Posts by inspired_admin

Recently I met someone who said that although she was going through a very difficult transition, she did not need a coach because she has good friends that can be counted on for support. Well, it is indeed a great blessing to have supportive friends especially at a time when friendship is too often given a backseat in the fast lane of modern life and its numerous priorities. Occasionally, friends can also provide a good nudge to help us motivate ourselves into needed actions. Sometimes, people closest to us, by definition, lack the distance and detachment necessary to see the whole of who we are and could become. You may remember the movie Miss Potter, in which the father of Beatrix – best-selling children’s books author – said to his wife “your...

Recently I met someone who said that although she was going through a very difficult transition, she did not need a coach because she has a few good friends that can be counted on for support. This is indeed a great blessing especially at a time when friendship is too often given a backseat in the fast lane of modern life and its numerous priorities. Supportive friends help us to celebrate our joys, surmount our challenges as they engage with us in wondrous brain-stimulating conversations. Occasionally, friends can also provide a good nudge to help us motivate ourselves into needed actions. But sometimes, people closest to us lack, by definition, the distance and detachment necessary to see the whole of who we are and could be. You may remember the movie Miss...

In light of studies showing the negative impact of employee disengagement, a growing number of executives and HR professionals are prioritizing engagement. In fact, this issue so preoccupies the business community that the Canadian Conference Board has made it the central topic of the Toronto HR Summit in September entitled Engagement Strategies for Uncertain Times. As we address the daunting how-to questions and acknowledge the imperative of increasing engagement, some misunderstandings often linger about what it consists of exactly. The U.S. Conference Board defines it as: “a heightened emotional and intellectual connection that employees have for their job, organization, manager or co-workers.” This heightened connection is essentially what causes employees to...

Just a few weeks ago many of us were watching athletes perform and then we saw the spectacular closing ceremonies of the London 2012 Olympics. Thinking of all those athletes and especially the ones who got to the podiums; we know there were years of hard work and nearly incessant practice to arrive at that level of mastery.  What we do not get to see are the sustained efforts and help from the coaches; can you imagine to what extent coaches have contributed the motivation, encouragement, and championing for those athletes to end up winning their medals?  Now if you are coming up to a life transition such as a career change, business start-up or other major life transition, ask yourself, do I have sufficient clarity, support and motivation?  Do I have someone...

  I met Raymond Ducholke at a Vancouver coffee shop I have frequented to write on my laptop on occasion.  After getting to know that he is also an author and a humanitarian, I wanted to capture his wonderful story of mentorship and sponsorship.  So here is an excerpt of my interview of him in July: Raymond, what was your experience of going to the Philippine to attend the graduation of the young woman you had sponsored into nursing school? This was a really heartwarming experience, seeing Jenny and knowing she had graduated at the top her class.  I was amazed that people there have very little material wealth yet so much warmth and hospitality.  Jenny was so very grateful that I had helped her to reach her dream of becoming a nurse. While she was studying I...