms. “Continuing...
How Remote Work Can Strengthen Your Team
How Remote Work Can Strengthen Your Team It is hard to believe, but at the time of writing this blog, it has been almost two full years of remote work. That means two full years of worrying about, quantifying, and theorizing the impact of remote work on organizations,...
Why Conflict is Different in a Remote Work Environment – And How to Handle It
Managing conflict is hard enough when everyone is together in person. But, as we all know, interpersonal issues can become exacerbated when people aren’t physically together, and issues are permitted to bubble and grow below the surface.
Story + Goals = Strategic Plan
Story + Goals = Strategic Plan We all know it’s not that simple. But, when you boil it down, a strategic plan is all about tying your organization’s story to your organization’s goals. Let’s unpack that. Strategic plans contain many terms that can be confusing, and...
Michael Kostka
Michael “Mike” Kostka is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenseman who played in the National Hockey League for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Chicago Blackhawks, Tampa Bay Lightning, New York Rangers, and Ottawa Senators. Upon retiring from professional hockey,...
A Guide to Returning from Parental Leave
"A Guide to Returning from Parental Leave” is exactly what I wish I had one month ago, when I returned to work here at MacPhie, a management consulting firm in Toronto. When I returned to work after my first mat leave, I wasn’t so much “returning” to an old job as...
From Strength to Strength: How Diverse Work Backgrounds Make Organizations Better and Stronger
When I graduated with a PhD in English literature, I wasn’t exactly sure what to do next. Sure, I was an expert in British and American literature from 1860-1918 (you can watch a short video about my dissertation here), but what did that mean outside of the walls of...
How to Rebuild Team Trust After Layoffs
In planning for a major restructuring or series of layoffs, it’s essential to think about your remaining team. In this blog post, we share our best tips for rebuilding team trust – and strengthening your team – after layoffs. There is no way around it: layoffs are...
How to Do Great Work from Home
With “social distancing” underway, many people are finding themselves suddenly working from home. This can pose a huge challenge, as people struggle to establish a productive working routine from the comforts of home. I know firsthand how tough working from home can...