An Apology to Learn From

Take a page from Tiger’s playbook on this one. I was able to see Tiger Wood’s apology on TV the other day. I, along with millions of others, were curious about what he would say. The general consensus before hand was that it would be very very short, cryptic and dissatisfying in not addressing the …

Restrained, Wise Compassion

It was 20 years ago this week that Nelson Mandela was released from prison. I enjoyed hearing the retrospectives of that time on the radio this week, and so I was extra motivated to find a window of time to go see the movie, Invictus on Friday. Really glad I did. I’m not much a …

Authenticity has staying power

Everybody is three people. We’re who we think we are, we’re who the audience thinks we are, and we’re who we really are, and the closer those three people are together, the longer your career can last. Kenny Rogers, as told to The Winnipeg Free Press, February 6th, 2010 Hmmm…thinking that he’s not just talking …

Roses and Thorns–Do You Know How You are Perceived?

You wouldn’t think I would be one to add fuel to the fire that mocks therapists, and adds leveraget to those who think cynically about counselling/psychotherapy. But, I’m let you all in on some potentially incriminating information, for a reason… As Dr. Norcross was trying to help us think realistically about ourselves as therapists at …

How do I love thee…

Isn’t it nice to be loved? For big reasons, small reasons, or even no reason at all, other than you are you. The craving we have to be loved and appreciated, validated and enjoyed is a universal human phenomenon. There’s something quite lovely about being as appreciated as enthusiastically, as richly, as authentically, as practically …

Relationship versus Task?? It Depends

It’s a delicate balance—relationships. In lots of ways. I’ve spent a coupla weeks talking to first year Master’s level Occupational Therapy students–teaching them how to interview clients. So, after I talked to the students about these things, they had a chance to go to the Clinical Learning and Simulation Facility at the University of Manitoba …

Uncovering the Sting

The sinister creep of self doubt has a firm hold on me…whether I want it or not (and, for the record, I don’t). Had a conversation a few days ago. A well meaning colleague decided she should set me straight on a few things. In other words, she gave me some advice on how I …

Expectations after Failure

The implications of “knowing” what to expect after a mistake ripple. All this blogging about mistakes reminded me of an incident that occured some time ago. I realize that most of life isn’t this obvious, and that the back and forth of relationships produce much more subtle exchanges, but it will allow me to illustrate …

When Mistakes Strengthen

The handling a mistake is often more remembered than the mistake itself. It was a beautiful day yesterday morning…and my first class of the year at University. I’ve taught this class before, but it was still hard to “get into it” when finally the weather seemed summery. I rode my bike to school to enjoy …

Candid Honesty-A Gift

No one likes being challenged–but not being challenged can be incredibly dangerous. Research is showing that the trend towards celebrity status CEO’s of companies can potentially lead to their downfall. As a CEO become a celebrity and an increasingly powerful head of the organization, the realtionship with the Human Resources department changes–the amount of discretion …