Building a genuine feedback culture within your sport starts at the top

Sport is often held aloft as an example of an environment where feedback flows easily. As a communications coach and management consultant working with business leaders across North America, I often publicly herald the virtues of the feedback culture I witnessed and experienced in the sport arena, and criticize the dearth of effective feedback habits in the corporate world. But using sport as the...Read more
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feedback
Communication
Leadership

Self-awareness – a key driver in developing well-rounded leaders

“First, know thyself.” -Socrates Self-awareness is the ability to recognize, understand and manage one’s feelings, thoughts and behaviours. To better manage the complexities of the current sport and social landscape, self-awareness is a foundational skill that is being increasingly recognized as an essential trait for all leaders. As renowned bestselling author Daniel Coleman of Emotional...Read more
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Leadership
self-awareness
NOVA Profile

Concussion in Sport - Translating Evidence into Action

From playgrounds to international podiums, millions of Canadians participate in sport every day. While the health and social benefits of participating in sport far outweigh any potential risks, there are risks of injury. Whether you’re a coach, administrator, parent or athlete, we all have a role to play in ensuring sport is as safe as possible, and in the event of an injury, that athlete...Read more
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Concussion
Leadership
Guidelines

Leading the Way: Working with LGBTQI2S Athletes and Coaches

The International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHO) is held annually on May 17 th to celebrate sexual and gender diversity. This year’s global theme is “Alliances for Solidarity” which is appropriate for our work in Canada to make sport more welcoming for those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer or questioning, intersex and two spirited (LGBTQI2S). The...Read more
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Homophobia
Gender diversity
Leadership
LGBTQ+

Strategic Planning - Creating your Blueprint for Success

In entrepreneurial circles, there’s a well-known book entitled “E-myth Revisited” by Michael Gerber in which a startling statistic is shared. Of the roughly one million new businesses that open in the United States every year, only 4% of those businesses make it to year ten. According to Michael Gerber’s research, successful companies and organizations that make it to year ten have something in...Read more
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Leadership
Strategic Planning

Using Sport to Accomplish Social Change

Have you heard the term Sport for Development and wondered what it means? Sport for development (also referred to as S4D and used interchangeably with sport for social change or sport for social objectives) involves tapping into what sport can do “intentionally” to address a range of community priorities, including community building, reduced youth criminal behavior, health promotion, Indigenous...Read more
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Development
Social Change
Leadership
Sport for Development
policy

Authentic Leadership – Tips for Becoming the Leader You Want to Be

Becoming a leader that others look up to is a goal worth pursuing . Authentic leadership is a form of leadership that transforms people, organizations, communities, and the world. Think about the great leaders you admire most. Chances are, these leaders maintain key positions within organizations because they are trusted, respected, and admired. They communicate clearly and authentically, relying...Read more
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Management
sport administration
Motivation
Leadership

Remote vs Onsite Employees

Workplaces have changed and provided more employee options over the last few year both in physical space design, the flexibility in hours employers provide, and the options to work from offsite or on. These changes are in response to employers trying to create the most productive work environment for their employees and to satisfy the growing need to accommodate a new generation looking for more...Read more
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onsite
remote
Employee
Administration
sport
Leadership

Next Level Coaching – Building an Effective Leadership Style

Coaches, in a nutshell, are educated leaders who influence people to work towards a specific goal. Effective leadership in sport requires knowing the best approach for assisting players based upon their level of skills and motivation, and transforming that knowledge into a dynamic environment for learning and success. There is no right way to be a leader but there are various behaviours and...Read more
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inclusion
diversity
Competition
Leadership
coach-athlete relationship
goal-setting
Motivation
Cross-Training
Innovation
Coaching

6 Steps to the Art of Delegation

Delegating tasks and responsibilities within an organization is crucial in creating successful workplaces. While it isn’t always easy, delegation done well can not only help your own workload and shows respect for your colleagues. While it may take more time up front, in the long run enabling other staff members to take over certain responsibilities not only frees up your time and head space, but...Read more
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Delegation
sport administration
Leadership