Jul. 8, 2018 The Ladder: Celeste Haldane: Today I found this article by Brenda Bouw in the Globe and Mail:
Celeste Haldane is the chief commissioner of the BC Treaty Commission and a practising lawyer with a degree in constitutional law from Osgoode Hall Law School. Ms. Haldane is also the first Indigenous chair of the Legal Services Society of BC and a director of the Brain Canada Foundation and the Hamber Foundation.
She is a member of the Sparrow family from Musqueam and is Tsimshian through Metlakatla, as well as a mother of three and grandmother of two.
She is a member of the Sparrow family from Musqueam and is Tsimshian through Metlakatla, as well as a mother of three and grandmother of two.
I grew up in B.C.’s Lower Mainland in the 1970s and lived there through most of my life. My parents worked as commercial fishers. I learned about hard work through them, and how it pays off. I also learned about how it’s important to be dedicated to what you love.
I also worked as a commercial fisher in my teens. It’s partly where my grit comes from. You get an understanding of what it’s like to work very hard. It can be tough and dangerous work. You can also have some lean years and some great years in that business.
I learned a lot from my father and his leadership skills. He was a captain of a boat. There’s a sense of freedom out on the water. You’re out there with just a few other people. You also learn how to crisis manage when you’re out there.
When I was a kid, I wanted to be like my dad and run my own boat. My parents had other ideas for me. They really wanted and encouraged me to go back to school. They believed the fishing industry wouldn’t be as sustainable over the longer term.
My mother was also a role model. She went back to university when I was in elementary school. She’s got a bachelor’s degree in criminology and psychology and recently completed a master’s degree in community planning.
I started thinking about being a lawyer in high school. I became interested in constitutional law while working as a consultant for the Musqueam Indian Band, where I worked on issues around treaties, land development and resources.
I later worked at the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council in Port Alberni, B.C. There was a lot of crisis management and situations where you were thrown in and had to provide not only the best advice but support as a human being.
I later worked at the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council in Port Alberni, B.C. There was a lot of crisis management and situations where you were thrown in and had to provide not only the best advice but support as a human being.
I am blessed to come from a family of strong leaders. The best advice I’ve been given is to “remember who you are and be proud of it.” I never lose sight of the long nights and the tough days that helped me get to where I am. It’s about having that tenacity.
When you’re given a role and given deep responsibility, don’t quit. Things will get tough. Sometimes you have to look inward for the solutions.
When you’re given a role and given deep responsibility, don’t quit. Things will get tough. Sometimes you have to look inward for the solutions.
I also believe strongly in leaving this place better than when you found it. As a mother and a grandmother, I take that to heart when it comes to how I lead.
One of the most important issues of our time right now is reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. There has to be an understanding, empathy and compassion. We also need to know where we are going. What is the vision and how will we get there? Right now, we have the political will. We may not always have it.
I work with incredible teams that do amazing work that I can rely on. As a leader, I believe collaboration is key. Consensus building is also important.
That said, you can’t make every decision by consensus. I have no issues making decisions, and tough decisions when I have to, that are in the best interests of the organization, my team and for our brand.
That said, you can’t make every decision by consensus. I have no issues making decisions, and tough decisions when I have to, that are in the best interests of the organization, my team and for our brand.
I would describe my management style as firm but fair. That’s my parenting style as well.
Not everyone loves me, and that’s okay. That’s the way it has to be. That means I’m doing my job.
Dialogue creates understanding. We may not always agree, but at least we can sit down and talk with each other. It’s also important to listen − not listen to speak or react, but just listen.
Working in Indigenous communities, you learn that skill very quickly if you want to get anything done and if you want to build relationships.
Working in Indigenous communities, you learn that skill very quickly if you want to get anything done and if you want to build relationships.
This interview has been edited and condensed.
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/careers/management/article-celeste-haldane-on-the-importance-of-listening-especially-when/
Speaking as an Indigenous Canadian, reconciliation works two ways and so does listening....The Indigenous activists keeping saying that non-indigenous Canadians should "shut up and listen." Well, what is good for the goose is also good for the gander. The activists should be listening to what informed and concerned Canadians are saying about the Indigenous file....
Herewith a second post - about "listening" ....
Yours truly spent his entire career in high tech R&D, design, transition to manufacturing, debugging hairy process failures, related IP systems - and herewith my experience:
"Listening" is indeed useful - but beware of the source and their understanding of the systemic issues within which they work.
In order to be told the honest unbiased truth one must have a non-confrontational personal relationship, and far deeper understanding and involvement to find out what REALLY goes on from A to Z .... Otherwise the input will be merely superficial, as will be any so called solutions - especially of the "more money kind" .
..
So my emphasis: unless there is informed and unbiased reporting of the many Indian Act failures, the hidden agendas and cultural disconnects .. there will be no point in merely listening to one side.
Once again the "reconciliation" issue comes up - and "we have the political will" ...
In the meantime reconciliation is NOT a concious issue with most Canadians - who are merely sick and tired of the Indian Act industry. And is there in fact any incentive for reconciliation if it means abandonment of special status, the interminable inquiries, the billions of $$$ poured into the bottomless pit of FN affairs. Who will the lawyers be billing after reconciliation ? Who will repair the drinking water infrastructure, housing, improve education achievement .. Where will the free money come from ?
I wished it were otherwise but it isn't !
The political will ? No we don't ! What exactly does reconciliation mean, what is the end point scenario if & when it has been achieved ?!
I wished it were otherwise but it isn't !
Aug. 15, 2018 "Ten ways to optimize a workation": Today I found this article by Nicole Galluci in the Globe and Mail:
Partner, Fuse Marketing Group.
Formally, a vacation is defined as a “suspended period from work.” In summer, many if not all of us are avidly seeking some much needed suspended time.
Vacations to putter at home, lay on a beach or explore new lands are for the lifestyle pages. The focus of this article is on the importance of taking a working holiday – aka a workation, or time away from the office for the sole purpose of thinking about your business.
Many are familiar with CEOs who take one week per quarter to plan their businesses in isolation from family and friends. These are not physical adventures to trek through foreign lands – rather, retreats that ensure amenities and creature comforts so the mind can focus on the priorities at hand. What are those priorities? Essentially, the betterment of one’s business.
I’ve taken such focused breaks, and even at times imposed them on my leadership team and the postgrad students I teach who are planning their next steps. In each case, when the intent matches the commitment to focus during the time away, the results are remarkable.
Working holidays offer much needed time to not only review and evaluate business and personal performance, but a chance to dream, plan and innovate away from distractions.
Working holidays offer much needed time to not only review and evaluate business and personal performance, but a chance to dream, plan and innovate away from distractions.
There are times in the year when “traditional” vacations make sense and we should take advantage of these. But in addition, as leaders we need to identify critical points in the year when we need to isolate ourselves and do some solid analysis and thinking.
Typical junctures are midway through a quarter, before and after annual planning and following year-end. Assess the critical times in your business and plan accordingly.
Typical junctures are midway through a quarter, before and after annual planning and following year-end. Assess the critical times in your business and plan accordingly.
With dates locked in the calendar, here are 10 ways to optimize the time:
Put on your “Out Of Office”
As a leader, you’re likely reachable even on holiday. Perhaps for time away, give your team a specific e-mail subject line to use if you are urgently needed. Otherwise, make it clear you are at a planning session – this is behaviour to be modelled.
No staycation: Get a room with a view
If you stay home, you may become absorbed in chores, be distracted by loved ones or other work. Seek a location with amenities, book a room that pleases you and enjoy the setting.
Go five stars
Why not? Utmost comfort is critical so that you stay focused. Make sure the environment affords worry-free self-care and maintenance. Room service needs to be a button away.
Bring the tools to be productive
Pack a small roller bag that contains everything you need: a laptop and charger, portable printer (either tape ideas to the wall or lay them on the floor or extra bed), sheets of blank paper, extra toner, green painter’s tape for the wall while working through ideas, coloured markers, pencils and post-it notes.
Go hard, then break
Research shows productivity is optimized when focused for 90 minutes followed by a 20-minute break. Follow this rule when working through a plan or writing; it works.
Take 20 minutes to refresh, refocus and regain any lost objectivity. Complement the 90-minute focus with a playlist of music – ideally binaural beats, which produce sound waves that can help achieve and maintain a focused state of mind.
Take 20 minutes to refresh, refocus and regain any lost objectivity. Complement the 90-minute focus with a playlist of music – ideally binaural beats, which produce sound waves that can help achieve and maintain a focused state of mind.
Have a plan
In the weeks and days preceding a workation, gather key documents and reading material and compile a list of things that you need to “sort through.” Upon arrival, lay everything in organized piles by topic and create the agenda for the week.
Structure the days
Rise early to scan the previous day’s work and check expectations for the day ahead. Go for a walk/run/workout, have a healthy breakfast and read something stimulating, related to what you’re working on.
Head into the first 90-minute session, pause only for the 20-minute breaks to exercise, walk or refuel. Add in fun personal activities (a massage, a trek) for self-care, inspiration or a personal reward for a job well done.
Head into the first 90-minute session, pause only for the 20-minute breaks to exercise, walk or refuel. Add in fun personal activities (a massage, a trek) for self-care, inspiration or a personal reward for a job well done.
Make it special
Eat well, light candles, set the table, get fresh flowers and ensure there are refreshments and treats at hand. The spirit should be comforted while the mind is on overdrive.
Disconnect, sleep
It’s unlikely that the news or social media postings will solve one’s business problems, so check these mediums selectively while away. Most importantly, rest. The mind continues to work while sleeping.
If there is a particular challenge to solve, paste it on the wall or lay it on the floor and do a scan before heading to bed. The mind will process while you’re asleep; in the morning, you will often have new ideas and perspectives.
If there is a particular challenge to solve, paste it on the wall or lay it on the floor and do a scan before heading to bed. The mind will process while you’re asleep; in the morning, you will often have new ideas and perspectives.
Book them
Block off days in the calendar to plan and take a workation. What I once believed was a luxury, I now realize is crucial; regular workations not only ensure the survival of my business, but allow it to thrive.
We need to make the time to disrupt our thinking and look at our business from new and different angles, and a workation may be the very best medicine.
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