Archives for Leadership

If They Knew What to Do, They Would Be Doing it

Train Your Team All leaders have a constant challenge of how to have their team members perform tasks that are up to their expectations. It seems so simple to us, but sadly we are becoming less and less satisfied with the outcomes. When I am speaking to groups from our industry, I love asking the question, “Are the people you are attracting now better or worse than five years ago?” Every time I get the same response, the people we are attracting are worse than five years ago. If everything rises and falls on leadership, and it does, that speaks
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Leadership Training – Exciting Future

Passionate Trainer and Change Leader Leadership training is a passion for me. I have been working in the aggregate, mining, trucking, and construction industry for almost 40 years. It is because of this that I have been recognized as one of the most successful leadership trainers. I have a very deeply held passion for helping people maximize their personal and professional goals. Helping you succeed is my goal. Remote Learning COVID 19 has caused the cessation of groups of people being able to hold large events. Our Team very quickly realized that moving to remote learning would be especially important.
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Attracting and Retaining Employees

There is no quick and dirty solution on how to attract and retain the next generation of employees, but in fact, it all relies upon leadership. Many people are quick to label Millennials as people who fail to show loyalty to one company, like it is a negative reflection on them. The fact of the matter is that people generally don’t leave a company, they leave a leader. In order to show the type of leadership that people desire and respond to, we need to keep in mind three key topics: Attracting, Retaining, and Investing. Here is what you need
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Leadership Events in Ottawa!

You don’t have to wait for Live2Lead in the fall, Ottawa hosts many great leadership opportunities throughout the year! Like Live 2 Lead Ottawa, Leadercast and The Global Leadership Summit are simulcast events that features many great speakers and an opportunity to network with industry leaders in business, not-for-profit, and government from our great city. Coming up quickly on May 5th, Leadercast aims to strengthen the community and has contributed over $36,000 over the past 4 years, with this year’s net proceeds going to the Ottawa Mission. The theme for this one day event is Powered by Purpose: “Purpose is
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Upcoming Workshops with OCA

I am very excited to announce that I will be doing two full day workshops for the Ottawa Construction Association (OCA) this Spring! I look forward to seeing many of you there! Construction Leadership 101 – Friday, May 19th, 2017 Success is knowing your purpose in life; growing to your maximum potential; sowing the seeds that benefit others. It is a rather simple recipe yet requires awareness, study, practice and mentoring to achieve. The Four Elements of Success are REAL (Relationships, Equipping, Attitude and Leadership) To be a REAL success it is imperative to RELATE to others better, to take
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Piling Canada Article

In the article written by Lisa Gordon entitled “Changing with the Times”, Piling Canada spoke with three business coaches across Canada (Mike Draper from Toronto, Mark Nesbitt from Ottawa, and Cheryl Dyck from Calgary), gathering tips from each on behalf of the many contractors in the construction industry who feel as though they are stuck in a rut when it comes down to taking chances and making changes in their businesses. What was learned, however, was that “positive change is within reach of any company, providing the leader is willing to roll up their sleeves and make a plan”.
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Who are you sending to your Leadership Training Camp in the Off Season?

It’s that time of year again – the end of season for most construction and aggregate businesses. Having spent over 30 years in the seasonal industry, I’m very well-versed in the challenges that come with working in this particular trade. For example, one of the most prominent hurdles that the industry faces at this time of year is deciding which employees will be kept on board over the winter months, and who, unfortunately, will have to be laid off due to the inoperativeness of the off season. In all honesty, I have seen mixed reactions from many employees with respect
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The Power of a Great Quote

Quotes are something that we must all recognize and appreciate. A single, inspirational set of words can go so much further than one may anticipate it to – hence their importance. Quotes can help people in varying ways, as each hold a different meaning in the eye of their beholder. With respect to leadership, frequent words of encouragement will not only boost the morale of your team, but will no less make you feel like a better person – a strong leader. Create a quote list. Invite people to “subscribe”, in a sense. Guaranteed you’ll notice a ripple effect: your
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The Checklist Manifesto

When you have an idea that you’d like to explore, or are about to complete an important task(s) do you keep track of its completion? Its successes? Its opportunities? The significant value of utilizing a checklist is something that can often be forgotten about or considered beneath our capabilities. Why bother with a checklist if everything is already mapped out for us in our minds? Wrong. And I’ll tell you why. Kudos to Kevin Pattison at the TPS Group in Sudbury, ON for recommending that I read “The Checklist Manifesto”. If you have yet to hear of this incredible book,
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Leaders are Speeders

Learn the importance of becoming a strong, efficient, and capable leader. Leadership is something that, with diligent practice and proper training, can be encouraged and grown. This video embodies the concept of being “up to speed” with your own personal leadership abilities, as well as being mindfully aware of the pace in which your teammates are “driving” alongside you. As a leader, you must first grow yourself – become a speeder – in order to grow your people and, in turn, your business. Give your teammates the opportunity to grow as you see fit – don’t hold them back. According
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