The Birth of a Strategic Plan: A Nine-Month Journey
In any organization, whether a small business or a significant regulatory body, the ability to adapt to change and plan for the future is essential. As a leader, you understand that a compelling strategic plan is more than just a document—it’s a dynamic roadmap. I’m eager to share my experience developing the College of Alberta Dental Assistants (CADA) Strategic Plan 2025-2030 and the invaluable lessons I’ve learned from this nine-month journey. Lesson 1: Go Beyond
Beyond Imposter Syndrome: The 50% Rule and The Traps of New Leadership
The legendary poet and activist Maya Angelou once said about herself, “I have written 11 books, but each time I think, ‘Uh-oh, they’re going to find out now. ‘” I’ve run a game on everybody, and they’ll find me out.” Are you faking it until you make it? Can you move past the imposter syndrome to the following levels of personal confidence and, thereby, the next level of leadership competencies? You need to understand a few inalienable
Forget the Dashboard: Why Your Team Needs an Old Approach, Not a New Tool
My Client Caroline, a project manager, faced a familiar scene of chaos and missed deadlines. Her first instinct was to seek a “shiny new tool” to solve her problems, believing the right software would instantly eliminate the chaos. This reflects a common misconception in management—the idea that technology can fix core human and process issues. As Don Kieffer and Nelson Repenning point out in their book “THERE’S GOT TO BE A BETTER WAY”, this approach
Hear Steve tell the story of managing his worst project … EVER!
I want to take you behind the scenes for a story that truly embodies the challenges (and eventual triumphs!) of leadership. We all face those projects that test our limits, push our boundaries, and make us question everything. I’ve had my share, but there’s one that stands out as my absolute worst project… EVER! It was a chaotic, high-stakes situation that taught me invaluable lessons about resilience, problem-solving, and leading through the most challenging times.
From Breakdown to Breakthrough – How Steve Helped Rebuild a School’s Culture and a Leader’s Confidence
Client: Diana Stinn, Co-Founder of a pioneering Alberta-based school Diana Stinn had spent two decades building a school from the ground up—leading with vision, heart, and grit. But 20 years in, that legacy was at risk. Trust within the team had unravelled. The culture had turned toxic. And Diana, once a confident leader, was questioning everything. “It got to the point where I didn’t want to walk through the front doors. That’s how bad it
Driving Connection – How Steve Helped Unite a Scattered, Diverse Team: A CASE STUDY
CASE STUDY: Driving Connection – How Steve Helped Unite a Scattered, Diverse Team Client: Sheri Kortgaard, Owner of a specialized funeral transport company across Alberta and Saskatchewan Learn More about Sheri & Platinum Transfer A Growing Business, A Fractured Team Sheri Kortgaard runs a company with a uniquely human mission – transporting deceased loved ones with dignity and care. But with six locations across two provinces and a workforce spanning diverse generations, cultures, and motivations,
Beyond Command & Control: How Vulnerability Unlocks Your Team’s True Potential
Last week, we explored the leadership lessons developed amid the heat and uncertainty of this year’s wildfire season—understanding the entire playing board, leading with humanity, and communicating with candour. These principles are universal in any crisis, which is why they prompted me to reflect on the lessons I have gained from other seasoned leadership mentors who shared profound insights with me. Their experiences and the principles they championed resonate deeply with the challenges many organizations
Fathers Day, The Hardy Boys and a First Leadership Lesson
I have made many mistakes. Some of them were pretty spectacular. While formal training, my master’s degree, and supplementary reading have taught me the theory of leadership, my mistakes have taught me more than I care to admit. My first leadership lesson occurred when I was not much more than six or seven years old. I was a voracious reader, devouring comics, magazines, and books about superheroes, as well as war stories. The best of
Lead Through the Fire: 3 Core Principles for Crisis Leadership
With another forest fire season upon us here in Alberta, I’m reminded of the immense pressures and challenges that come with managing large-scale, complex crises. My career has taken me from the frontlines of military operations to the heart of global humanitarian responses, including coordinating disaster relief for major wildfires and floods right here in Canada. In these moments, leadership is tested in its most extreme forms. Through it all, I’ve learned some hard-earned lessons
Unlock Understanding: 5 Questions to Navigate Strong Disagreements
In a world of increasingly polarized opinions, truly understanding someone with whom you strongly disagree can feel like an impossible task. But what if the key lies not in arguing harder but in asking smarter? Research by Philip Fernbach (https://www.philipfernbach.com/) offers a fascinating insight, particularly around what he calls the “illusion of explanatory depth”: people often overestimate their understanding of complex issues. This overestimation can be a barrier; however, it also presents an opportunity for
7 Check Up Questions To Diagnose Your Team
It’s straightforward to be on a sports Team. You know your position, what is expected, and who’s with you and who’s against you. The rules are clear. In organizations, things are more ambiguous. Often, you’re not entirely clear about your role, the expectations placed on you, the expectations of others, the rules, and what success looks like. Let me offer a model to check the health of your Team and make things clear. Each section
Leading Through the Unpredictable: Embracing Courage in a Time of Change
We live in a world where the illusion of absolute control has been shattered. For too long, we have believed that our systems can predict and manage every crisis perfectly, swiftly restoring stability. Yet reality often proves otherwise, exposing large and small institutions to the harsh light of perceived failure. Regardless of its fairness, this perception reshapes our world. Reacting to immediate pressures and dwelling on past missteps will only hinder our ability to move
More Than Just Survival: Why Any Business, Regardless of Size, Needs a Strategic Plan
Many small business owners are immersed in a daily hustle—managing operations, serving customers, and putting out fires. The idea of stepping back to create a formal “strategic plan” might seem like a luxury reserved for large corporations with dedicated planning departments. However, neglecting strategic planning is a missed opportunity that can hinder growth and resilience. A well-thought-out strategic plan isn’t just paperwork but a vital roadmap for success, regardless of your company’s size. Here’s why
The Unintended Compass: When Leadership Values Emerge by Accident
We often perceive leadership values as thoughtfully crafted principles outlined in mission statements and reinforced through formal training. What happens when these values are unintentionally shaped by circumstance, habit, or oversight? “Accidental leadership values” are those unspoken norms that guide behaviour, often without conscious awareness, and can significantly impact an organization’s culture. These values are not necessarily negative; they can reflect positive adaptations to unique situations. Consider a Team facing a crisis: they might develop
Are You ‘Off Message’? How Misaligned Communication Kills Execution
Based on Team of teams: New rules of engagement for a complex world*. Portfolio/Penguin. Seriously, we’re drowning in noise. Everywhere you look, someone is shouting a message at you, and as leaders, we’re supposed to cut through that noise. The problem is that most of us try to do it by following a pre-approved, focus-grouped script. That’s a big mistake; that stuff sounds completely fake. Think about it. When was the last time some boardroom-crafted
Closing the Accountability Gap: Practical Steps for Real Results
Throughout countless client conversations, a glaring issue persists: the lack of accountability. Missed deadlines and broken commitments are not merely individual slip-ups but a systemic problem undermining Team performance. To fix this, we need a clear, actionable plan. Read about a 14-billion dollar accountability problem Step 1: Create a Safe Space for Honest Dialogue Action: Schedule private Team meetings, not public reprimands. Why: Build trust and encourage open discussion. Action: Set ground rules: respectful communication,
What is worse than being a boss? Being a bridesmaid – 3 Leadership Hacks
A recent Google SEO search found that the only phrase searched for more often than ‘I hate being a boss’ is ‘I hate being a bridesmaid.’ My perspective on the latter is limited, but as a many-time usher and best man, I hated renting that ill-fitting, used suit. Likely, as much as ladies hate to buy that poufy dress, they will only wear it once. I surveyed clients to find out what they hated about
Embracing the Unknown: Navigating Difficult Conversations
Let’s face it: Most of us don’t relish the thought of difficult conversations. They can be uncomfortable, stressful, and sometimes downright awkward. But as leaders, we can’t afford to shy away from them. They’re crucial for building trust, resolving conflict, and fostering a healthy work environment (Stone, Patton, & Heen, 2010). What Makes a Conversation “Difficult”? Read more about using silence in conversations For our purposes, a difficult conversation is any situation where: The stakes
How Do You Want People to View Your Advice?
Advice. As leaders, we give quite a bit of it—so much that we probably don’t think that much about it. We need to think much more about it. We need to consider it in three dimensions: why we are delivering it, how we are delivering it, and what we want people to do with it. Let’s look at each dimension. Why Are You Giving Advice? I believe that whether we are thinking about it or
The Indispensable Chain: Leadership Lessons from the Front Lines of Disaster Response
My recent conversation with Bryndis Whitson on the Zebras to Apples podcast offered a chance to reflect on my experiences in disaster response and the leadership lessons I’ve learned along the way. While our discussion focused on the logistics of emergency preparedness, the insights we shared have broader implications for leadership in any context. One key takeaway for me is the critical importance of understanding the systems and processes you’re responsible for leading. My experience
Global Leadership Forecast 2025 – Why would anyone aspire to lead in today’s environment?
DDI, or Development Dimensions International, is a global leadership development consultancy. Founded in 1970, DDI partners I find to be thoughtful and a great resource to leaders who are interested in the BIG picture DDI’s Global Leadership Forecast 2025 delivers critical insights into today’s top leadership challenges, including bench strength, trust, and CEOs’ top concerns. In it, they note that the weight of leadership has never been heavier. In a world of constant disruption, from
6 Questions To Bring Clarity to Your First Team!
I have worked with dozens of companies and organizations, addressing team and organizational challenges. I am always surprised that most leadership teams have no idea who their ‘First Team’ is. The ‘First Team‘—best articulated by Patrick Lencioni—is the idea that true leaders prioritize supporting their fellow leaders over their direct reports. They are more responsible to their peers than their individual or “Second” teams. One of the first areas I address in our client consulting
In 2025, Break Routine and Unleash Creativity to Fuel Innovation
Innovation is the lifeblood of success. Organizations that can adapt, embrace change, and foster creativity are poised to thrive. Yet, amidst the demands of day-to-day operations, many organizations are stuck in a routine cycle, clinging to familiar practices and struggling to break free from the shackles of repetition. So, why do some leaders, despite voicing support for innovation, shy away from it in practice? This is not limited to the entry-level or the boardroom, but
Lessons From The Buddha … Ask ‘Why’ 5 Times
The Buddha’s Upajjhatthana Sutta discourse explains that contemplating five facts can help weaken or overcome conceit, lust, and irresponsibility. The discourse suggests that contemplating these facts can help cultivate the Noble Eightfold Path. We can take the lesson of the five facts from spiritual quests and apply it to our day-to-day leadership and management activities. Quite frankly, we spend a lot of our day solving problems. So, turn the five Facts into the five Whys. The 5