Here Comes Everyone by The Conference Bard

Named after one of my favourite Elvis Costello tracks, in this episode Lorie shares both results of the BC Workplace Culture Scan report she recently completed with the Reframe Group as well as her personal mission to help create workplaces grounded on love. Among the topics we discuss are: 1. Defining what culture is 2. The central role of relationships to any culture and business  3. The importa...

In this episode Vince shares insights from his two books,  The Leadership Contract and the just released Accountable Leaders. We cover a fair bit of ground including discussion of: The key role of accountability in leadership The critical importance of accountability to authentic leadership Why leaders need to build a community of leaders to be truly effective How to show up as an accountable lead...

No guest for this episode I'm afraid though I have an upcoming guest who will discuss privilege. In the meantime I wrote this short poem - still very much a work in progress. For expert perspectives on D&I check out previous episodes featuring Peter Trevor Wilson, Rebekah Steele and Camille Dundas For more info on my work as a conference emcee, spoken word artist, panel moderator and even...

For this episode I invited my colleague Darcy Roberts of Spiral by Design to join me to discuss how employers can use LEGO®SERIOUS PLAY® (LSP) with teams as they return to colocation as the COVID19 lockdown eases - as well as with blended teams of remote and colocated members and teams that are remaining remote. After briefly sharing the principles and process of LSP she shares the approach we hav...

Giselle Kovary is a pioneer understanding the workplace through the lens of generations and employers globally seek her out for her expertise to help them create better workplaces for people of all ages. To gain a better understanding of the impact COVID19 is having on different generations Giselle launched a survey, and in doing so also donated over 1000 PPE for health care workers.  Hot off the...

A couple of weeks ago I asked my LinkedIn network to share what they grieved most as a result of COVID19 intending to take their reflections and create a verse that would capture the full range of their feelings. You can hear this poem in the previous episode - for this episode Sarah Hines of Starling Minds and Founder of A Meaningful Death joins me to explore what it is that people are grieving a...

No guest on this episode I'm afraid - just me reciting a poem on grief. A couple of weeks ago I asked my network on LinkedIn to share what it was they grieved most as a result of COVID19.  My intention was to take their answers and combine them into a single verse that would capture the feelings in this moment. This is that verse - the next episode will be me discussing the poem with grief ex...

Jennifer Moss is a pioneer in the area of happiness at work and applying the principles of positive psychology and brain plasticity in the workplace. In this conversation we explore the continued importance of happiness as we all navigate the stresses and anxieties of living with the constraints imposed by COVID19. As well as happiness, Jenn shares her insights into building resiliency, post-traum...

Stephane Grenier knows about crisis having been served in the Canadian Armed Forces in Afghanistan, Rwanda and Bosnia. Since leaving the military Stephane has continued the work he began there supporting mental health.  Now a well established leader in the field through his advocacy of peer support and the services he provides through his company Mental Health Innovations, he has a unique and valu...

Among the many things COVID19 has changed is learning.  One thing COVID19 hasn't changed is the human brain. In this lively conversation Lauren Waldman and I discuss her study of the brain and how to be effective, learning must be based on a thorough understanding of how the brain works. She discusses cognitive load, the folly of multitasking, the need to balance focus and diffusion and how t...

This episode features a statement from someone we don't want to hear from.   For more info on my work as a conference emcee, spoken word artist, panel moderator and event designer check out my site at https://conferencebard.ca/

There is currently a lot of discussion about the mental health impact COVID 19 is having on individuals - increased stress, grief, loss of control, rising rates of suicide and depression, problems of addiction, fear, anxiety...The list goes on. In this conversation we hear about what the impact is at the level of the community.  Having grown up in Northern Ireland during The Troubles that saw sect...

 This episode features a lively conversation with Rebekah Steele who shares insights from her recent book INDivisible: Radically Rethinking Inclusion For Sustainable Results, co-authored with Alison Maitland. We discuss why so many D&I initiatives fail to deliver genuine inclusion in organizations, the relationship between inclusion and belonging and why now more than ever a radical approach t...

Having designed and chaired over 20 change management conferences across North America I've seen and heard some of the continent's top change management experts.  Too many rely too heavily on models and loose sight of the people and the goals of change.  Not Jason.  While applying many of the principles of lean change he remains focussed on what works.  And if ever there was a time to fo...

I invited Jack Hourigan and Ellen Morita of Sway partners to join me for this episode because I knew they'd have some importance guidance for leaders and employees navigating the Covid Crisis. Faced with an unprecedented situation, with no clear end in sight we are all confronting new challenges in an environment of uncertainty.  Who doesn't need to improvise right now? But improv doesn&...

Prior to COVID 19, Employee Experience was gaining momentum as a priority for organizations across the economy.   This conversation includes defining employee and workplace experience, how it impact performance and employer brand and why it is even more important now than before the current crisis. Stela Lupushor, Chief Reframer at Reframe. Work and Anna Tavis, Academic Director, Human Capital Man...

As the Covid 19 crisis continues so more and more people are experiencing grief and have colleagues, family members or friends grieving some loss.  Whether it be the death of a loved one or some other loss such as financial security, health, job, status, the ability to travel or gather, grief has become ubiquitous. There are few more important conversations right now than how we deal with grief in...

This episode features change expert Dr Jen Frahm discussing the ways organizations can think about and plan for the post Covid future.  Together we discuss the four routes she sees for companies - Reinvention, Reintegration, Renewal and Revolt. While emphasizing that organizations have a choice for the route they take, the environment, resources and their culture will constrain the possibilities a...

Widely known for his best selling books, The Coaching Habit and The Advice Trap, as well as his high energy, inspiring conference presentations, Michael Bungay Stanier sits down for a discussion of the relevance of his work right now. In the current environment people are looking to their leaders and managers for some level of certainty.  This creates the ideal environment for the Advice Monster t...

Allan Kehler has been sharing his experiences with mental health and addiction with audiences across Canada for several years.  Though his speaking he has touched thousands of lives, inspiring many to "come out of the shadows", admit their struggles and begin a path of healing and health. His latest book, MENtal Health: It's Time to Talk focuses on men's mental health and featu...

Camille Dundas is a passionate advocate for diversity, inclusion, equity and belonging. She is also a consultant with one of Canada's top social media first and the editor-in-chief of ByBlacks.com, Canada’s #1 digital magazine serving Black Canadians. She has been recognized by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for her media activism and has led her team to win two national media awards. She is r...

It might seem ironic but the advent of the restrictions on society during the Covid 19 crisis, in particular "social distancing" has sparked a major conversation about the impact of loneliness and isolation on mental and physical health.  And as people find themselves working from home, unable to socialize with friends and family, so they are asking themselves - how can I maintain a sens...

In this episode I discuss grief in the time of Covid 19 with Brenda Marshall of the Solacium Group. Brenda is not a grief counsellor but rather consults with employers specifically on grief in the workplace.  Her insights have always been relevant and valuable but right now they are essential as work has changed dramatically and so has grief. Brenda shares her insights into this shift - from grief...

In this episode my guest isLiane Davey who is a leading keynote speaker and consultant on teams and author of The Good Fight.  I was expecting our conversation to focus on the subject of the book - how to manage conflict in teams and see it for what it is - a source of innovation and performance.  We certainly discussed this but listeners will also benefit from Liane's wise counsel on the are...

This episode features Manu Varma who works for Traction on Demand, a highly successful and fast growing B-Corp based in Vancouver that develops cloud based business solutions. While Manu has a day job he is also a frequent speaker at conferences across North America sharing his thoughts both on the business but also workplace culture and the central role of purpose to any organization.  In this co...