The news is full of stories of leaders; thoughtful, capable, accountable, inspiring leaders, and divisive, authoritative, polarizing leaders. Leaders succeeding, leaders failing, leaders being toppled. When we talk about leadership, it seems we each have different ideas and images that come to mind about what constitutes a leader, and what makes a good or great leader.

In a recent workshop I facilitated with a group of senior leaders, I asked “what is a leader?” I heard things...

Photo credit: torontohhs.org

You know those sayings that make light of hard or challenging times, like “Look on the bright side”? Or “Every cloud has a silver lining?” I’ve recently been given the “privilege” of working hard to find that silver lining.

My partner in life and work, my best friend and dearest companion, recently suffered a life threatening injury. My entire focus was on him—what did he need, how was he feeling, how could I be...

Photo credit: National Post

Over the last week I have been watching a situation unfold and rapidly escalate in the City of Calgary. I think there are some big questions that should be asked about the nature of public engagement, and the ways in which citizens and government intersect.

In short form, it goes like this:

• The City of Calgary did public consultation in 2010 on long range transportation visioning and planning. Then they announced a plan for a $40 million South West Transit Way...

Photo credit: midlifemomentsdotme

We live in a dichotomous world. A world where we divide and polarize issues and people as either “for” or “against”. A world where the “haves” and the “have nots” get further and further apart. A world where those with power struggle mightily to hold on to it, and those without, demand a voice. It is also a world where the opportunity to connect, collaborate and cooperate is increasingly growing, and where many...

Photo Credit: Stephani Roy McCallum

I recently had the privilege of teaching back to back sessions of IAP2's Emotion, Outrage and Public Participation 2 day training program to large groups of participants from the same organization. The course is designed to help people identify and understand the triggers for outrage and high emotion, to assess the potential for opposition, reaction and concern, and to plan and implement public engagement processes and approaches designed to support people...

The unlikely combination of spaghetti, marshmallows and masking tape reminded us about the power of connection recently.

We all need human connection. The kindness, compassion, and generosity that allows us to be seen and to see others. The power that comes from being linked to others in common understanding, meaning or purpose. The energy and momentum that gets created when we are part of a group when we are understood, the sheer of joy of when things “work”.

In our work with...

For a LONG time, I’ve been working with, applying and thinking about the IAP2 Spectrum. It’s a powerful tool for public engagement and has been a standard in the practice for 25 years. Built on a foundation of Arnstein’s Ladder, it can support understanding, provide focus to a process, build commitment, and clarify expectations.

I’ve been a licensed trainer of the IAP2 5 day Foundations in Public Participation training program since 2005, and an Assessor, Coach and...

I’ve spent my career so far working with communities and organizations to connect to each other, work together, resolve issues, and make more informed decisions. With a life’s work focusing on transforming conflict, reducing controversy and embracing and working with high emotion, I’ve been lucky to be part of some amazing projects, and work with some amazing people.

But…I’ve spent the last few years pondering some questions about the long lasting,...