Recent Blog Entries: "What I Think"

February 12, 2010 -- With this Employment Contract I Thee Wed

Recently I had the honour of being the emcee (master of ceremonies) at a friend’s wedding. Although I am very familiar with speaking in public, I have never had this role before. I began with some trepidation—usually I speak in front of strangers and I am very comfortable with that. However, with this event I was amongst friends and I particularly wanted to do a great job for my friend, Anita. So I was nervous. But that quickly vanished and I had a blast! It all started with me accidentally introducing myself as their mistress of the evening! It could only go uphill from there.

November 17, 2009 -- Silence ...Just the Way I Like It

To play music or not to play music? That is the question.

September 21, 2009 -- Multi-tasking–is it Good for our Psyche?

I arrived home to the delightful aroma of dinner. My beloved met me at the door with a cheerful greeting and the welcoming words, “I’m making dinner tonight.” I knew the smile upon my face conveyed my gratitude to him. I relaxed in my cozy home and watched him move about the kitchen, at which point I reflected upon my dinner preparations the evening before.

August 6, 2009 -- Positive Culture Breeds Success

I was saddened when I heard that a landmark store in downtown Kingston, Ontario was closing. S&R Department Store employs 80 people, is located close to Lake Ontario in a four-storey building built in 1820 with 60,000 square feet of space, and has been in the retail business since 1959.

May 1, 2009 -- What I Think: Taking Notice

A compliment for work well done, a note of thanks, a well-earned perk—all of these sweeten the work experience and motivate us to excel. It’s a simple act—paying attention to the good things people do. Workers thrive on a steady diet of recognition and reward. Top managers know this and are quick to take notice consistently and publicly of the meritorious contributions of their employees.

January 1, 2009 -- What I Think: Clash of Style

Sometimes it seems that we believe that the role of managing people is far more difficult than it needs to be. Recently, I received confirmation that a management style comprised simply of honesty, positive reinforcement, mentoring and early intervention is wholly appreciated.

November 1, 2008 -- What I Think: Strengthen Strengths

The memory is still vivid for me. I walked into my boss’s office for my performance appraisal. I was ready for the discussion, because I knew I had really performed well. The outcome of my evaluation was not certain in my eyes, but I was looking forward to the praise and recognition I justly deserved, especially from my manager who was usually silent in this regard. Instead, I was shocked with how the meeting actually unfolded.

September 1, 2008 -- What I Think: Showing Genuine Interest

When I travel, it is always with the hope of “getting away.” But travelling inevitably involves contact with other people’s workplaces, and so my antennae are attentive to the health of that workplace, and the working relationship of that management and the staff. That said, my summer holidays were truly awesome–I witnessed scenery so majestic that I felt greater than life itself. My beloved and I took a cruise up the Inside Passage from Vancouver to Alaska. The trip was magnificent and the people we met were marvellous.

July 1, 2008 -- What I Think: Different Viewpoints

I enjoy the summer for lots of reasons, particularly because I make the effort to reconnect with girl friends and sports. It is always fun–full of stories, lies, and half-truths that are meant to cause laughter and exaggerated histrionics, which totally clarifies why our families disown us when we’re together.

May 1, 2008 -- What I Think: Let Go

Jill starts work later than everyone else because she can’t drop off her children to her childcare provider and still get to work at 8:30 am. Bob, the consummate environmentalist, is usually at work at 8:20 am, except if the bus is early and he misses it, or it runs late. He’s never arrived later than 9:20 am, though. Patrick has to leave work for a couple of hours at least once a week to assist his elder mother with her medical appointments.

March 1, 2008 -- What I Think: Share the Road

It was 5:45 am. I was enjoying my morning pot of herbal tea while reading a book when I heard the unmistakable sound and I knew that my morning was going to be eventful.

January 1, 2008 -- What I think: No One Belongs in a Box

When I was growing up there were only two generations as far as I was concerned: the younger generation and the older generation. That’s it. And this was not that long ago.

November 1, 2007 -- What I Think: Make the Call

Hiding behind the veil of “busyness” is a transparent excuse when it comes to returning phone calls. I find that waiting for callbacks or responses to requests is one of the most frustrating aspects of work. This is especially true if you need the response before you can proceed with the next component of your work. Are we so busy that basic respect for others is forgotten? I don’t think so.

October 1, 2007 -- What I Think: Support Each Other

I was driving behind a vehicle bearing the “Support Our Troops” message when I began to wonder why we support military workers and not others. I understand that this campaign is politically rooted with the Canadian presence in Afghanistan. I also understand that some Canadian soldiers have lost their lives there, and I am saddened about this. Still, the obvious visible symbolism of supporting a worker in one industry and not another irks me.

August 1, 2007 -- What I Think: Go Easy

The temperature was hot in the office and the air-conditioning was on. I wish it was the weather that was causing me concern.

June 1, 2007 -- What I Think: A Leader to Follow

In my last column about personal growth and how it fits into our workplaces today, I promised to look at whether the leadership of today is in sync with a more intuitive, spiritual way of being.

April 1, 2007 -- What I Think: The Ripple Effect

I was at a conference recently and had the pleasure of joining a discussion with a new group of friends. Although nothing unusual was said, the conversation made me realize how much the human race has grown and developed as a group.

March 1, 2007 -- What I think: The Art of Letting Go

One of the most amazing experiences happened to me about three months ago. I continue to feel blessed for acting out of character. Yes, it is true. A great gift came to me because I was not being me. And I still laugh at the irony of it all. So I have been trying to figure out what I did right so I can do it some more. I have always believed that if you want something to turn out the “right” way, you have to control the process. It doesn’t matter if I do it, delegate it or hire someone. The bottom line is that I am in control.

January 1, 2006 -- What I Think: New Beginnings

I enjoy new beginnings. They are a fresh start, a clean slate, an unmarked expanse awaiting design. New beginnings are even more stimulating when accompanied by the colour of white symbolizing purity, freshness and cleanliness. Unfortunately the occasion of enjoying a new beginning is not often celebrated outside the annual event of the New Year.

January 1, 2004 -- What I Think: Making Change, One Goal at a Time

I am of two minds when it comes to making personal changes in life: Don’t do it because it's too painful; do it because change will ultimately benefit you. Mmmm. Sounds like fence-sitting to me.