Tuesday Morning Focal Point

Yesterday I was with a new client on Vancouver Island for the day, and as usual, I met a whole bunch of great people doing a whole lot of great things that can get good outcomes.  Also as usual however, most people didn’t adequately understand or know what others on the team were doing on…

I could not even begin to count how many times I have heard, when in a coaching session with a leader or a meeting with a senior management team, “I have and open door policy.”  It’s become such a buzz phrase to say this, that it’s almost become meaningless.  It’s kind of like one of…

On Saturday evening I was in Phoenix, Arizona, taking in an AMA (American Motocross Association) Supercross race – the best riders in the world competing against each other.  During the day we hung out in the pits, and I primarily visited with a pro rider who is a friend of mine, and another friend who…

Last evening I received a very encouraging text from a colleague and friend of mine, which was his follow up to my challenge to him, to book his vacation for the coming year, right now.  This particular colleague tends not take action swiftly on ideas, and so I had prodded him just several days earlier. …

On Sunday I was enjoying one of my last few days on our Christmas vacation in a favorite tropical vacation spot.  Sunday happened to be a day when a lot of vacationers here were juggling their desire to lounge around the pool in the sun, with the desire to check in on the NFL football…

Last week I was contacted by an existing client about a new contract for next year.  It’s not a renewal of my usual coaching and consulting services, but rather a request for a new deliverable, establishing a multi-year business plan to achieve something they want to achieve.  Yet, the contract they want me to take…

Last week I spent some time with a new client where my deliverable is to work with the senior leadership team of approximately 16 including the CEO, to support a Culture Mapping process and help create alignment.  Our first day together was exciting and energizing, as we used “story telling” to elicit from each person’s…

Recently I was in San Diego for a few days of business.  By far the most memorable business conversation was with an entrepreneur who has had many years of success in his business.  Our conversation though, focused on a time period of the last two years during which he has been trying to “resurrect” his…

Last week near my home town in British Columbia there was a horrible tragedy in Abbotsford, BC as two high school students were stabbed at random by a 21-year-old male.  One of the victims has now died in hospital.  We now have authorities scrambling for details and two families in crisis as they try to…

A few weeks ago I spent several days working with a private ambulance company on the Canadian prairies.  This company, which has been in business for about 40 years, has an impressive commitment to continuous quality improvement and improving outcomes and efficiencies.  During my time there, one of the senior leaders gave me a tour…