Stop Doing Dumb Sh!t
When we keep doing dumb stuff we can only reasonably expect to keep getting bad results! Here’s 15 dumb things to stop doing today – and what to try instead. What would you add? […]
The Challenge of Change
When I brought my usual brand of laundry detergent home and went to place it on the shelf… it wouldn’t fit. Perplexed, I inspected the bottle and compared it to the nearly empty one it was scheduled to replace. The brand was the same, the volume was the same, it even had the same fresh scent, but for some reason, the cap design had changed. This bottle had a taller cap than its predecessor. I couldn’t see a benefit to [...]
Try approaching diversity like you would safety
When I work with organizations – especially in the energy sector – it’s clear that safety is a priority and there are systems and mechanisms in place to ensure that things happen in a safe way. And when things aren’t happening as they should be, a safety dashboard provides a transparent and simple way to flag issues. It works because the business depends on it – and, of course, it is the right thing to do. […]
Putting purpose to work
Ten years into my career with oilfield services giant Schlumberger, I had a series of pivotal moments that were to change my life. One of these moments was a trip to the continent of Africa that completely changed the way I viewed myself, my responsibilities, and my capabilities. Combined with other significant events in my life in 2005 – including achieving my PMP certification and the confidence that came with the credential – it was clear I had found my [...]
Being Yourself Is Being A Champion
I am often asked by clients – leaders and executives – what their advocacy should look like. They want to know what it will look like for them to be a champion. The answer is… another question. What does it look like for you to be you? […]
Mentoring Matters
Not all heroes and sheroes fly, most simply provide mentorship to those around them. This benefit to humanity doesn’t sound like a superpower but, to those who are being mentored, it is the equivalent of an out-of-this-world force, empowering them to excel even through challenges. […]
The 3 B’s of Inclusive Leadership: Beliefs, Biases and Behaviors
We show up to work as our 'whole selves' and, in many ways, this is a good thing. Authenticity is important to well-being and pretending to be someone you’re not is an emotional drain. But with that also comes the challenge of respecting - and actively seeking out - those who are different from us. This is what it means to practice inclusive leadership - creating a space where different views, perspectives, and experiences are embraced. Within us lies the [...]
An Important Letter for Racial Reconciliation
The events of this summer have moved me to my core. So I did what I do, I reached for my pen. Here’s an excerpt from my new book collaboration A Collective Breath. Dear White Christians, I love you, and God loves you; but He needs you to understand some things. I need you to understand some things: 1. It is not (insert the name of a Black person you know)’s responsibility to educate you on the history of [...]
Delegation Done Right
As a project manager, I have found delegation to be one of the most valuable tools in my toolbox, but it is one that I have seen often misused. Why is it misused? Well, quite simply because often times people don't understand the difference between true delegation and just telling someone to do something. Anyone can tell someone to do something, especially the "bossy" people, but can you properly delegate a task to someone? We'll take a pen for instance, [...]