The Great Canadian Leadership Podcast

Inspiring others sounds great - so how does one do that? And how do you share your vision? This is the challenge. When you hear the words ‘inspire’ and ‘vision’, it’s hard to grasp, it feels abstract. In this episode, our guest Arminda Gonzalez Dumpierrez is here to deconstruct the abstract, to make it real and tangible. She clearly shows us the ways you can inspire and share your vision, and how...

If you have to sell an idea or a product, do you immediately think, “I don’t want to be pushy!”? For most of us that’s a firm YES! Fair enough, we’ve all had salespeople and leaders overwhelm us with facts and features, yet not even take a breath, let alone ask us a question. If you are a leader or anyone trying sell a new behaviour, idea or product, finding the best way to connect and influence c...

Are you ready to confidently deliver thoughtful & actionable feedback? Um, not quite? This episode will make it easier for you. “When giving feedback, it’s not what you say; people get defensive because of why they think you’re saying it”.  We share the strategies you need to deliver feedback that is motivational, not confrontational! And isn’t it more fun when giving feedback that is helpful, foc...

Presentation jitters? How can you feel more comfortable and confident when presenting? This episode can help with some tips and techniques to communicate your thoughts in front of an audience from 1 to millions. Our guest is John Horn, who shares 20+ years of sports broadcasting experience on what it takes to be prepared, ask the right questions and share your story in a way that engages an audien...

“I have no time!” Sound familiar? Is this you?   This episode can help with tips and strategies to manage your time and the stress that comes with it.   When you fail to manage your time, there is a feeling of loss of control which causes stress. If you want to break this cycle, the answer lies in great time management skills and the behaviours to get there. Because being busy is not the same as b...

Episode #20 is energizing! Leadership Lessons From The Circus and Beyond. You might be asking yourself: “What does the circus have to do with leadership?” How about if that circus was called Cirque du Soleil? At one time one of the largest live entertainment shows, having played to over 100 million spectators, and its staff comprised of over 50 nationalities, speaking 25 different languages…. Now...

Episode #19 is insightful! This is the final episode of our significant four podcasts series on navigating difficult conversations. Don’t forget to go back and listen to episodes 16, 17 and 18 for the full path. Are you getting ready to have a difficult conversation? Dreading it? Nobody enjoys it! 90% of the time, you have normal, routine conversations; however, around 10% of the time is that mome...

Episode #18 is enlightening! This episode is part of our significant four podcasts series on navigating difficult conversations (see below for more on this series). If you think about a difficult conversation you just had or are about to have, the emotions and the stakes are probably high. Then add to that those differences of opinion. How do you separate personal from business? How important is e...

Episode #17 is empowering! "How to give feedback confidently" This episode is part of our significant four podcasts series on navigating difficult conversations (see below for more on this series). For many of us, giving feedback weighs on us and we anticipate a difficult conversation. In fact, a survey published in The Harvard Business Review found that 1 out of every 2 managers hates giving feed...

Episode #16 is enlightening! “Are you being objective? Or are you assuming?”   This episode is part of our significant four podcasts series on navigating difficult conversations. One of the elements of a difficult conversation is that emotions are triggered, and often it's based on assumptions and not objectivity.   Our guest Nicola Van Dam shares some great insights, anecdotes, and tips, such as ...

Featuring the 'Greatest Hits' from our guests plus listeners questions. Episode #15 is ENCOURAGING! It’s a shared experience extravaganza. We reflect on the 'Greatest Hits' from our guests, and answer your questions on effective communication styles, influencing skills, thought leadership and tough conversations You can’t have an extravaganza without special guests: Joy Neuhold, Co-Owner of The Gr...

Episode #14 is INSIGHTFUL.  Your people are looking at you to set the tone and they will follow your lead.  Are you aware as a leader that you are in that spotlight?  What you say, how you say it, your body language, your actions tell your teams if this is going to be a collaborative, inspiring and safe environment or not.   In this episode, our guest Catherine Hayos shares her own leadership expe...

Episode #13 is motivating! As a leader, communicating in your style means that people will believe and trust you. Does your communication style feel natural? Or are you copying another’s style?  Our guest Joy Neuhold discusses how she found her style (hint: a garbage can was involved) and how leaders and all of us can find ours.   Joy Neuhold has been the Co-Owner and Senior Training & Consulting...

Episode 12 is INSIGHTFUL. A popular question we get in training is:  “How Do You Manage Upwards?”   How do you give feedback or change a behaviour - when that person is in authority? Whether you're an employee, a leader who reports above or a leader who wants to create a culture where your people can give you feedback, this episode is for you.  Our guest Melanie Ziltener shares her insightful exam...

The first question I had for our guest is: How do you define integrity and inclusion? They are abstract concepts, so how do we know we are leading with them? We also talk about how leaders keep the connection with their teams in a remote environment. In this episode, Nupur shares her insights on the communication skills and intentions needed to make everyone feel included. We discuss the importanc...

Episode #10 is ENGAGING! What is your default setting? For many of us, that default is to solve our team’s, colleagues’ or friends’ problems - right here, right now!   This was a shift for our guest Allison Dell, newly appointed Head of HR at Cineplex, about learning to meet her people where they were at, and not be the hero that saves them.    In this episode, Allison shares her insights on the i...

Episode #9 is ENERGIZING! How can we communicate successfully, in meetings, with clients or with our colleagues? What about if you and your long-time friend decide to start a business together? How do you make that work and what communication skills do you need to be effective and maintain respect? In this episode, our guests Noah Maislin and Marko Lindhe have figured out a way to operationalize t...

Episode #8 is ENLIGHTENING! We would all like to communicate with confidence. To be more influential and impactful in our business interactions. To have an impact as a leader on the growth of the people around you. As an HR leader, to be influential as a trusted business partner.  How do you do it?    In this episode, Jennifer McClure shares her 30+ years of experience in leadership and HR with gr...

Episode #7 is ENLIGHTENING! How do you adapt to different communication styles? Cultures? Languages? Do assumptions get in the way? In this episode, Dhimant Patel, a global business leader, shares his insights and experiences in communicating with people from different countries and cultures. Learning the nuances of language for international business can start with a simple question such as: “Wha...

Episode #6 is ENGROSSING! You want to connect more with your teams. You want to build the culture in your organization, and you know it’s more than a twelve-point plan. How do you do it?   In this episode, Kaitlin Sandor-Kerr discusses how and why sharing your story has a ripple effect on people and the company and creates a sense of purpose and values. As a leader, do your people know your story?...

Episode #5 is ENGAGING! You want to present to and engage your audience, whether it’s to one or a thousand people. How do you do it? In this episode, Nancey Watson shares some great principles of presentation skills and communicating that start with asking yourself, “Do I know who is in the audience and why this should matter to them?”  You want to be a better presenter and communicator. But it’s...

Episode #4 is ENCOURAGING! You want to influence others to action - whether you have authority or not, how do you do it? In this episode, Tamara Lovi shares some great principles of influencing and communicating that inspire, motivate, and create collaboration. You want to be an influential leader, but, as Tamara says, “We’re not born with these skills”. It takes failures, coaching and learning to...

Episode #3 is MOTIVATING! We all want to feel appreciated and respected. As a leader, how do you communicate and model that to your teams and clients? In this episode, Alexa Nick guides us on the foundations to create trust, the effect listening intently has on others and why balancing logic with storytelling matters.  Alexa Nick began her career as a management consultant. She then pursued her go...

Everyone Has a Story  Episode #2 is INSPIRING. What holds you back from writing, from communicating your ideas? Is it fear of judgment? For most of us, that’s a definite yes! In this episode, our guest Hannah Tough guides us on how to communicate more effectively (hint: drop your ego) and how to listen to the stories that want to be heard.  Hannah Tough is the Internal Marketing and Communication...

“The robots are coming... No wait, the robots are here!”     Episode #1 is FASCINATING- Robots and AI in the workplace and how we interact with them.  We discuss the different communication styles, and if the robots are being programmed to bring out the best of our humanity? Then as leaders and for all of us we need to re-program our communication and collaboration abilities.   Dr. Robin Yap bring...