Vera Asanin

Much of our world as we know it is changing. You have to keep up or fall behind - it's your choice.

22.February.2021

What I Think: Leading From Bed

A good night’s sleep is more than a tagline in a TV ad. It’s the path to good leadership and happier employees.

28.December.2020

What I Think: No Action Plan Required

Stumped, flummoxed, puzzled, confused — all relevant and relatable words in my current state. Except I had no idea why I was feeling this way.

9.November.2020

What I Think: The Bigger Picture

By arranging the pieces necessary to meet the challenges of the new workplace, greater opportunity will come into focus

31.August.2020

What I Think: Step into My Office

Never did I believe we would move away from the Canadian fixation on talking about the weather. Our standard conversational greeting — “Hey, how are you? How’s the weather?”

27.July.2020

What I Think: The Times They Are A-Changin’

People say they like change, but they don’t. Most people like routine, organization and to know they have some form of control over their lives.

25.March.2020

What I Think: Follow the Leader?

It was Rob Elkington, President and CEO of Global leadership Initiatives Inc., who inspired me to shift perspective.

20.January.2020

What I Think: An Incomplete Truth

Recently I had the pleasure of visiting two workplaces in Toronto, both of whom have significantly changed their physical work environments: Sun Life Financial’s new office building on York Street and Scotiabank’s new ecosystems design on Yonge Street.

6.January.2020

What I Think: When Cities Lead the Charge for Inclusion

Although it may not be well known, I have never hidden the fact that I am not a big social person. I would rather hunker down at my desk doing work or head home to do “stuff” than go out and connect with people.

23.September.2019

What I Think: Come Together

As I sat down in the chair waiting for my appointment to begin, my hairstylist recounted the time he participated in the Gay Pride parade, in our hometown,

8.April.2019

What I Think: You Will Be Heard

Coaching, Leadership, Managing, Work Culture

15.January.2019

What I Think: New Beginnings, Every Day

Leadership, Productivity, Wellness

18.December.2018

What I Think: Celebrating our 20th Anniversary!

Coaching, Leadership, Managing, News, Work Culture, Wellness

What a ride it's been.

12.December.2018

What I Think: What I Did on My Summer Vacation—I Unplugged

Leadership, Wellness, Work-Life Balance

The way we work is changing, and while it is exciting to experience these changes, workloads continue to increase, placing even more pressure on workers.

6.November.2018

What I Think: Work-Life Balance Is Obsolete

Employee Engagement, Leadership, Wellness

For years, Your Workplace has touted the importance of work-life balance. We even made it part of our corporate values statement. If balancing work on the one hand

8.October.2018

What I Think: The Power of Giving Thanks

By showing appreciation and giving thanks at work, we boost performance, increase engagement and make ourselves feel good in the process.

2.October.2018

What I Think: Multi-Tasking: Is it Good for our Psyche?

Work Culture, Work-Life Balance

The case for focussing on one thing at a time.

1.November.2016

What I Think: Where Complacency Rules

Leadership, Work Culture

The Wells Fargo scandal shows how complacency leads to a toxic culture.

5.August.2014

What I Think: A Lesson Learned from my Mother-in-Law

How an 86-year old woman made me rethink the concept of work culture.

16.June.2014

What I Think: Ordinary Jobs…

Employee Engagement, Work Culture, Productivity, Work-Life Balance

As I ponder the idea of loving your job, I feel compelled to compare it to loving others in general.

21.May.2013

What I Think: Culture Touchstones

Employee Engagement, Work Culture, Work-Life Balance

Learn from the core lessons of culture found inside your home.

28.April.2013

What I Think: Coach To Win

Coaching, Leadership, Managing

2.January.2013

What I Think: Illusory Gains

Employee Engagement, Leadership, Work-Life Balance

1.September.2012

What I Think: Measure the Intangible

Employee Engagement, Work Culture, Productivity, Wellness

We need to turn the idea of performance measurement on its head.

3.August.2012

What I Think: Followership

4.January.2012

What I Think: Be Well For You

Wellness, Work-Life Balance

One of the television shows that I like to watch is NBC’s Biggest Loser. I find it inspiring to watch people who have lost control of at least one aspect of their life,

5.November.2011

What I Think: Emotions—Do They Work For You?

Leadership, Managing

“Get it together” my colleague said to me. “Wipe your eyes and pretend nothing happened. You know you shouldn’t be upset at work.” Although I do not recall the situation

8.October.2011

What I Think: The “Imperfect” Employee

Managing, Work Culture

While I was in a grocery store I overheard a father say to his young son, “You are perfect just the way you are”. For a moment I thought he was talking to me.

8.September.2011

What I Think: Changing Thoughts and Behaviour, One Page at a Time

I started doing something new. Well, it’s not actually new to me, it just feels like I am going to see results this time. Have you ever started a journal and actually wanted to continue writing in it?

9.May.2011

What I Think: Svetlana’s Story

Leadership, Work Culture, Work-Life Balance

This year I really enjoyed the awards ceremony where Your Workplace delivers recognition to worthy companies by presenting the Top Workplaces

10.January.2011

What I Think: Our Stuff Is Meaningful

This is difficult … writing about something that I wished never happened. I am smart enough to know that not talking about it doesn’t mean it never occurred. Yet avoidance feels better,

11.December.2010

What I Think: The Turtle Or The Hare

It was 10:21 am. My mind was meandering: first to planned destinations — preparing my shopping list for dinner, updating my to-do list, picking lint from my skirt

15.July.2010

What I Think: Good Intentions Aren’t Enough

Uncategorized

The road to hell is paved with good intentions,” my boss yelled at me over the phone. I don’t remember what I did to cause her wrath that day years ago.

25.May.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.

2.March.2009

What I Think: Clash of Style

Coaching

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

24.December.2008

What I Think: Strengthen Strengths Not Weaknesses

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.

27.August.2008

What I Think: Different Viewpoints

Managing

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,

15.August.2008

What I Think: Whose Loss Is That?

A business acquaintance called me at the office the other day. It was just after 8 a.m. She called to let me know she had been terminated from her job.

14.August.2008

What I Think: Freedom of Choice

CBC called recently. They wanted my reaction to the news that Ontario intends to end the practice of mandatory retirement. My response in a nutshell:

14.August.2008

What I Think: Bill C-45 and the Westray Tragedy

On October 31, Martin Cauchon, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, welcomed the passage of Bill C-45. This legislation, which helps ensure

14.August.2008

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.

28.July.2008

What I Think: Support Each Other

1.June.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.

24.November.2003

What I Think: A Million-Dollar Question

I was kayaking and enjoying the beautiful autumn colours with a friend recently. I was in the moment, fully aware that I would not be able to paddle the lake again until next year.

15.September.2003

What I Think: Be Careful Who You Sleep With

Employee Engagement, Work Culture, Productivity

A harmonious working environment, and true progress to prosperity in your organization requires that we must all work together...

15.September.2003

What I Think: The Intangible Ingredients of a Perfect Cup of Coffee

Imagine the results you could attain if everything you did had the additional ingredients of care and love when preparing it.

15.September.2003

What I Think: Silence …Just the Way I Like It

Productivity, Wellness

The sounds of nature are enough music for me

24.January.2003

What I Think: The Art of Purging

Recently I was asked what I enjoy most about holiday time. Other than the most obvious responses

22.March.2021

What I Think: Coffee Break? More Like Coffee Broken

Much of our world as we know it is changing. You have to keep up or fall behind - it's your choice.

22.February.2021

What I Think: Leading From Bed

A good night’s sleep is more than a tagline in a TV ad. It’s the path to good leadership and happier employees.

28.December.2020

What I Think: No Action Plan Required

Stumped, flummoxed, puzzled, confused — all relevant and relatable words in my current state. Except I had no idea why I was feeling this way.

9.November.2020

What I Think: The Bigger Picture

By arranging the pieces necessary to meet the challenges of the new workplace, greater opportunity will come into focus

31.August.2020

What I Think: Step into My Office

Never did I believe we would move away from the Canadian fixation on talking about the weather. Our standard conversational greeting — “Hey, how are you? How’s the weather?”

27.July.2020

What I Think: The Times They Are A-Changin’

People say they like change, but they don’t. Most people like routine, organization and to know they have some form of control over their lives.

25.March.2020

What I Think: Follow the Leader?

It was Rob Elkington, President and CEO of Global leadership Initiatives Inc., who inspired me to shift perspective.

20.January.2020

What I Think: An Incomplete Truth

6.January.2020

What I Think: When Cities Lead the Charge for Inclusion

23.September.2019

What I Think: Come Together

As I sat down in the chair waiting for my appointment to begin, my hairstylist recounted the time he participated in the Gay Pride parade, in our hometown,

8.April.2019

What I Think: You Will Be Heard

Coaching, Leadership, Managing, Work Culture

15.January.2019

What I Think: New Beginnings, Every Day

Leadership, Productivity, Wellness

18.December.2018

What I Think: Celebrating our 20th Anniversary!

Coaching, Leadership, Managing, News, Work Culture, Wellness

What a ride it's been.

12.December.2018

What I Think: What I Did on My Summer Vacation—I Unplugged

Leadership, Wellness, Work-Life Balance

The way we work is changing, and while it is exciting to experience these changes, workloads continue to increase, placing even more pressure on workers.

6.November.2018

What I Think: Work-Life Balance Is Obsolete

Employee Engagement, Leadership, Wellness

For years, Your Workplace has touted the importance of work-life balance. We even made it part of our corporate values statement. If balancing work on the one hand

8.October.2018

What I Think: The Power of Giving Thanks

By showing appreciation and giving thanks at work, we boost performance, increase engagement and make ourselves feel good in the process.

2.October.2018

What I Think: Multi-Tasking: Is it Good for our Psyche?

Work Culture, Work-Life Balance

The case for focussing on one thing at a time.

1.November.2016

What I Think: Where Complacency Rules

Leadership, Work Culture

The Wells Fargo scandal shows how complacency leads to a toxic culture.

5.August.2014

What I Think: A Lesson Learned from my Mother-in-Law

How an 86-year old woman made me rethink the concept of work culture.

16.June.2014

What I Think: Ordinary Jobs…

Employee Engagement, Work Culture, Productivity, Work-Life Balance

As I ponder the idea of loving your job, I feel compelled to compare it to loving others in general.

21.May.2013

What I Think: Culture Touchstones

Employee Engagement, Work Culture, Work-Life Balance

Learn from the core lessons of culture found inside your home.

28.April.2013

What I Think: Coach To Win

Coaching, Leadership, Managing

2.January.2013

What I Think: Illusory Gains

Employee Engagement, Leadership, Work-Life Balance

1.September.2012

What I Think: Measure the Intangible

Employee Engagement, Work Culture, Productivity, Wellness

We need to turn the idea of performance measurement on its head.

3.August.2012

What I Think: Followership

4.January.2012

What I Think: Be Well For You

Wellness, Work-Life Balance

One of the television shows that I like to watch is NBC’s Biggest Loser. I find it inspiring to watch people who have lost control of at least one aspect of their life,

5.November.2011

What I Think: Emotions—Do They Work For You?

Leadership, Managing

“Get it together” my colleague said to me. “Wipe your eyes and pretend nothing happened. You know you shouldn’t be upset at work.” Although I do not recall the situation

8.October.2011

What I Think: The “Imperfect” Employee

Managing, Work Culture

While I was in a grocery store I overheard a father say to his young son, “You are perfect just the way you are”. For a moment I thought he was talking to me.

8.September.2011

What I Think: Changing Thoughts and Behaviour, One Page at a Time

9.May.2011

What I Think: Svetlana’s Story

Leadership, Work Culture, Work-Life Balance

This year I really enjoyed the awards ceremony where Your Workplace delivers recognition to worthy companies by presenting the Top Workplaces

10.January.2011

What I Think: Our Stuff Is Meaningful

This is difficult … writing about something that I wished never happened. I am smart enough to know that not talking about it doesn’t mean it never occurred. Yet avoidance feels better,

11.December.2010

What I Think: The Turtle Or The Hare

It was 10:21 am. My mind was meandering: first to planned destinations — preparing my shopping list for dinner, updating my to-do list, picking lint from my skirt

15.July.2010

What I Think: Good Intentions Aren’t Enough

Uncategorized

The road to hell is paved with good intentions,” my boss yelled at me over the phone. I don’t remember what I did to cause her wrath that day years ago.

25.May.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.

2.March.2009

What I Think: Clash of Style

Coaching

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

24.December.2008

What I Think: Strengthen Strengths Not Weaknesses

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.

27.August.2008

What I Think: Different Viewpoints

Managing

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,

15.August.2008

What I Think: Whose Loss Is That?

A business acquaintance called me at the office the other day. It was just after 8 a.m. She called to let me know she had been terminated from her job.

14.August.2008

What I Think: Freedom of Choice

CBC called recently. They wanted my reaction to the news that Ontario intends to end the practice of mandatory retirement. My response in a nutshell:

14.August.2008

What I Think: Bill C-45 and the Westray Tragedy

On October 31, Martin Cauchon, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, welcomed the passage of Bill C-45. This legislation, which helps ensure

14.August.2008

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.

28.July.2008

What I Think: Support Each Other

1.June.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.

24.November.2003

What I Think: A Million-Dollar Question