What were they thinking? The Canadian Women’s Olympic Soccer team coaches got caught using a drone to spy on the New Zealand Team. Apparently, they were never taught the ‘Trending on Social Media’ test; also known as the ‘Front Page of the Newspaper’ test.

Most Canadians would agree that ethical behaviour is simple — do the right thing even when no one is looking.

If you’re unsure what the right thing is, apply the Trending on Social Media test.

In other words, ask yourself if… More Posted on 07-29-24

Time to Move into the Driver’s Seat?

This tweet by a Toronto resident made me laugh while highlighting a key reason why ill-informed policies and decisions are too often implemented.

‘Toronto Transit Committees are run by people who rarely ride the bus. Parks are operated by people with backyards. The island ferries are managed by people who spend long weekends at the cottage. Toronto’s decision-makers need a reboot.”

Toronto isn’t the only community experiencing a disconnect between decision-makers in positions of power and the actual users of public service.

Early signals also suggest… More Posted on 07-24-24

Sometimes Even Miracles Need New Strategies

I sometimes catch myself resisting change, hoping for improvement and different results.  It’s not unlike the cowardly lion in The Wizard of Oz chanting, ‘I do believe in miracles, I do, I do, I do.’

Recently, though, it seems that governments, businesses, and organizations are engaging in more of that same kind of thinking as they try to solve complex, unprecedented local and global challenges.

While they might believe in miracles, different results are unlikely when the same kind of leadership, within the same silos and systems, and the same policy, funding, and strategies… More Posted on 07-22-24

The Power and Pride of a Unique Horse

Some years ago, my work took me to the Yukon for the first time. As we approached Whitehorse from the airport, I was surprised to see a stunning sculpture of a majestic and powerful horse rearing up on its hind legs on the hilltop overlooking the city.

Upon getting closer, it was even more interesting to see that the regal, almost 3.5-metre horse was cleverly composed of a compilation of scrap metal. Not just any scrap, but as I later learned, scrap made up of… More Posted on 07-17-24