BSTL Podcast

Have you ever had that one person call in and say, "I just want to speak to your manager" without giving you the opportunity to problem solve the issue for them? What will your next steps be as a frontline leader? From a managerial perspective, will you come out of the corner office and take care of the issue yourself or will you allow your frontline leader to assume the lead? As leaders, we need...

As leaders, you have the opportunity to lead, mentor and empower your team. Remember to take a step back so that you can observe what your team is doing. Teach them to be resilient through their struggles as they create their own leadership skills.

This podcast discusses how culture is developed when people are gathered in the room. The processes that we implement must be solid enough to ensure that when leaders either transition in or out of an organization the processes remain. This allows unification within the organization when assessing mission, vision and core values. How you do things may determine how you get to your "why." In an inc...

As leaders, we often look for the easy escape routes when the going gets tough, Try not to retreat but take the opportunity to regroup. As leaders, there is no shame in retreating as it allows us to regroup and regain the momentum for another day. Cease the opportunity to regroup and assess your surroundings. Create reinforcements to hold the frontline for you while you make better decisions on be...

As leaders, we sometimes struggle with how to put our ideas together while moving toward the process of implementation. Ideas are created from our own personal, professional and work experiences producing that "Aha!" moment. By following the process of creating, implementing and executing your ideas, it allows you to make your "Aha!" moment a reality.

As leaders, we have to look around the room and assess our team and organization before we begin to make adjustments in the room and to the room. When we realize that we do not have all the gifts and expertise to fill the unforeseen gaps, we need to ensure that while we focus on filling the gaps and moving people around, that you have the key pieces and ingredients required to make the adjustments...

We have all seen the show "Undercover Boss" where the owner puts on a disguise to get a sense of what is happening behind the scenes with his frontline workers. The rationale behind this is that it allows the leader a first hand opportunity to get a sense of how the organization is actually running and expose any unforeseen gaps. Remember, by coming out of the corner office, it allows you to trans...

Barbershop II discusses the importance of leaders sharing their experiences when in the room. These personal encounters may, at times, make you vulnerable but nonetheless, it creates leaders, builds relationships and provides room for mentorship. By sharing your perspective it allows those involved to see and hear how they ultimately have impacted not only your life but how you have made an impact...

Leaders transition periodically into various positions and at times, replacing one another. Key points in this podcast reminds us of the importance in transitioning well as we focus on maintaining the team's morale and nurturing them through the transitional changes. The goal is not to duplicate your predecessor's work but to maintain a forward movement in your organization while being your authen...

Leaders from time to time, create striking conversations that arise based on a statement, phrase or opinion of someone or a group of people in the media. Does context matter when quoting someone's expression of speech or thoughts? What does keeping an open mind look like to you? When having the conversation whether publicly or at the dinner table, does HOW the message is translated matter in order...

Every single person has a calling on his or her life. As a leader, you have to be clear and compelling on the vision you have for your work. You must be hopeful, inspiring and be clear on who you are and what you have to bring to the table. The journey may present as a bumpy ride at first but as others have clarity on your vision and direction, your assignment will become a symbol of hope.

As leaders, we often have to repeat ourselves. The key to having repetitive conservations is not always to reprimand but to ensure that all teams are able to recognize the longevity of the journey ahead. Ensuring there are "action items" post meetings and conversations, promotes unilateral thinking and forward movement of your organization. Pinning up your value statements throughout your organiza...

This bonus episode will focus on what legacy building looks like. Today I discuss the experience that my father created through the making of the ice skating rink in our backyard and how that has now led me to now enrol my son in an ice hockey learning camp at his local elementary school. Sometimes you just have to step out of your comfort zone to build a new thing that will last generationally.

Frontline workers are instructed to take the shot. But what if as leaders we fail to equip them in a manner so that we don't set them up to fail and miss the shot altogether? As leaders, we are responsible for providing the appropriate tools and skills set for our teams to take the shot effectively. By providing the necessary training and developmental workshops, we maintain the most current and u...

Everyone has watched a James Bond movie where "M" sends 007 with another agent out into the frontlines and orders them to "take the shot" and to no doubt, save the world. As leaders, we have to implement the best plan possible so that our frontline workers recognize that while we need a job to be completed, we value their worth and safety. Give them the best shot possible as a miss can change you...

The barbershop is not just a place for haircuts. It is the one-stop-family-shop for restoration, rejuvenation and relationships. All ages are welcomed in the seat to build friendships, have great conversations while obtaining off-the-record therapy & counselling discussions. Even at the barbershop, transgenerational conversations can be transparent enough to build something that lasts.

Are pleasantries beginning to impact forward progress? When placed in a leadership position, avoid the attitude of just being pleasant. Create a space for conversation that allows for different perspectives and opinions. Your voice may be the very thing required to move your organization in a positive direction.

Everyone has an old pair of shoes or article that reminds them of where they once were. As you assume the posture to move forward in a different way, you may physically discard of them. As you establish your forward thinking, don't forget where you came from.

Effective leadership should not be lead from a position of fear. Allow your experiences, not failures, to create new growth within yourself. Develop leadership skills from your environmental experiences. Trust a young leader with innovative ideas to create a new vision. You may not see the concept right away but the value will present itself later.

As leaders, we are constantly making decisions at the managerial level that is not agreeable to everyone else in the room. If you really feel strongly about your decision, are you willing to stand firm and accept the risk of losing your job or being isolated? How far are you willing to go? Would you "die for" what you believe in and ultimately risk it all?

As leaders, it is important to reduce the WHOLE group to reduce the size of the HOLE. Pairing individuals and departments together creates an overlap in responsibilities. An informal setting allows for all voices to be heard while creating a posture of transparency for training and development. Plug the HOLE for the corporation as a WHOLE. Help other leaders to see the bigger picture.

As you move toward the corner office, your leadership responsibilities may require a new mindset. Your expectations and commitments will also change. You may have to lose some of your friends along the way as you gain new colleagues. Striving to work effectively requires new responsibilities, new friendships and new colleagues in order to make a difference in the room. Remain focused as you make y...

This discussion addresses leadership from a biblical perspective (Genesis Chapter 3). While freedom and accountability is attributed to your employees to establish their own decision-making processes, leaders must be cognizant as to what is happening within their organizations. When opposition creeps in and circumstances go astray, leave the corner office. Be prepared to have the difficult convers...

Whether you are working at the frontline level or progressing to a managerial level, your years of commitment should remain the same. As leaders we need to either find a way to motivate those who may no longer have the spark or help them to transition elsewhere. We must recognize and not ignore the cause and effect of an ineffective leader as this may impact everyone in your organization. Avoid th...

This episode discusses the importance of how leaders are perceived in a room during pivotal moments. As the dissenting voice, you have the ability to either make or break the spirit of your team. When you arrive, show mercy. Create a stronger team and culture in your organization. Don't kill them.