Dealing with a Passive Aggressive Personality
Introduction Perhaps this incident is one you can relate to first-hand. You go into your office, and greet your Assistant Manager with a warm “Hi. How was your evening?”. He [...]
Maybe your E-mails Aren’t the Real Problem
Introduction If I had dollars for the number of times people have complained about not being able to keep up with, read and act upon e-mails they received, I would [...]
It Starts with Self-Awareness
Introduction One of the things I typically ask when I meet with a new client for the first time is to invite them to describe themselves using ten adjectives. The [...]
Negotiating with a Bully
Introduction Negotiating with a bully is never easy. President Trump has been in office just over a month and already, many of us a reeling from the dizzying array of [...]
Learning to Pivot in an Age of Uncertainty
Introduction On January 20th I was glued to my television watching the inauguration of U.S. President Donald Trump. As I watched the proceedings, and later, as I observed him signing [...]
Ask Good Questions and Get Better Answers
Introduction Picture this: you have secured an interview for your dream job. You researched the organization well, including those with whom you will be interviewing. You have reviewed the job [...]
When Loyalty Trumps Competence
Introduction Like many people around the world, I woke up on the morning of Wednesday November 6th to the startling news that Donald Trump had been elected President of the [...]
Working From Home….While Shopping or Playing with the Kids
Introduction Life since the pandemic has changed in many ways. One major adjustment has been the blurring of lines between work and leisure. For many, work days are longer. For [...]
A Little Humour Goes a Long Way
Introduction Everyone today seems so serious. I’ve noticed that, particularly since the pandemic, people have forgotten to laugh and smile. People are on edge, and everyone seems afraid to let [...]
Standing Out in your Job Search
Introduction Hardly a week goes by when I don’t hear someone express their frustration with the lack of progress on their job search. Typical complaints usually centre around three things: [...]
Choose your Successor Carefully
Introduction For those who, like me, are political junkies, this year’s Presidential race in the United States has been both fascinating and tumultuous. The attempted assassination of former President Donald [...]
Giving the Benefit of the Doubt
Introduction Back in late 2021 I wrote an article for my blog about professional associations: https://competitiveedgecoaching.com/professional-associations-are-they-worthwhile/ Those who may have read it, and those who know me personally, recognize that [...]
Why DEI Could Soon Be DOA
Introduction Will Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (“DEI”) soon be confined to the dustbin of history? A recent article in the National Post on Thursday May 8th got me wondering. The [...]
Nice Work If You Can Get It
Introduction A couple of weeks ago I had occasion to watch the Canadian Parliamentary Channel. The President and CEO of Bell Canada, Mirko Bibic, was appearing before a Parliamentary Committee [...]
Dealing with Abrasive Personalities
Introduction Every once in a while I read a book or an article that is so compelling that it takes me aback. Such was the case a few months ago [...]
What Guys Need to Learn from Women
Introduction One of the biggest societal changes that has occurred in the past fifty years has been the enhanced visibility and profile of women. There is no denying that women [...]
Thanks, But I’ll Buy My Own Watch!
Introduction On Saturday mornings I usually play tennis with my friend, Paul. Prior to our match recently we got into a discussion regarding corporate relocations. Paul mentioned that a colleague [...]
If You Don’t Ask You Won’t Get
Introduction Next to recruitment and performance reviews there is probably no aspect of Human Resources that is more badly managed than the annual career planning discussion with employees. Assuming that [...]
A World with Fewer Options and Fewer Choices
Introduction The onset of the COVID pandemic in March 2020 brought about a number of changes in all our lives. The biggest by far were the supply chain issues. Inventory [...]
What About the Men?
Introduction One of the biggest socio-cultural changes over the past fifty years has been the ascendancy of women in society. I’ve noticed this particularly in education. When I first started [...]
Stop Kissing Frogs!
Introduction “Stop kissing frogs”. That phrase emerged a while back as a graphic reminder for people to have the courage to walk away from ideas, actions, relationships, people or situations [...]
Do Good Gardeners Make Good Managers?
Introduction I live in an older, established neighbourhood in which there are a number of beautiful properties. Most of these gardens didn’t get that way by accident. They are the [...]
A Liberal Arts Degree Still Has Relevance
Introduction What is the best preparation for someone aspiring to a business career? If I had dollars for the number of times in my life I have heard this question [...]
Context Is Everything
Introduction One of the issues many of my clients struggle with is how to create engagement and commitment amongst their team. Many of them are newly promoted to team lead [...]
Superstars vs. Consistent Performers
Introduction For those who are fans of the Toronto Maple Leafs the 2022-23 Stanley Cup playoffs represent yet another year of high expectations and disappointing results. This year was supposed [...]