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Lessons from Unlikely Leaders

A while back, a client told me about a training program she had attended about “executive presence” and how its tone-deaf message badly missed the mark. The narrow-minded, toxic key message centred on the idea that there is a specific and correct way to be an executive or leader, and no room for alternative styles or approaches. My client was understandably disappointed by this message …

Top Nine Most-Read I/O Advisory Services Blog Posts

I’m excited to share this list of my top nine blog posts from the 200-plus that I’ve published over the years! If you’ve missed these, you can catch up by listening or reading the following blogs articles on a range of career, HR, and organizational culture topics.

Q&A with Dr. Helen – Helping others improve their Careers and HR through an ‘AudioBlog’

Read or listen to Dr. Helen’s 270+ AudioBlog articles designed to help you build a better career and/or a more productive and sustainable organization.

Scapegoats and the Glass Cliff: When Careers Get Derailed

Scapegoating and the glass cliff may sound like something made up or exaggerated. In this article, I’ll break down what these terms mean, who they affect and why.

Less Lonely at the Top: the Rewards of Leadership & Executive Coaching

It’s lonely at the top. Modern leadership includes responsibility for staff in work environments that have grown much more complex – while also maintaining productivity and profitability. It’s no wonder that there’s growing acceptance for and use of executive and leadership coaching.

Overqualified and Underemployed – Big Ego or Real Problem?

A lot of us grew up being told that we were wonderful and can do anything that we set our minds on. Sometimes, this is true, and we have unlimited potential and abilities. This may leave us feeling overqualified for our jobs. If we feel overqualified, does it mean that we actually are?

It’s Impolite to Discuss Politics at Work – But What About Values?

We’re all entitled to our political and religious beliefs, and we’re entitled to keep those private. With that said, when it comes to values, our silence speaks volumes.

Read or Hear the Latest Blog Posts

Destigmatizing Perimenopause and Menopause at Work

Destigmatizing Perimenopause and Menopause at Work

Although the symptoms associated with perimenopause and menopause are private – these are issues that women can’t “leave at home.” These are symptoms that follow employees to work. Ignoring the impact of perimenopause and menopause symptoms won’t lessen their impact and won’t contribute to psychological safety or productivity.

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A Snapshot of Black Psychologists in Canada

A Snapshot of Black Psychologists in Canada

Although the CPA did not believe collecting disaggregated demographic data was a priority, the Black Psychology Section executive members started to collect this data as an interim measure. The Section’s hope and expectation is that the CPA and the various provincial and territorial Colleges of Psychology will ultimately take on this responsibility since they are connected to all psychologists working in Canada through the process of accreditation.

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Rethinking and Modernizing Executive Presence

Rethinking and Modernizing Executive Presence

As an executive coach, clients sometimes ask me for advice on how to develop their executive presence. And every now and then, someone will make it clear that they have a very narrow definition of executive presence — and it usually rubs me the wrong way. The unstated subtext is that “real executives” fit a certain template, and that template does not include certain types of leaders, despite being accomplished and effective.  Thankfully, after so many years of tech executives capturing headlines and broad attention, attitudes have certainly shifted — and the dress code has definitely evolved.

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The Surprising Upside of Healthy Workplace Rivalry

The Surprising Upside of Healthy Workplace Rivalry

Does rivalry always have to be negative? After my last blog post about Workplace Jealousy, I started reflecting on the potential pros and cons of the related idea – workplace rivalry. There have been famous rivalries throughout history for which competition made them both better: John Lennon vs. Paul McCartney, Chris Evert vs. Martina Navratilova, or, more recently, Venus vs. Serena Williams.

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