Category: Social Responsibility

WINS, LOSES, TIES, and other ways to find VICTORY – Part 1

Paul Wagenaar

Have you ever tried to get into a building but couldn’t open the door? Have you ever needed immediate assistance only to be told you will have to go on a waiting list for six months or more? Have you ever wanted a job but didn’t get it knowing that you were not considered, not because you couldn’t do the job, but because of someone’s bias you weren’t given a chance?

In Canada everyone has the right to employment, but it is far from a “level playing field;” people who live with barriers, including disabilities have to work harder to achieve their wins, they often lose, occasionally tie, and have to find ways to make progress and achieve a measure of victory.

In this, part 1 or 2, I hope to illuminate some of the barriers, the challenges, and to help dispel the myths and biases to help people who live with barriers and disabilities to achieve their employment goals.

We need your awareness and your commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusiveness.

Answer …  Everything is about value and standing out

Paul Wagenaar

We are conditioned by society not to stand out, we all suffer to one extent or another because of the education system and by human nature. Fortunately “blending in” is a learned behavior that can be “unlearned.” The journey to success is helped by learning to stand out, to always provide value and it doesn’t matter if it is for yourself, personally, or for your organization; and it is something you can do, you can even start today.

Looking for a job shouldn’t be this hard …

Paul Wagenaar

Finding a new job for anyone can be very difficult. We all face barriers to employment, living in a small or medium-sized community can add some surprising additional barriers. People in this situation, need our help, they need my help and they need your help. Lend me five minutes of your time for a brief introduction to learning about the barriers and what we can do to overcome them.

Being a Servant Leader without being a Manager or Supervisor

Paul Wagenaar

What is leadership? Does it come automatically when you are a supervisor or a manager? Or is it the cumulative effect of dozens of small actions that sometimes seem invisible unless you are looking for them? Someone who is a manager or supervisor doesn’t automatically become a leader, especially not a servant leader; although anyone who is a servant leader would always make a great supervisor or manager.

Work pressure and sick time.

Paul Wagenaar

In the past and even today, work has stressed and made me feel overwhelmed … and I know that I am not alone. There are ways to mitigate these feelings and even to “get ahead of them;” consider this post to be a guide with “Tools Everyone Can Use” to help you stop being affected as much.

A way forward …

Paul Wagenaar

I have been unemployed … I have been worried I won’t find another job … I have laid awake wondering and worrying. I believe in illuminating fear, of turning towards it instead of away from it. I believe fear can be overcome, but it needs to be acknowledged, recognized, and there is a process to move past it. This is a brief post on getting started on that path.

It is worth it for you and for them …

Paul Wagenaar

With the coming of spring (finally) many students are starting to look for summer jobs and many organizations are looking to hire. Hiring students benefits both the student and employer; the learning curve can be steep on both sides, but it is worth the effort today and tomorrow.

It is always worth the effort …

Paul Wagenaar

Hiring a student or welcoming a coop student into your workplace is an investment in our collective future. The practical skills and knowledge they gain builds on their academic abilities. Take the time to prepare and anticipate the work involved and collaboratively make them part of your team.

Train them and allow them to demonstrate to you they can make meaningful contributions when provided with opportunities.

Avoiding the “Trump Trap” …

Paul Wagenaar

Running a country, province or state, or a municipality is a complex task. A good leader and a good government is more than about charisma, it is about leadership, having a plan, connecting with people, and making the right choices. There are elections coming, what are your issues, you need to make the right choices too.

What would/could you do?

Paul Wagenaar

I am worried for my children and our family, I am worried for my community, and I am worried for everyone. One has doesn’t have to read what the experts are saying, you just have to go outside and see for yourself. Our collective actions are threatening our planet and our survival.

I am not a reactionary, but I am an environmentalist. I am also a businessperson and someone trained as an economist, I appreciate the costs of what, as one person I am suggesting; however we have to change and we have to change now.