Between 2009 and 2014, I joined Toastmasters—much to the bewilderment of everyone who knew me well. After all, my employers had already invested thousands in speechwriters, presence coaches, and confidence boosters. I was accustomed to inspiring audiences of up to 1,000 people and had been leading teams of all sizes since I was 25. […]
Sometimes the best tools come into our lives exactly when we need them most. Ten years ago, my world changed in an instant. A brain injury scrambled the part of my mind that had always made writing feel as natural as breathing. Since I was five years old, words had been my friends. Throughout my […]
I’m writing to you from an unexpected classroom. The physical therapy clinic where I’ve spent most of July recovering from hand surgery. What started as a necessary step toward regaining full mobility has become one of the most profound learning experiences, and I couldn’t wait to share these insights with you. It all began with […]
I want to tell you about my friend Janice. She runs a small bakery, and for years, everyone told her she was doing it wrong. “You need to focus on wedding cakes,” said one expert. “Cupcakes are where the money is,” said another. “You should go online and ship nationwide,” said a third. Janice […]
Let’s talk about something we all do. You know, the one where we beat ourselves up for things that weren’t really our fault. You know that sinking feeling when something doesn’t work out as planned? That immediate rush to figure out what you did wrong, how you messed up, and why you should have […]
There’s been a horrible sexual assault/sexual consent trial happening here in my country. Five young guys beginning their careers in the minor hockey leagues. Each with their own lawyer. Lots of alcohol and admissible and inadmissible detailed texts between the boys. One young woman. A police department trying to make up for a shoddy first […]
This is a little story about courage, trust, and the magic that happens when we drop our masks. Three months ago, I invested a few thousand dollars in someone’s quest. Three weeks ago — perhaps foolishly — I sent the creator some unsolicited feedback on how to make her offering more customer-focused. This week, she […]
Last weekend was the “May Two-Four” weekend in Canada—our unofficial start of summer and usually a big celebration. But mine began with a 13-hour wait in the Emergency Department. (Don’t worry—I’m fine, and my husband, as of this morning, while still in the hospital, is recovering well.) Sure, I grumbled about wasting my precious […]
I’ve been thinking about mirrors lately. Not the kind that show us whether our hair is cooperating or if we have spinach in our teeth, but the invisible ones we encounter every day — those moments when life holds up a reflection of who we really are, like when we’re faced with a difficult decision, […]
I am thrilled this month to have two guests on the podcast talking about making sustainability changes in business. I am thrilled because they use a term we in business are well-versed in: Change Management. In the pristine world of business literature, change management appears as a sleek, orderly process with neat flowcharts and predictable […]