Tag: Tools Everyone Can Use

Bipolar Disorder Does Not Erase a Person’s Potential … misunderstanding does

Paul Wagenaar

Did you know more than half a million Canadians live with bi-polar disorder? About 3 out of 100 people in your lives experience this medical condition but few of us really know much about what they experience. Most of what we know likely falls into myths, misconceptions, and stigma unfortunately.

This blog is a very short introduction into what we should all know, whether we are employers, co-workers, friends, family, or community members. By learning more we can help them open more doors to employment and understanding. We can help them overcome the barriers society and our lack of knowledge has created.

We owe them that.

Failing Should Be Taught More …

Paul Wagenaar

Learning to fail seems counterintuitive to everything our success culture seems to value. I believe people who say they never fail likely aren’t trying enough new ideas or ways of doing things. Failure isn’t the end, I believe it is simply an additional step on becoming successful. What is important, is learning how to fail so that failure doesn’t discourage you and lead to giving up.

Why Our Current Interview Practices Are Unfair

Paul Wagenaar

I believe our current system of interviewing people is flawed. People who are able to answer questions confidently and quickly have an advantage, even though they may not be the best applicant for the position. As an employer or as a job seeker, there are things we can all do differently … this is a short guide to just what we can change.

Building Culture is Building Success

Paul Wagenaar

Culture isn’t built in meetings. It is built in moments – every minute of every day and in every action – culture can be nurtured, strengthened, and lived. The way we treat people when no one’s watching determines the strength of every business. Start small, stay kind, and keep building. It isn’t easy, it can be hard work, frustrating, fraught with setbacks; however, it is worth the time, and it is worth the investment … every time.

Consider this post to be an introduction, a starting point for building your team through one of the areas that is entirely within your ability to influence.

Why routine is important to job seekers

Paul Wagenaar

The feeling of loss of purpose is one of the hardest obstacles to overcome for some people when they search for a new job. It can be difficult to find motivation. The fear of not finding what you need to live is ever-present. As well, the frustration of frequent rejection can all combine to make your job search so much more difficult.

Rediscovering your purpose can be helped by creating and using the “tool” of a daily routine. A routine to mirror your working day, a routine with blocks of time for job searching, performing useful task, getting out of your home, engaging with people, exercising, and engaging with your community. An evolving routine can help you build yourself back up and restore your purpose.

Why isn’t my job search working?

Paul Wagenaar

Job searching is harder than it used to be … it seems. How long should a job search take? It depends … mostly it depends on you. It depends on the decisions you make, the effort you put into it, and how determined you are in the face of disappointment and frustration. Here are 22 steps you can take, the more you do, the more likely you are to succeed. See what you think.

… things managers do that leaders don’t

Paul Wagenaar

You might think I have something against managers … I am less “anti-manager” than I am more “pro-leader.” Our interactions with people matter and anyone aspiring to be a good manager should set their sights higher and pursue being a good leader. As a retail store manager, a consultant, a project manager, a board member, and now as a career advisor and coordinator I have seen the difference a manager who aspires to be a leader can make and I invite you to see how many of these tools you can use.

What to expect when your children move out …

Paul Wagenaar

This past weekend the last of our three adult children moved out … well mostly … It is a difficult transition. It was hard when the first one left, equally hard with the second, and, although we knew it was coming, we still weren’t ready for it to be over. Sitting in your child’s room surrounded by books, toys, awards, pictures, and furniture that has been left behind is bittersweet. Few of us are ever ready for parenthood to be over.

Fortunately, it’s not over … its just changing, take a few moments and see what I mean, these have helped me, maybe they can help you or someone you know.

The best choice is the right one; the next best is the wrong one.

Paul Wagenaar

Decision paralysis is something all of us have or will face … making decisions is hard. What if you don’t make the right choice? What if you only have one shot it? Will my decision change my life forever? All good questions and you are going to make good decisions and bad decisions … its part of life and know that whatever happens you will learn and get better.

Starting your Journey to becoming a Servant Leader

Paul Wagenaar

Becoming a manager of any type of organization is a big accomplishment for anyone. My challenge for anyone in this position is to strive to be more than a manager … become a leader … and most importantly become a servant leader. The road ahead for a new manager is full of danger and chances for failure; however, as an aspiring servant leader, your chances for success increase dramatically when you put serving your team ahead of your own aspirations.