Culture in the Cold and Damp: What a Toronto Parking Garage Taught Me About Leadership
We’ve all received them. The automated, well-intentioned, slightly sterile “Customer Satisfaction” email that lands in our inbox the moment we
Don’t Be Satisfied After Your Thanksgiving Turkey … Take The 7 Step Leadership Checkup
Robert Hartley was head coach of the Calgary Flames (2012-16). A rookie member of the Flames had a great game
What Got You Here Won’t Get You There: Shifting from Tactical Doer to Strategic Leader
Just a few weeks ago, I sat across from a seasoned operations leader who was gearing up for a fiercely
Defying the Trajectory – Your Starting Point Is Not Your Horizon
If you had reviewed my high school academic record, “future speaker or leadership consultant” would not have appeared on the
The Delegation Trap: Why Capable Leaders Struggle to Let Go (And How to Fix It)
When leaders step into higher operational roles, they almost always bring their past success with them. The catch? The very
The Autumn Reset: Turning Leadership Theory into Operational Traction
Every summer, executive teams and boards pause. We read the leadership books, skim the articles on high-performing teams, talk about
The Illusion of AI Competence: Smitten with What’s Written
I recently listened to an episode of The Curiosity Shop podcast in which Brené Brown and Adam Grant introduced a
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
The Unfiltered Reality of the AI Backlash (And How to Lead Through It)
We are officially past the “honeymoon phase” of workplace AI. The slick marketing promises told us these tools would automate
The High Cost of the Veneer: 3 Hidden Traps Tanking Executive Authority
In today’s leadership landscape, we have become masters of the “veneer”. We invest heavily in personal branding, executive presence, and
Character as Your Keel in Times of Crisis
I spent 22 years in the Canadian Army, retiring as a Sergeant Major, and later directed international humanitarian responses to
The Character to Confront the “Small” Wrongs
In the annals of military history and corporate folklore, we often celebrate the “whistleblower”—the individual who stands up to massive
The Tragedy of the Stolen Reputation – Why Character is the Strategic Advantage
The Tragedy of the Stolen Reputation – Why Character is the Strategic Advantage In modern business, we often appoint leaders
The Executive’s Dilemma: Team Loyalty vs. Organizational Success
In my twenty years of leading large-scale operations and advising on public policy, I have consistently observed that a divided
Why Your Team is Failing (and How an Off-Site Fixes It)
Most “team building” activities are a waste of time. We’ve all experienced it: awkward trust falls, forced bowling outings, or
It’s Spring – Stop Practicing, Start Playing: Why Your Leadership Strategy is Stuck in Snow
We all recognize that strong leaders are crucial for executing our business strategies. But let’s be honest: most organizations aren’t
Why Your Leadership Development is Failing the Mission
I see organizations pour millions of dollars into leadership development every year, yet most executives privately admit they aren’t happy
HR & Strategy: The Missing Link in Your Growth Plan
If you asked your HR Director today what the company’s #1 strategic risk for 2026 is, would their answer match
Expert Strategic Planning: Why “Best Practices” Aren’t Enough
Organizational Governance In my work with regulated colleges and professional bodies, I often see leaders rely on generic “best
The Birth of a Strategic Plan: A 9-Month Journey to a 10-Year Vision
Deep Dive Case Study (CADA Project) What does it actually take to build a strategic plan that survives first contact