Things I Thought Everyone Knew …
Knowledge is not universal, it is learned, not instinctive. We are all learning, we all must be patient, appreciative, and willing to teach and help each other.
Author: Paul Wagenaar
Building People with a Team Charter
What is a team charter? It is a building block. It is an interactive and inclusive tool to give people in your organization the freedom, the space, and the ability to get things done.
I will not pretend that this post has all the answers. But in this post and in my other posts, you will find places to start. These posts all share three common themes, one is that you or your organization can start today, all they require is a change of thinking or a change of process and finally, the cost is virtually zero.
Revisiting Leadership
Effective leadership is not easy. An effective leader is always learning, always reinventing themselves, and always adapting their skills and approach to the current environment. To be successful, effective leaders cannot be entrenched they must constantly look at different perspectives and be aware of their blind spots.
Effective leaders never forget that leadership isn’t about them, it is about the people they lead. They are facilitators, they empower, and they are whatever the situation, their organization, and most importantly what their people need them to be.
Simple Considerations …
I have hoped in a small humorous way to highlight some things that people can change. All of these are relatively easy to fix, and they drive, not just me, crazy, but many others.
With all the stress, anxiety, and issues we all face today, correcting some or all these small “Richard” behaviors wouldn’t be difficult, so read this post and see what you think.
10 Warning Signs Your Meetings are in Trouble.
We have all experienced them.
The kind of meeting where the clock, if it seems to move at all crawls at a glacial pace. Far from being productive, the attendees have long since stopped paying attention and only want to find an escape so they can get some real work done.
Ineffective meetings frustrate everyone, the people attending them and the people running them.
The first step to resolution is to recognize the warning signs and then start today rectifying the situation.
Incongruity – Distractions from critical thinking
We have more information at our disposal than at any other point in human history. The problem is that we are inundated with so much distracting information and conflicting information how can anyone determine what is important?
Culture and Teamwork
More than ever, I appreciate how an organization uses its culture to develop ideas and concepts through its people.
Systems and processes are important but how an organization collaborates with its people is what really sets it apart. It doesn’t matter whether your organization is small or large, these tools can help everyone.
New Job Anxiety and Tools Everyone Can Use
Recently I started a new job. The job and people are excellent but I found myself trying too hard and doubting my skills. This anxiety is common and can easily overwhelm a new person in any organization. I recalled the lessons I had learned from my mentors, applied them to my own situation, and sought to share them as well. Please feel free to add your own suggestions and share this post.
Rigidity – People & Organizations
Rigidity usually happens slowly and without most people noticing.
If we do notice it, we usually only see it in other organizations and in other people. Most people do not even realize it is happening to them, many will deny it, but those who do are only fooling themselves.
The rigidity of thinking and action can stifle growth, success, and happiness, and even threaten survival.
Things everyone should know about Food Security
August 31st will be my final day as Food Security Coordinator for the United Way of Bruce Grey.
For the past two years, my job has been to build awareness of food insecurity, improve connectivity between the 50+ food organizations in Bruce Grey, and assist each of the 300+ volunteers and staff as much as possible. I have learned so much about the important work all of them do. These very dedicated people need our assistance to alleviate and to also eliminate food insecurity as an issue throughout Canada.