Author Archives: Matthew

Perspective

Posted ago by Matthew

Earlier this week I had a meeting with an entrepreneur.  He’s run a number of businesses and now he’s developing a community building app.  I always enjoy meeting with him because he has a positive “can do” attitude and is …

Don’t just write goals… achieve them!

Posted ago by Matthew

I was chatting with a friend at lunch the other day and he asked me my thoughts on traditional goal setting.  The situation is that there’s so much focus on writing the right kind of goals.  You’ve probably heard of …

Creating a Personal Vision Statement

Posted ago by Matthew

What is a personal vision statement? A personal vision statement is the road map that guides us to the destination we have set for ourselves.  Just like a road map it helps us see further into the future than we …

Six Steps to a Win-Win Result

Posted ago by Matthew

If your work or personal life is anything like mine there will be conflicts.  I remember one time as young boy in Australia watching my parents in a heated argument.  I started crying and ran off to my bedroom.  A …

Recognition

Posted ago by Matthew

As a parent I know the importance of showing love to my children.  It’s one matter to love, it’s entirely another to show it consistently.  When I coach or train my clients I often ask the question, “Is it enough to …

Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert B. Cialdini

Posted ago by Matthew

Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert B. Cialdini As a life-long learner I’m always looking for new books to read.  Sometimes the books aren’t new to market, but they’re new to me.  This is one such book.  Written back …

Communication Filters

Posted ago by Matthew

For the first time in a while someone had trouble understanding what I was saying, and it was a function of my accent.  After being away from Australia for the last ten and half years my accent has morphed into …

A Timely Pep Talk

Posted ago by Matthew

Pep talk – n. Informal A speech of exhortation, as to a team or staff, meant to instill enthusiasm or bolster morale. I’m pretty sure we all know what a pep talk is.  We would typically see it as something …

Switch – Chip Heath and Dan Heath

Posted ago by Matthew

About two weeks ago I was sitting by myself at a cafe reading, when a man comes up to me and asks “What do you think of the book?” I was reading Chip Heath and Dan Heath’s book Switch: How …

Commitment

Posted ago by Matthew

Sometimes it takes a long time to learn the value of commitment.  This one took me more than five years. About eight years ago, my wife and I committed to volunteering with Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Calgary.  It’s …