In the Strangest of Places!

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We sat in the hospital room waiting for my son to wake up from his four-hour surgery. It was a family gathering. The surgery had a fifty per cent chance of success and, if the outcome was  negative, he would require a major change in lifestyle and activities. The doctor finally arrived and informed us everything went much better than expected; the odds worked in my son’s favour. As he began to wake, though still under a good dose of morphine and in quite a trance of tranquility, we told him the good news.

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Don't Panic

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The time arrived for me to lead a workshop on “Building a High Performance Organization,” the second element of my agreed upon participation in the American Society for Training & Development – Middle East North Africa Conference. I was well prepared, quite anxious to start and confident my audience would be engaged. However, a few minor preparations were required before I could begin. The AV team had to attach the lapel microphone. I had to switch from the previous presenter’s computer to my own and test the visuals.

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Where Are You Going?

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For many years, I have kept a photograph that was taken of my father and me back in 1958. I was only two years old. My Dad is dressed in a suit and tie, looking very dapper. This was unusual attire for him, since he was a cabinet maker by trade and I can only remember him in overalls covered with wood dust. I was also dressed in a formal outfit that made me look like a miniature Sherlock Homes (a very English looking coat and hat). It’s no wonder I have taken such a liking to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s mystery writings. My Dad was holding my hand and we were walking away from an airplane that had its single main engine exposed. I later learned that the picture was taken at the then-existing USA Air Force Base in Stephenville, Newfoundland.

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The Decision that Will Change Your Life

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"Who do you say that I am?" If you or I were to ask that question to our friends, family and professional colleagues, how would they answer?

I find interesting the various approaches used to answer that seemingly simple question. How do you take a 37-year professional career and summarize it in a one-page biography? Or record it properly on LinkedIn? Or provide the relevant details in a CV or résumé? Or communicate history to impress the listener in a 60-minute interview?

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Valuing our Differences - Celebrating Diversity

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There are a number of various cultural, religious and secular celebrations at this time of the year. Some of these include:

November

National American Indian Heritage Month – November
All Saints' Day (Christian, Roman Catholic) – November 2
Dia de los Muertos "Day of the Dead" (Mexico, Latin America) – October 31-November 2
All Souls' Day (Roman Catholic) – November 2
Birthday of Baha'u'llah (Baha'i) – November 12
Diwali (Buddhist, Hindu) – November 3 
Hijri New Year – November 4-5 
Day of Ashura (Islamic, Muslim) – November 10

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Oops! I Forgot

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For most babies, the first two words out of their mouths are “Mama, Dada.” I believe for me it was “I forgot.” 

Merv, did you pick up your toys? I forgot. Merv, did you brush your teeth? I forgot. Did you make your bed? I forgot. Merv, did you have your parents sign your grade report? I forgot.

As I got older, matters didn’t improve. Merv, did you call your mother? I forgot. Merv, did you pick up the laundry? I forgot. Did you put out the garbage? I forgot. Did you buy milk? I forgot. Did you sign those cheques? I forgot. Do you know what day it is today? It’s our anniversary. Oops . . . I forgot.

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If Words Could Speak

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Most of us have heard the phrase, “The pen is mightier than the sword”. These words were never spoken more effectively than by 16-year-old Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani teenager shot by the Taliban for promoting education for girls. In her first public speech since the attack, speaking to world leaders, she demanded that all countries provide free but compulsory schooling for every child.

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