I’ve seen too many emails that are long and unclear; the kind that make my head spin, compel me to shudder, and close them without dealing with them. I know this isn’t very -ish of me, but I am human after all. Our emails are designed to prompt action. The easier we make this action for our recipient, the more likely we are to prompt the results we want. But with email subjects spanning anything from corporate mergers to little league schedules, it’s hard to imagine one approach to fit this wide range of communications. Yet there is a multi-use approach to sending clear and concise emails that ..read more

Early in my career, I recall hearing a seasoned entrepreneur on the other side of the I made it curve describe what he valued most — flexibility. Many years of hard work had paid off, and he finally had the ability to choose what he did (or didn’t do), along with when and where he worked. I was enthralled. At the time, flexibility seemed like the ultimate aspiration; the freedom to choose what I worked on and when. No one looking over your shoulder. No one dictating deadlines. It all sounded so inspiring. But like many things in life, flexibility works best only in moderation. Yes, the benefit ..read more

Over the last two years, we have proven we can be quite productive remotely, thank you very much. We get to wear our comfy clothes, it’s easier to balance our personal life, and you can’t beat the commute. With all the benefits of virtual work, many are asking: exactly why do we need to come into the office? Painful commutes. Sitting on back-to-back video calls while in the office. Complicated childcare. Having to put on pants with zippers. It’s a list that leaves leaders struggling to entice people to come back into the office for any more than the absolute minimum. To be clear, I am an advoc ..read more

The arrival of fall always feels a bit like a brand-new year, and with that feeling comes the urge to regroup and refresh. One of the best ways you can do this is a strategy used by the most productive people to create the space we all need to achieve incredible results. What’s the strategy? It’s your Proactive Routine. I think of routines like closets. You may have the most organized closet, but as you acquire new items (make way for cozy fall sweaters!), you’re going to need to streamline and edit the rest of the closet. Likewise, we need to adapt our routines as our time demands change. Wat ..read more

Earlier this year, a survey from Cengage showed 90 percent of people who recently left their job, or were planning to do so, reported being “burned out and unsupported.” It’s clear this will have critical implications for the workplace. Unfortunately, burnout was already a problem before the pandemic, with 76 percent of employees experiencing burnout on the job at least sometimes, according to a Gallup study of over 12,000 full-time employees. Now, 87 percent of US employers say enhancing their mental health benefits over the next two years is a top priority. This is a step in the right direct ..read more

According to recently surveyed Canadian CEOs, 43% expect to adopt a hybrid work model. So, what are the long-term implications of this monumental shift – and how will this affect team dynamics and their results? We know from the data that productivity can be much higher when people work virtually. There is also promising research to show we can be very productive in a hybrid model – as long as we do it right. Here are some best practices you can use to stay productive and thrive as a hybrid worker. What areas do we need to focus on? There are five key areas individuals need to focus ..read more

Many teams have ridden the pendulum from in-office work to virtual work. Now, recent data shows 43% of Canadian CEOs expect to adopt a hybrid work model, and in the U.S. 74% of companies are reportedly using, or planning to use, a hybrid work model – which is the hardest of all three models. Teams are working hard to overcome hybrid work challenges with better communication and more virtual connections, so team members can maintain relationships even when they aren’t working in the same building. When we first transitioned to remote work, far too many people felt disconnected, leading to highe ..read more

Over the last year and a half, we have all had to adapt to changes in how and where we work. Many of us have done so while homeschooling children and caring for family members. Many more have had to grieve the loss of loved ones. And we have all felt firsthand the draining and detrimental effects of chronic stress on our mood and our health. Thankfully, there is more to the story, and we are now starting to see countries, cities – and workplaces – take the first steps toward recovering from the pandemic. And while the pandemic’s devastating effects still reach far beyond the health aspects of ..read more

No matter what age and stage we’re at, the fall season always seems to arrive with its own unique energy as we settle into new routines. I like to use this time of year to reset and recharge my own energy and productivity. After all, the first of the year is not our only chance for self-improvement. There are many opportunities for us to pause and reflect throughout a given year. By adopting an approach of continuous renewal, we keep ourselves focused on all we have yet to achieve rather than dwelling on what we haven’t yet accomplished. And when it comes to achieving our big goals and focusin ..read more

Remote work. Hybrid work. Pandemic burnout. The pandemic has been a catalyst for us to rethink the world of work, while simultaneously prompting many workers to reflect on what is important in their lives – and how to spend more time on what matters most to them. Burnout was already a problem before the pandemic. Seventy-six per cent of employees reported experiencing burnout on the job at least sometimes, according to a pre-pandemic Gallup study of over 12,000 full-time employees. These alarming levels cost organizations across sectors an estimated $125 to $190 billion annually. The uncertain ..read more