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Category: Human Resources

Woman leader with hands on either side of her head, looking down, thinking of 4 pitfalls to avoid in leadership
Human Resources

Sage advice from women in leadership & 4 pitfalls to avoid

You’ve been a leader for quite some time, and you’re stepping into a new position or company. Maybe both! The ambitious women I know are actively working on making the most significant impact in their first 3-6 months (maybe longer), but, even the best and brightest are bound to make some of the most common leadership mistakes.   Don’t we

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3 corporate, female talent sitting at a conference table, looking at a lap top
Human Resources

Female talent: 4 ways to attract & retain corporate women

When it comes to career advancement, what are some of the factors your female talent is considering? It might be the position and scope of the role, how much it pays, and the leaders they’ll be working with, yet ultimately, women want to know they’ll be set up for success.   We’ve heard a lot of talk about the importance

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two signs reading old and new habits
Human Resources

3 habits to drop and lead in new ways

If there was any habit you could drop like a hot potato, what would it be and what new habit would you create instead? We all have habits we’ve developed over time that simply don’t serve us, yet we hold onto them because they’re a part of what we do day in, day out like clockwork. The same is true

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Leadership

The new norm in the future of work? Well-being

With remote work becoming more than just a trend, so is corporate well-being in the future of work. Frankly, to me, it’s just – well-being and we need to start thinking about creating work environments that support it. With a global pandemic prompting leaders to happily wave goodbye to old ways of working, we saw many making lifestyle changes that reminded them

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Leadership

Why leaders avoid difficult conversations & 5 ways to get better at them

The art of communication. I wish we had learned more about effective communication in school, especially difficult conversations, the same way so many wish they learned more about financial literacy, emotional intelligence and the importance of well-being.  They’re just so darn important in all areas of life and, especially, in business. One of the most common challenges I partner with

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Human Resources

Are your employees quitting? Here’s how to retain them post-COVID

Is it unfair to assume that employee needs have changed post-pandemic? Likely not. We’ve all been impacted in one way or another despite what that looks like for each of us. The question is, how will these changes impact, organizations moving forward? As organizations look to reimagine their return to the office, talent and employee retention challenges will be amplified.  

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women covering face with hands
Leadership

4 ways leaders can prioritize mental health at work

  Neglecting your mental health is like expecting a plant to grow without water. It’ll eventually die. That’s how important your mind is to the rest of your body. And it’s what often goes unnoticed when working alongside our peers, colleagues and leaders.       Just because we don’t see what someone might be dealing with doesn’t mean all is well.

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Leadership

Three ways to help you lead in a virtual environment

We may be a year into a pandemic yet, leading in a virtual environment is still a struggle many leaders face. Many of us have adjusted to a new way of living and working by now, yet, managing others in a world that is still undergoing tremendous change adds another layer of complexity. The roller coaster of emotions stemming from

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Leadership

Calling authentic leaders in the future of work

It’s what you feel when people are being true to who they are yet, it’s not always easy to see in a leader. Authenticity. During a humanitarian crisis around the globe that continues to unfold, the spotlight has been on leaders. Not in hope that they have all the answers, but instead we looked to those leaders who were leading

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Human Resources

Redefining workplace culture in the future of work

We’ve redefined ways of working and living in the world of COVID challenging our outlook on what the future of work looks like. Workplace culture was suddenly disrupted and brought into question asking, leaders, “How do we continue to flourish in a remote environment?” The changes organizations have made have not only been in response to what’s happening on the global stage

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Leadership

The struggles keeping leaders up & how to solve them

If you thought leadership wasn’t for the faint of heart before the pandemic, you’re right and it’ll only become amplified in 2021 and beyond. It’s the reason why we see some leaders talk the talk but not walk the walk. Well, leadership involves both. It’s not only doing all the things we know to be true about what leadership is

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Human Resources

The HR skills you need in the future of work

We’ve heard a lot about what skills will be in demand in the future of work, and more specifically, post-COVID. At the height of the pandemic, we also saw how HR experienced one of their biggest challenges this year alone. To say they had their plates full is an understatement. From sudden and quick changes to managing new ways of

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Human Resources

How your workplace culture can thrive in a remote environment

If you’ve watched your company culture shift and evolve this year, you’re likely not alone. When people were forced to work from home during the early stages of COVID, the rituals and traditions that bond employees in an organization naturally were put on the backburner. Changes came fast and suddenly while HR and leadership communicated new expectations, safety protocols and new ways

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Human Resources

Predictions for 2021 in the workplace we’ll see in a post-covid world

Every year we make predictions and share new ideas that we expect to see in the year to come. With 2020 teaching us lessons in ways that forever changed the world, we’re bound to see plenty of trends and long-term changes that are here to stay. This year brought to light what needed to change and what should change. More

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Leadership

Career aspirations & ambition don’t need to die in a pandemic

You may have had some of your plans fall through this year because of COVID and, for those whose livelihood depended on crowds and large-scale events, work was reimagined. That said, when the world throws you a curveball, we don’t have to put our ambitions or career aspirations on the backburner. I was catching up with one of my mentors

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Leadership

How to lead through an extended crisis that’s sustainable

I can’t help but think about what’s left of this year. We’re heading into the winter months and for many of us in North America, that means moving into hibernation, more time with those we live under the same roof with, all while working through an extended crisis. Working from home may be something we’re all used to by now

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two people staring down at each other, workplace conflict
Human Resources

How to manage workplace conflict remotely & keep your people

Have you ever heard of the expression, “There’s too many cooks in the kitchen?” At work, we call it workplace conflict. We’ve all experienced some form of workplace conflict, some more than others. Inevitably, as close as we may be with our peers or colleagues, we’re bound to have disagreements even with the best intentions to do and show up

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Human Resources

Why performance reviews fall short & how to make them useful

We’re in the home stretch friends! The end of the year is in plain sight as discussions have begun on what’s next for the year ahead. Before we get to 2021 planning, I can’t help but think of what many organizations will be preparing for first – performance reviews. A conversation leaders and employees should have all year long to

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Human Resources

Uncertain times make upskilling the new priority for executives

In a time of uncertainty and doing business in the unknown, upskilling has jumped a few notches on the scale of priorities. The workforce continues to diversify with multiple generations and in the age of COVID, it’s now illuminated the importance of preparing for the future of work. If there’s anything this pandemic has brought to light, it’s the race

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Human Resources

Is fear prevalent in your culture? The signs you’re missing

During the past several months, we’ve seen how a global pandemic shapeshifted us in how we live and work. So much so, it’s made me wonder how fear has affected workplace cultures that are long overdue for a culture reset. The ones that have little to no pulse (in other words, they’re dead), the heart of it is gone and

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people working together, work relationships
Human Resources

Are your work relationships socially distant? Here’s 5 ways to reconnect

  In the era of COVID, social connection and relationships, in general, have been top of mind for many of us. The ways we connect have shifted and evolved from our work relationships to our friendships (sometimes one and the same).     As a lover of community and connection, I’ve thought about the long-term impact of work relationships and

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Human Resources

How to support your employees ‘exit’ without the F you

Losing some of your greatest talent sucks. We’ve all been there as leaders where some of your key talent and strongest performers have chosen to resign for various reasons. Anything from a better opportunity to personal reasons I’m sure you’ve heard before. During a global pandemic, it’s no different. Yes, sadly many have been laid off and lost their jobs

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Human Resources

Re-defining wellness in the future of work

We’ve all heard how important caring for our well-being is and for many, you usually pay attention when you’re on the verge of burnout. In the age of COVID, it seemed like it was all you heard. How to care for your mental and emotional health, keeping up with physical activity, structuring your workdays in a WFH (work from home)

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Human Resources

Dealing with stress? Here’s how to support your employee

Working from home was an adjustment for many of us as we transitioned back in March while navigating the stress that came with a global pandemic. Soon began the tips and tricks to stay motivated, productive and engaged while settling into your new (or should I say familiar) environment. Your bed, couch, the kitchen and whatever other creative places you

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Leadership

Inclusive workplaces are created with intention, not trends

So many of the discussions across the globe have centered around change for racial injustice, systemic racism and the need for this time to be an ongoing conversation that’s no longer taboo and one that lasts beyond a ‘trend’. In our corporate landscape and in the workplace, the global movement we’ve witnessed over the past few weeks created discussions around

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Human Resources

Working from home temporarily? For some, it’s here to stay

Remember when you loved having the flexibility to work from home? You saw it as a perk, while others saw it as a part of work-life and now it might just be a part of your reality – for good. As businesses acclimate to what a new work-life experience will look like post-COVID, companies like Facebook and Twitter have announced a transition that will

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Human Resources

Pack your patience – life at work post COVID-19

Is it too early to be talking about heading back to the office post-COVID-19? Probably not. Our transition to working remotely happened fast and suddenly. There was no planning and strategy work to prepare; it was mandated and we just transitioned. Slowly but surely, governments around the world are in discussions and planning for transitioning back to work and re-opening

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Human Resources

How to pivot your people strategy in a human crisis

It’s no question that an organization’s biggest asset is its people. Whether your organization falls in the small-medium sized space or is considered an enterprise, your people strategy (a.k.a. your recruitment or talent strategy) can support or hurt your growth. As a leader, your recruitment strategy is usually one of the most important strategies next to your business strategies. I

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Leadership

Is your communication plan right & tight working from home?

The ‘work from home’ or a remote working option that was once considered a benefit and, in some cases, seen as a perk (depending on the organization you ask) has become the norm in the last month. Likely to stay this way for several months to come. According to research by Regus Canada, 47% of Canadian employees work from outside

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Human Resources

Does your talent management strategy include baby boomers?

Retirement may be a far vision for some of you, but for others, it’s several years out. Past the age of what we’ve all known to be 65, we’re now looking at 70, even 80 + years old for retirees. Baby boomers don’t all fall under the same age of retirement which means skilled and experienced talent are still working,

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Leadership

Creating a safe workplace as a leader

Psychological safety is a ‘feeling‘ we’ve heard more and more of in the workplace in more recent years. If you asked about how it relates to organizations 20 or 30 years ago, it wasn’t a common concept. Today, it relates to factors that affect employee engagement, employee performance and leadership to name a few. In its simplest terms, psychological safety

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Leadership

What does a people-first culture look like?

For a start-up organization in this day of age, a people-first culture might be clear as day for some of you as you envision the kind of culture you want to create. There are a fundamental understanding and a heart’s desire to lead with people first. For those organizations that are more established, including the multi-national organizations that have been

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Career man hold a cup of coffee
Talent Identification/Management

A career change over 50? Yes! Successful? Yes!

  Where ageism is very real in almost every industry, plenty of resources will tell you how to combat ageism so you can successfully make a career change.     Tips and tricks on positioning yourself, talk about your qualifications so you don’t come across as ‘overqualified’ or ‘underqualified’ but just right. How to talk about your passions and the

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man's hand holding a pen on top of a notebook, lap top beside him
Leadership

Dear CEO, here’s how to save money on training

The ‘Compassionate Leader.’ The leader that has a vision, invests in their people and knows how to take an organization to the next level with people at its core. Better yet, by creating a people-first culture. With the pace, our world is moving at and the ever-changing world of business, training and L&D initiatives (learning and development) is a go-to

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group of people sitting in a circle
Leadership

Leader as coach in the future of work

A new year and a new decade are fast approaching and with that comes a new way of leading. A transformation I’ve talked about often in hopes it fosters action from those organizations who are ready to step up and begin their evolution vs. more meetings to talk about challenges. An approach to leading your people side by side versus top-down is

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man and woman sitting on coach talking
Human Resources

How 10 managers in 10 years can redefine a mentor

Last week I had the pleasure of speaking at the closing ceremony of a mentoring program for The Association of Change Management Professionals – Toronto Chapter. Mentoring had been something that took a different shape along my own path so the hesitation to speak on something that didn’t take form in the traditional sense was strong. It was also the

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3 men and 3 women sitting in chairs next to each other
Human Resources

6 benefits to thriving in a multi-generational workforce

This past week I attended a mentoring event held by NEW where we discussed diversity in a multi-generational workforce. Such an important topic since by 2020, 50% of the global workforce will be made up of Millennials aka Gen Y. These conversations have been percolating slowly but surely, and it’s clear that identifying ways of working together and adapting to

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Human Resources

Emotional intelligence – Your emotions as a *gift* in the workplace

Emotions and ‘the workplace’ are often not seen in the same sentence unless we’re talking about emotional intelligence. There’s an immediate reaction that the two don’t mix and emotions simply don’t belong in corporate. Yet, over the years, we’ve had emotional intelligence courses and workshops of the like become increasingly popular. Not because we’ve become more accepting of the concept

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People raising their hand pointing a finger up
Human Resources

The NEW value of HR in your organization

You have a daunting task ahead of you, I get it. In the digital era where technology is changing not only the way we do business but how we communicate and preparing for future workforces, HR’s value has only increased in organizations.  Or has it? As an HR leader, not only are you responsible for coming up with strategies that

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two people having a meeting, glasses and a glass of water on the desk
Human Resources

How to establish trust and credibility in times of change

Whether it’s in corporate or as an entrepreneur, trust and credibility are critical to your ability in establishing strong relationships.  They go hand and hand and we want both to exist in the people we work with. Even in our personal relationships – friends, family, relatives, etc. you want to know the people you have relationships with are trustworthy and

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8 people standing together with their phones and lap tops
Talent Identification/Management

6 sources candidates use to learn about your company

When it comes to your employer brand and company culture, candidates are empowered with endless information at their fingertips to learn about your company. In a job market where competition is increasingly tight, candidates are considering all their options. They’re not afraid to do their due diligence and ensure they’re equipped with enough information to make an informed decision. Your

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Human Resources

What Inspires you is unique to YOU

This past weekend, I attended an all-day workshop called Evolve that I was invited to by a friend of mine. All things supporting entrepreneurs and small business owners were shared through wellness and mindfulness best practices.  Plus, a line up of great speakers that shared productivity hacks and other tricks, tips, and tools to support you and your business to

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Group of people discussing employee retention
Talent Identification/Management

How to improve employee retention with these 7 strategies

As a leader, when you’re managing a people-first culture your people are the primary focus of your business. Finding the best people is one thing, keeping them is another. That’s where retaining talent comes into play. Employee retention is a critical component of sustaining a strong and healthy organization. Your people are what makes your company run. Among the common

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Talent Identification/Management

How to hire better so you can lower employee turnover

Is your organization experiencing high turnover? Do you find yourself replacing the same roles over and over again and feeling uneasy about your recruitment strategy? There could be a few reasons for this, including a broken recruitment process. Another reason is simply you’re hiring the wrong people in the wrong roles. It can be difficult to quantify an existing employee

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employees engaged and working together on their lap tops
Human Resources

Do this ONE thing to improve employee performance!

Is your organization struggling with low employee performance? While there can often be multiple reasons that impact employee performance, there’s an easy and what I believe an underutilized solution. One that is underestimated in terms of the benefit and impact it can have not only on your employee’s performance but your business as well. Show your employees you appreciate them.

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girl standing at white board with team brainstorming on employee experience
Human Resources

6 elements that make a strong employee experience

How would you define the employee experience?  Do you know what elements are important to create a strong and fulfilling employee experience? It’s something that I’ve thought about throughout my own career and learned how important it was from the countless conversations I have with professionals navigating their careers, trying to identify the ‘one.’  That ONE company that had it

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Human Resources

How to make tough decisions at work and still lead with heart

As the leader of your organization, ‘tough decisions’ are a part of your role, regardless of how well or how bad your business may be doing. When things are good, decision-making can span from – where to invest next, how to best manage resources, how many people to hire and so on.  When it’s not so great, it could be

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Human Resources

Have you earned your raise or are you just being entitled?

How many times in your career have you gone and asked for a raise feeling in your heart of hearts that you’re truly deserving of an increase?  What about times when you’ve asked, and you simply felt entitled?  Let me clarify.  You haven’t really outlined the work you’ve done to be deserving of a raise OR actually done anything beyond

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