VALUES DRIVEN ACHIEVEMENT BLOG

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"Share stories and intelligent insights through your heart and watch how your influence grows."
featured image for Master Motivational Speaking: Insights From 18+ Years of Practice

Master Motivational Speaking: Insights From 18+ Years of Practice

Some speeches change the way you think. Some just help you stay awake after a bad night’s sleep. The best ones? They hit you so hard that you rethink your entire approach to life and leadership. For me, that speech came from Sir Ken Robinson. It was after my Olympic gold medal, after my record-breaking […]

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"Leadership is an ever-evolving position."
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The Leadership Legacy of Mike "Coach K" Krzyzewski: Values-Driven Leadership in Action

When it comes to values-driven leadership, few figures stand out more prominently than Mike "Coach K" Krzyzewski. His approach to leadership, as documented through his work, offers invaluable lessons in aligning personal and organizational values to achieve extraordinary success. MasterClass Insights In his MasterClass on values-driven leadership, Coach K delves into the core principles defining […]

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"The time is always right to do what is right."
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How to Spot (and Fix) Common Violations in Values Words

Values shape the decisions we make and the actions we take. But not all values words are created equal. Many lists are riddled with grammatical errors, conceptual missteps, and words that fail to clearly communicate a stable, intrinsic quality of character. At the bottom, I've place a breakdown of the most common pitfalls and how […]

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"Growth sucks cash. This is the first law of entrepreneurial gravity."
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Your Company Is Worth What Someone Will Pay—So Make It Worth More

Most business owners assume their company’s value is tied to book value, net present value, or industry multiples. But here’s the truth: Your company is worth exactly what someone is willing to pay for it. A buyer doesn’t care about what you think it’s worth. They care about the risk, opportunity, and scalability of the […]

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"What's Your Networking Strategy Missing?"
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How to Mobilize Influencers for Your Career Growth: The Leadership Champion Framework

Who are the hidden influencers guiding your success, and how can you leverage them? In today's world, it's not just what you know; it's who you know and how you leverage those relationships. Building a solid network is essential for career success, and the "Leadership Champion Framework" provides a playbook for connecting with four types […]

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"Focus is everything"
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Think and Live Like a Gold Medalist: Lessons in Leadership, Performance, and Values-Driven Achievement

High performance isn’t an accident. It’s a combination of focused effort, strong values, and a relentless commitment to growth. In this interview, I dive deep into the mindset, habits, and leadership strategies that shaped my journey from Olympic gold medalist to executive coach, keynote speaker, and leadership consultant. Whether you’re an athlete, entrepreneur, or corporate […]

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"Strive not to be a success but of value."
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The Power of Mentorship: How Giving Time Creates Values-Driven Leaders

REPRINTED FROM UVIC TORCH MAGAZINE When they first met, “Little Adam” was an open-hearted eight-year-old boy hungry for a male role model. His mother, Lorraine Pawlivsky-Love (BFA ’00, MEd ’05), was a UVic Fine Arts student, struggling to raise two small children alone. “Big Adam,” better known as Adam Kreek, was then 22, a UVic geography […]

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"At any particular time, leaders are operating from either fear or love."
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Leading Above and Below the Waterline: A Conscious Leadership Approach

Leadership isn't easy. Sometimes, you have to make the hard calls, challenge the status quo, or hold people accountable in ways that make them uncomfortable. But there's a fine line between effective leadership and reactive leadership. The question is: are you leading with conscious awareness, or are you slipping into patterns of control, avoidance, or […]

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"Leadership means making others better as a result of your presence and making sure that impact lasts in your absence."
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From Engineer to Visionary: How One Leader Transformed His Leadership Style

Transactional leadership is a management style focused on structure, performance metrics, and efficiency. Transformational leadership is about inspiration, vision, and empowerment. It moves beyond tasks and metrics to create cultures of innovation and long-term commitment. We need to balance both leadership styles.

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"Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory. Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat."
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From Chaos to Clarity: How One Leadership Team Elevated Their Business Strategy

The Challenge: A Business in Need of Strategic Focus Leadership is not about reacting to problems—it’s about steering an organization toward long-term success. But even the best teams can get stuck in the day-to-day grind, losing sight of the big picture. At a recent two-day strategic retreat in Victoria, British Columbia, a leadership team from […]

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"Competence is a bare minimum. Communication is everything."
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5 Ways to Communicate More Effectively

Effective communication is a key skill for successful leadership. Here are five habits you can implement immediately to improve communication with your team. 1. Listen The most important thing to consider when you’re communicating with your team is your ability to listen. Communication is primarily listening and then verifying what you thought you heard. 2. […]

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"Once you learn to read, you will be forever free."
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7 inspirational books that can change your life

I get tremendous value and enjoyment from reading and listening to inspirational books. I glean insights and ideas from each author and develop new skills to be a better speaker, management consultant, and trainer. Fun fact: Reading is also a great way for us to reduce stress! Below is a list of seven inspirational books that […]

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"Ambivalence is both wanting and not wanting the change. "
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Motivational Interviewing Works Best for Executive Leaders when you use all 4 OARS

Why is it necessary to develop skills to lead people through change? Shouldn’t people naturally change on their own when they see change is needed? Often, as leaders and managers, we will give advice expecting our colleagues to change. Yet, we can see that the prescriptive method doesn’t work that well. Motivational interviewing is an effective way […]

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"You can' keep blaming somebody else for your dysfunction."
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Take Responsibility - Oprah Winfrey Quote

I’ll admit, I have a love/hate reaction when I consume Oprah’s work. I find her celebrity at times trumps her message and distracts me from engaging with her media conglomerate's content. Her influence, however, has been truly remarkable. She has empowered so many to live better lives. Ultimately I believe in her authenticity and her […]

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"People aren't resistant to change; they're protecting something deeply important to them."
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Immunity to Change: Transforming Leaders Who Drive Results (Without the Wake of Disaster)

Why is it so hard to change—even when we know it’s essential? Let’s dive into the Immunity to Change framework with real-world examples and questions that can help leaders—not just perform but thrive sustainably.

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"Reality is not as frightening as the monsters your mind creates."
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Separate Fact From Feeling

When debriefing post success or failure, are you separating your feelings from facts? One of the biggest mistakes we can make while reflecting upon past events is to justify our feelings with emotional reasoning. Just because you feel something, does not make it true. Or, just because something is true, doesn’t mean that your feelings […]

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"Sport changes lives. Don't take it away."
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Adam supports Water Polo Canada's sentencing of Nathan Kotylak

Canadian water polo player, Nathan Kotylak, who was shown in some notorious images from the Vancouver Stanley Cup riot has been banned from the Canadian national team for two years. Kotylak was handed the suspension by Water Polo Canada's discipline panel, which means he will not compete at the 2012 Olympic Games. Adam had argued […]

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"Rowing teaches you that failure is not the opposite of success—it’s part of the process."
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Seek Failure Rowing Machine Workout

What is conscious failure, and how can it help you?  The following physical exercise will grow your body, mind and spirit. This rowing machine workout builds your anaerobic capacity, increases your lactic threshold, boosts your oxygen-carrying capacity, boosts mitochondrial density, increases capillary density, allows your muscles to hold more glycogen, burns off excess stress hormones […]

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"The safety of the people shall be the highest law."
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Gold Medal Safety Conference Keynote

An Olympic-sized metaphor and a Bermuda Triangle incident help to keep safety culture fresh “Safety performance is not a priority. Priorities change. Safety is non-negotiable. It’s a core value. Every day, we need to eat, sleep, get dressed, work hard, get paid, and be safe. We lead safe teams because we care. We build safe […]

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"Business and executive coaching is quite similar to athletic coaching."
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Adam Kreek on Leadership, Success and Wellbeing

Adam was recently interviewed for a book chapter about his perspectives on Leadership, Success, and Wellbeing.  The following is an excerpt from this interview. David: I’d like to start off by asking you about failure. It’s something we all experience, yet often find so difficult to overcome. You faced massive failure at the 2004 Olympic […]

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"One of the things we often miss in succession planning is that it should be gradual and thoughtful."
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Why Succession Planning is Critical

What is Succession Planning? Succession planning is the key to solving one of the most common challenges organizations face: what happens when a key leader leaves? Without a plan, the transition can disrupt momentum, morale, and even your long-term goals. This blog provides practical steps and tools to help you navigate the process with clarity […]

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"First-time managers are responsible for getting work done through others rather than on their own."
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The Leadership River: Navigating Growth as a Leader

Using the Leadership River as a guide, leaders can better understand their growth trajectory. For instance:

Are you leading individual contributors or managers? Adjust your values to emphasize developing others.

Moving from managing one team to a portfolio of teams? Start appreciating the success of others over personal wins.

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"When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves."
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What is the Locus of Control?

When something goes wrong, it’s natural to cast blame on the perceived cause of the misfortune. An individual can cast that blame internally or externally. This is related to a psychological construct known as the locus of control. Locus of control refers to the degree to which an individual feels that a sense of agency […]

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"Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances."
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Focus on What You Can Control

Insights from a concentration camp If you haven’t read Viktor Frankl’s book, “Man’s Search For Meaning”, you should. Frankl, a trained psychiatrist, writes about the psychology of imprisonment in a Nazi death camp during the second world war. He describes how he found beauty in the most horrid of circumstances. The most memorable part of […]

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"Keep moving your body. Its the only one you got!"
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Inches: The 7 minute workout

I’m often asked what I do to stay fit now that I’m no longer training for the Olympics or adventure expeditions. My focus has shifted to growing my business ventures, so that I can serve my growing family. In truth, compared to my athletic career, I ‘workout’ quite minimally. Instead I aim to incorporate physical […]

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"Success is not a finish line. Failure is not the end. Have the courage to strive again."
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The Kreek Way - A Rowing Journey

Two days – and the decisions they contain – have the utmost meaning in a competitive athlete’s life. First is the day you commit and give up everything to pursue your sport. The second day is when you finally end your path of elite athletics. As I reflect upon my sporting career, one lesson stands […]

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"Safety is the key to excellence in everything you do."
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Safety Case Study - Paul O'Neill

Please enjoy this well-written safety culture case study by Rodd Wagner Paul O’Neill’s tenure at the helm of Alcoa is now the stuff of legend. Introduced to a group of investors and analysts in October 1987, he didn’t talk about revenue and expenses and debt ratios and earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization. “I […]

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"The greatest point of growth occurs right below your limit."
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I Seek Failure: Adam Kreek at TEDx Victoria

I Seek Failure: Why the Edge of Your Limits Is Where You Need to Be Most people run from failure. I chase it. When I stood on the TEDx Victoria stage in 2013, I shared a message that had shaped my journey as an Olympic athlete, an adventurer, and a leader: If you want to […]

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"Always take a stand for yourself, your values. You're defined by what you stand for."
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Values vs. Principles: The Small Distinction That Makes a Big Difference

Values and principles are often used interchangeably, but they are not the same—and understanding their difference can profoundly impact how individuals and organizations function.

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"The key to success is to focus our conscious mind on things we desire, not things we fear."
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Empower Your Team to Decide: The 20 Idea Method for Faster, Smarter Decisions

High-powered tech executives and engineers often find themselves caught in the weeds of decision-making. To scale up leadership, we need to delegate decision-making. My client, we'll call him Tom, was the head engineer in a fast-growing tech company and was no exception. He had a talented team of 30 people, but their hesitance to take […]

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"We can't hold onto the past. We have to let go."
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4 Steps to Use Failure as Your Stepping Stone

KreekSpeak Mental Toughness Tip: Are You Letting Go? We’re often told to “let it go”. Bad relationships. Toxic people. Negative feelings. Mistakes. Failure. But how do we actually practise ‘letting go’? I’m no stranger to failure in my personal, athletic and professional life. I even did a TEDx talk on the power of non-attainment (Adam […]

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"Having chronic pain is horrible. It's a complete mind-twister"
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Back Pain Recovery Strategies

I love being active. When I am away from the desk, the computer, the phone and the conference room, I still dream of adventures into the ocean and up snow-scraped mountains. I exercise regularly because movement keeps me focused, smart and happy. I love the feel of my muscles after a good weight pump, the sublime […]

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"A goal properly set is halfway reached."
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How to Set SMART Goals

If your goals aren’t working, maybe it’s not you—it’s your system. SMART goals can transform vague aspirations into actionable outcomes. Let’s dig in. In case you’re rusty, SMART is an acronym for Specific, Measurable, Action-Oriented, Relevant, and Time-bound. At least, this is the variation of the goal-setting acronym we endorse at ViDA. Interestingly, this acronym […]

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"Effective onboarding builds a great organization. Yet most companies do a terrible job."
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Onboarding Blueprint for Managerial Success

To make your onboarding process as seamless as possible, we’ve created a customizable template to guide managers in building their six-month plans

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"Leadership is not a position or a title, it is action and example."
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The 7 Responsibilities of Leadership

As a leader, you must be many things to many different people. The further up the organization you move, the more you will need to refine your ability to balance effectively between different roles. If you do not manage this dance effectively, you will face the common consequences of ineffectiveness, frustration, lagging motivation and even […]

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"The best things in life aren't things."
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The Dangers of Toxic Goal Setting

As sports fans, we often celebrate athletes and admire them for their beauty, fame and wealth. But in my experience, I've come to know beauty, fame and wealth as toxic goals. These toxic three don't drive the most successful sports figures. Rather, our heroes' external success is more often the result of deep athlete-coach relationships and a […]

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"Working together is success."
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Henry Ford on working together as a team

Henry Ford said, “Coming together is the beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.” He knew something that took researchers years to formalize—teams don’t perform instantly. Before a team hits its stride, it has to go through the messy middle. First, the team forms. Then, it storms. Clashes happen. Egos flare. People push […]

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"Move not unless you see an advantage."
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Sharks, Pirates, Pareto and Risk

How Sharks, Pirates and Pareto can help to manage risk in the face of change Your organization is in the midst of change. A merger? Acquisition? Downturn? Disruption? Yet, you are someone who makes it happen. You are not someone who stands idly by to let change roll on top of you. Here is a […]

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"Letting someone go is hard, but leaving them in a role where they cannot succeed is harder."
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How to Finish Gracefully in a Dismissal: A Case Study in Leadership

When preparing for a dismissal, it’s easy to focus on the prep and execution while overlooking one of the most critical aspects—the finishing move. How you conclude the conversation can define the lasting impression you leave, for better or worse. That’s why we’ve designed a simple process to help leaders navigate dismissals effectively and gracefully. […]

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"Fear of missing a deadline is motivating. Fear of each other is problematic."
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Thoughts on Psychological Safety

Psychological Safety - sīkəˈläjəkəl ˈsāftē Psychological safety is the most studied enabling condition in group dynamics and team learning research.  Psychological safety is a shared feeling of safety, experienced by each team member.  In psychologically safe teams, team members feel accepted and respected. In Project Aristotle, Google found this quality to be of most importance in high-functioning […]

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"Plans are only good intentions unless they immediately degenerate into hard work."
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Strategic Deployment

  What can Japanese efficiency teach us about turning vision into action? How do we direct an organization to achieve more worthwhile goals? You can be highly productive at the wrong things, and where will that bring you? Hoshin Kanri is a step by step planning method used to ensure that the different functional areas […]

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"It is better to be of value."
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Incomplete List of Value Words

I'm compiling a list of value words. This list is not complete, not organized and not codified. Each of the value words below has been checked over to ensure they follow the grammatical rules and the general rules of how we like to think about value words at ViDA AcceptanceAbundanceAchievementAccountabilityAccuracyAdaptabilityAgencyAlertnessAltruismAmbitionAmusementAssertivenessAwarenessBalanceBeautyBoldnessBraveryBrillianceCalmCandorCertainty CharityChallengeClarityCleanlinessCollaborationCommitmentCommunityCompassionCompetenceComfortConfidenceConnectionConvictionConsistencyContributionCooperationCourageCourtesyCreativityCuriosityDedicationDependabilityDeterminationDevotionDignityDisciplineDiscoveryEnduranceEnergyEffectivenessEfficiencyEmpathyEnjoymentEnthusiasmEqualityExcellenceExperienceExplorationFairnessFidelityFocusFortitudeFreedomFriendshipFulfillmentFunGenerosity GeniusGoodnessGraceGratitudeGrowthHappinessHarmonyHonestyHonourHopeHumilityImaginationIndependenceInnovationInsightIntelligenceIntegrityIntrospectionIntuitionJoyJusticeKindnessKnowledgeLeadershipLoveLoyaltyPatiencePeacePerseverance ProsperityPurposeResilienceRespectResponsibilitySensitivitySerenityServiceSimplicityStrengthTeamworkTemperanceThoughtfulnessTransparencyTrustTruthUnityValorVisionWisdomWonder

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"Be grounded. Influence more."
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Increase your influence through grounding

Grounded - ˈgroundid Well balanced and sensible. An electrical circuit that is connected to the earth. How do you visualize the feeling of being grounded? Bob Babinski told me about his airport experiment, and I leaned in to hear more. He’s been practicing a subtle technique that influences the behaviour of strangers. On my flight home, […]

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"When we lose our connection to each other, we lose our strength."
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Harness the Power of Loneliness

loneliness |ˈloʊnlin1s| A complex and usually unpleasant emotional response to isolation or lack of companionship How do you handle your feelings of loneliness? I was reminded of the power of loneliness when I once picked up a hitchhiker in northern Saskatchewan. After weeks of solo travel, delivering leadership training and coaching in Canada's north, I was […]

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"Clarity of language births results we can feel."
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New ViDA Rule: "That person is so full of…" Test

I’ve been baffled by the chaos surrounding values words—the grammar fails, the contradictions in literature, and the internet's endless misuse. So, I’ve taken on a mission: to define clear rules that cut through the confusion and unlock the true power of values. When we clarify these words, we don’t just gain clarity—we gain a tool […]

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"Good values are like a magnet – they attract good people."
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Values Rulebook: A Comprehensive Guide to Living in Alignment with Your Core Values

The ViDA Values Framework: A Complete Guide to Defining and Living Your Values At ViDA (Values-Driven Achievement), we define values as states and traits that drive behaviour, decisions, and human interactions. They are not abstract goals but the lived experience of who we are in the present. Values are the compass that guides us toward […]

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"People think that stories are shaped by people. In fact, it's the other way around."
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How Stories Build Culture and Align Values

Stories connect values to lived experiences. They are more than entertainment; they’re the threads that weave cultures together and align collective values. Research validates this power: narratives promoting altruism lead to observable shifts in empathy and prosocial actions. In one study, participants who read kind, caring stories were significantly more likely to help a researcher […]

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"This journey never would have been possible if it wasn’t for the support of so many people."
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Olympic Professionals: Find your grit, Be a Pro

Amateur ˈ|amətər| A person who engages in a particular activity simply for the love of it, and is not paid for their work. - Professional |prəˈfeSHənl| A person who is competent and skilled in a particular activity, and is paid for their work. Are you a Professional? When the modern Olympic Games were founded in […]

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"Get moving. You'll feel better."
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Shrink that spare tire by swinging a real one

As your friendly neighbourhood Olympic has-been, I'm often asked to share my favourite exercise routines. My first suggestion is always the same: pursue joy in movement, and joy in effort. The more you look for these two sources of joy, the fitter you will become. Plus, you're much more likely to stick with a joyful […]

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"A strong strategy today is the foundation of tomorrow’s competitive advantage."
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Unleashing Strategic Success: Why Every Organization Needs a Strong Strategic Plan

The real cost of inaction? Millions in lost revenue, turnover, and opportunities. Whether you operate in Victoria, Vancouver, Seattle, or San Francisco, a clear strategic plan isn’t an expense—it’s your ultimate business growth tool. Organizations thrive when they adopt one crucial element—a robust and well-executed strategic plan. Suppose you’re a tech hub in San Francisco, […]

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"The most important fitness thing to do is SOMETHING. ANYTHING."
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Garage workouts cut costs, build muscle

Jerred Moon, 28, has a lofty goal: To squat-lift 500 pounds — in his garage. Moon's garage gym was born out of necessity after he got married in 2010. Despite dreams of becoming an officer in the United Stats Air Force after graduating from military college, he found himself out of work for a few months. […]

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"The secret of life is giving"
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Former Olympian used ADHD to his advantage

By Khalid Magram, QMI Agency Monday, February 22, 2010 With the spotlight on Canadian Olympians on the podium, one former gold medallist is using the attention to highlight the upside of a stigmatized disorder - ADHD. "I found that the disorder isn't a negative infliction, but it gives positive energy as well," said Adam Kreek, […]

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"Sleep is the foundation of health and performance."
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Sleep can be secret weapon to gain competitive edge

Weekly sleep average is more important than daily number By Adam Kreek, CBC Sports  Dec 08, 2015 4:27 PM ET One of the keys to overcoming challenges I've faced — rowing across the Atlantic, raising two young children, overcoming an addiction to Dragon's Den — has been some well-planned shut-eye. As an Olympic rower, I knew that quality sleep would help […]

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"Stress is natural and inevitable when you're living a life that's connected with things you care about."
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Transform the Gift of Stress Into Positive Action

How do you view stress in your life? Is it something that you avoid and fear? Or, do you harness stress’ powerful energy to be the momentum that drives your performance energy? Today, we show you how to manage your stress and turn nervous energy shocks into positive action. Exposure to stress is unavoidable. Yet, […]

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"Building a team takes action by you, the leader."
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4 Essential Pillars to Build an Environment Primed for Business Growth

You can grow a business that inspires team members to actively drive your vision forward. Howard Schulz, Richard Branson, Arianna Huffington are just three examples of people who led their teams to greatness. However, and not surprisingly, creating an ideal environment primed for business growth will not happen by accident. Nor will it happen overnight. […]

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"Minimize the risk of ruin when managing risk"
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Cluster Benefits

The Clustered Science of Non-Attainment Research tells us that people who set goals are happier and more successful. Professors who set goals earn tenure faster, employees who set goals get larger raises, and students who have goals set for them learn up to 250 percent faster than those who do not. When we are achieving […]

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"Get into the wilderness. Explore. You'll find challenge. You'll find yourself."
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Lessons in Values-Driven Achievement: Adam Kreek’s NBC Dateline Story of Survival, Leadership, and Resilience

On Sunday, April 13th, NBC’s Dateline aired a documentary about my Trans-Atlantic Ocean Expedition—and the harrowing capsize that nearly cost my crew and me our lives. After 73 days at sea, just 10 days short of our destination in Miami, Florida, we faced the ultimate test of resilience in the heart of the Bermuda Triangle. […]

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"Values become your destiny"
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How Values Shape Behavior and Decision-Making Across People and Things: A Two-Dimensional Framework

How Values Shape Behavior and Decision-Making Across People and Things: A Two-Dimensional Framework Values are at the heart of every organization’s culture and strategy, influencing everything from personal behaviours to tactical decisions. At ViDA, we work with organizations to ensure their values are clearly defined and consistently applied. Well-articulated values impact both people (how we […]

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"The more you think about values, the more you get what matters."
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Why "Caring" Isn’t a Value: The Case Against Using Present Participles for Defining Core Values

When defining the core values that guide your life, your business, or your team, the words you choose matter. The language we use to express values has a profound impact on how we understand and act upon them. One common mistake is framing values in their present participle or gerund form—those "-ing" words that imply […]

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"Success is the progressive realization of a worthy ideal."
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What are Values?

What Are Values? In the ViDA framework, values are defined as enduring states and traits that guide, drive, and motivate our actions and decisions on an ongoing basis. A value can be experienced as part of our character or a description of our way of being. Values indicate what matters most, serving as the foundation […]

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"Values are not needs. Values are not beliefs. Values are not goals or principles."
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Critique of Barrett’s Values Methodology: A ViDA Perspective

Richard Barrett’s values methodology has shaped discussions in personal development and organizational leadership, particularly through its roots in Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and Vedantic philosophy. While Barrett's work offers significant insights, it falls short in key areas, particularly in its conflation of values, needs, and motivators. This lack of clarity undermines the framework’s utility and […]

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"Sometimes the best management is about knowing when to push and when to back off."
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How to be more (or Less) Disagreeable for Success

When it comes to personal and professional success, the right balance of personality traits can make or break your outcomes. Let's dive into the OCEAN model or Big Five personality traits: Each of us has a unique mix of these traits, and how we use them determines much of our success in life and work. […]

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"Transformation starts with seeing the future."
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How to Find Your Vision: A Step-by-Step Guide for Transformation

Finding your vision is one of the most transformative things you can do for your life and work. Here’s a practical guide to uncovering your vision.

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"Every action you take is a vote for the type of person you wish to become."
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The Habit Loop: Your Blueprint for Building or Breaking Habits

Habits don’t just happen; they’re constructed. Every habit—good or bad—follows a loop of Cue, Craving Routine, and Reward. Mastering this loop can help you build the habits that create success or dismantle the ones that hold you back. From Olympic training to rowing across the Atlantic, I’ve seen firsthand how habits shape outcomes. Let’s break […]

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"To grow as men, we must face our pain—not flee from it, fight it, or numb it, but embrace it as a teacher."
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Fatherhood Part 2 – Breaking the Silence on Men's Inner Struggles

Men are often expected to be stoic—detached from their emotions. The boardroom isn’t a space for anger, tears, or emotional honesty, yet these emotions don’t disappear. Instead, they linger, becoming unspoken tensions or misdirected actions.

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"A clear view of the market isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity for businesses aiming to thrive in today’s dynamic world."
featured image for Competiton Mapping To Win at Business

Competiton Mapping To Win at Business

A competition map of your marketplace is an essential tool to understand your competitive landscape and drive strategic decisions. It’s not just a diagram—it’s a way to uncover opportunities, mitigate risks, and ensure your business is positioned for success.

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"Your purpose isn't a goal you check off; it's the ongoing impact you choose to make every day."
featured image for How to find your Purpose

How to find your Purpose

How to Find Your Purpose Purpose is the fuel that powers courage and quiets fears. It’s the force that pushes you to make meaningful decisions and take bold action–to work hard, endure pain and act in the face of uncertainty. Purpose is deeply connected to our contribution to others. A strong set of values is […]

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"Never tell people HOW to do things; tell them WHAT to do, and they will surprise you with their ingenuity."
featured image for Mission-Type Orders: A Framework for Trust and Decentralized Execution

Mission-Type Orders: A Framework for Trust and Decentralized Execution

MIssion-Driven Leadership Do you understand the power of mission-type orders? Are you building the trust, clarity, and skills within your team necessary to delegate effectively? If you’re not, you’re leaving success on the table. Mission-type orders challenge YOU—the leader—to go beyond delegating tasks. First, you must master your own role. Then, you must understand your […]

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"The greatest cure for fear, it seems, is action."
featured image for Clear Strategic Goal SETTING and Why SMART Goals Fail

Clear Strategic Goal SETTING and Why SMART Goals Fail

Traditional, intelligence-based goal setting, like SMART goals, fails to account for EQ. When setting important goals and strategic plans, it’s essential that we incorporate both EQ and IQ into any successful achievement method. Thus, CLEAR strategic goal setting. CLEAR stands for Collaborative, Limited, Emotional...

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"There are people who aren't insane, and I'm one of them. People who generalize are mentally ill."
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Values Are Not Goals

Living our values is not about achieving a final state of perfection—it’s about continually striving to embody those values in everything we do. Each day, we make choices that either bring us closer to living in alignment with our values or pull us further away. This process of aligning our actions with our values is ongoing, and it’s what gives our lives meaning and direction

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"The ViDA Coaching Arrow turns reflection into action and action into progress."
featured image for What IS The Vida Coaching Arrow?

What IS The Vida Coaching Arrow?

At ViDA Coaching, we’ve designed a clear, structured process to empower leadership growth, self-awareness, and strategic development. The ViDA Coaching Arrow ensures every coaching session is purposeful, impactful, and tailored to your needs.

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"Sponsored coaching isn’t a punishment—it’s a gift. It’s a rare opportunity to pause, reflect, and focus."
featured image for How Does A Sponsored Coaching Process Work?

How Does A Sponsored Coaching Process Work?

A sponsored coaching relationship is a professional development arrangement where an organization invests in coaching for one of its leaders or high-potential employees. In this setup, the organization—often represented by HR managers or senior leaders—initiates and funds the coaching to support the individual's growth and effectiveness.

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"The Leadership Circle Profile provides an unparalleled development pathway to leadership that correlates demonstrably to business performance."
featured image for Leadership Circle 360° Feedback FAQ

Leadership Circle 360° Feedback FAQ

Why did ViDA pick the Leadership Circle tool?

The LCP isn’t just feedback. It’s one of the most comprehensive tools in leadership development, providing a data-backed roadmap for real improvement. Built on insights from over 200,000 leaders, 3 million evaluations, and 300 million data points, the LCP is the gold standard for leaders who want more than just opinions—they want results.

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"Do not underestimate how the health of men and boys enriches the health and well-being of women and children."
featured image for Fatherhood – The Hidden Key to Leadership Excellence

Fatherhood – The Hidden Key to Leadership Excellence

Fatherhood isn’t just a personal journey; it’s an unparalleled training ground for leadership. As a dad, you’re a mentor, mediator, coach, and role model all rolled into one. You learn to:

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"What matters most is how well you understand your flywheel and how well you execute on each component over a long series of iterations."
featured image for A Better Way to Apply Jim Collin's Flywheel

A Better Way to Apply Jim Collin's Flywheel

Why The Kreek Flywheel Process? This approach, built on the timeless principles of Jim Collins, with the practical application of Adam Kreek ensures that your business doesn’t just achieve greatness—it sustains it. With a focus on practical application and continuous learning, we build a Flywheel that keeps turning, ensuring lasting results.

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"Momentum isn’t magic—it’s built by stacking tiny, imperfect actions until the wall of resistance crumbles."
featured image for Feeling Stuck? Here’s Your Step-by-Step Plan to Get Moving Again

Feeling Stuck? Here’s Your Step-by-Step Plan to Get Moving Again

Here's a simple framework for regaining momentum. It’s not rocket science, but it works every time—60% of the time. LOL.

Let's start by not taking ourselves too seriously and try the method below.

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"Your Value State is where authenticity meets energy—live there, and the world will follow your lead."
featured image for What is Your Values State?

What is Your Values State?

Living your Values State is a powerful concept—but it’s not for everyone. Let’s break down who truly stands to gain from exploring this energetic alignment and who might not find it relevant or practical.

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"Your network is the people who want to help you, and you want to help them, and that’s really powerful."
featured image for The Ultimate Guide to Optimizing Our LinkedIn Posts (and Why No One’s Clicking "See More")

The Ultimate Guide to Optimizing Our LinkedIn Posts (and Why No One’s Clicking "See More")

Let’s face it. The goal of every LinkedIn post isn’t just to throw content out into the void and hope something sticks. We want people to engage, and more importantly, to actually read what we’ve written. The tricky part? That dreaded “see more” button. Most readers don’t click it unless we give them a good […]

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"The Leadership Circle reveals the blind spots that hold us back and the strengths that move us forward."
featured image for The Science and Art of Leadership: Unleashing Potential Through 360° Feedback

The Science and Art of Leadership: Unleashing Potential Through 360° Feedback

Leaders who seek feedback and adjust their behaviour accordingly tend to outperform those who don't by a long shot. According to Kouzes and Posner (The Leadership Challenge), leaders who are clear about their strengths and values perform 25% better than those who aren’t. That’s like showing up to a regatta in a high-tech carbon-fiber shell while everyone else still paddles in wooden boats.

The Center for Creative Leadership also found that 360° assessments, when used properly, can significantly boost a leader’s effectiveness and adaptability. That’s because this tool taps into our brain’s neuroplasticity (a fancy term for saying your brain can change). When you get feedback, your brain makes new connections, which helps you ditch bad habits and build stronger leadership muscles.

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"People are more motivated when they feel in control of their actions, rather than being directed by external forces."
featured image for Welcome to Your Leadership Breakthrough: How to Get People Moving

Welcome to Your Leadership Breakthrough: How to Get People Moving

If you’ve ever wondered, "How do I get people motivated when they just don’t seem to care?" or "How do I inspire my team to step up and take action?"—you’re in the right place. Over the past two decades, I’ve travelled the world as a leadership coach and consultant, sharing insights from my Olympic journey […]

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"Strategy-making is an immensely complex process involving the most sophisticated, subtle, and at times subconscious of human cognitive and social processes."
featured image for Enhancing Organizational Judgment through Values and Generative AI

Enhancing Organizational Judgment through Values and Generative AI

Imagine having a generative AI tool that filters every internal and external communication through your organization's values. How would that change the way proposals are written, reviewed, and presented? How could it influence the SMART goals that leadership teams set and track throughout the year? When AI is used strategically to link decision-making with execution, it can help refine strategies and align execution, but the key is in how it supports human judgment.

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"Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality."
featured image for Why Employee Engagement Surveys Are Crucial for Management, Not Just HR

Why Employee Engagement Surveys Are Crucial for Management, Not Just HR

Employee engagement surveys are often viewed as a tool primarily for the HR department. However, their impact extends far beyond HR, offering invaluable insights for management at all levels, especially in sales. By leveraging data from these surveys, managers can create a more engaged, productive, and high-performing team. Here’s why employee engagement surveys are vital for management and how a sales manager can utilize this data effectively.

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"Creating new things is infinitely easier than changing old things… If we focus on building the new, the old will ultimately go away."
featured image for Building the Future: Why Creating New Things is Easier than Changing the Old

Building the Future: Why Creating New Things is Easier than Changing the Old

Creating new things, as Dr. Christensen suggests, is a powerful strategy for driving progress and innovation. By focusing on building the new, we not only facilitate growth but also naturally phase out the old, less effective practices. Anchoring this process in our core values ensures that our innovations are not just new but also meaningful and sustainable. As leaders, it is our responsibility to foster a culture of values-driven innovation that can propel our organizations toward a brighter, more fulfilling future.

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"Making your goals CLEAR brings them closer to your values."
featured image for Embrace CLEAR Goals for Optimal Success

Embrace CLEAR Goals for Optimal Success

Developed by Adam Kreek, CLEAR goals stand for Collaborative, Limited, Emotional, Appreciable, and Refinable and are designed to be flexible and adaptive to changing circumstances.

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"Accountability breeds response-ability."
featured image for Embrace ARCIx

Embrace ARCIx

ARCIx (pronounced arc-ee Ex) stands for Accountability, Responsibility, Consultation, Information, and Exclude (x). It’s a facilitation tool that aligns decision-making roles with the activities necessary for project success. Unlike traditional RACI charts, ARCIx explicitly defines the accountable person who "holds the bag" if a project fails. This clarity helps in assigning roles and ensuring everyone knows their part in the project's success.

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"We don't have to do all of it alone. We were never meant to."
featured image for Building a Culture of Accountability in Your Organization

Building a Culture of Accountability in Your Organization

Building a culture of accountability takes time and consistent effort. By defining clear expectations, fostering open communication, providing the right tools, and recognizing accountable behaviour, you can create an environment where accountability thrives.

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"The values held by a society define its political and social structure. Shifts in these values reflect broader cultural and economic changes"
featured image for Understanding Cultural Shifts Through the World Values Survey

Understanding Cultural Shifts Through the World Values Survey

The World Values Survey provides invaluable insights into the evolving landscape of global values. By understanding these trends, we can better navigate the complexities of our interconnected world and lead with empathy and effectiveness.

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"The dynamic relationships among values reveal conflicts between the pursuit of different values that can result in tension and complexity."
featured image for Conflicting Values and their Shadows

Conflicting Values and their Shadows

Understanding our values can be a complex journey. Have you ever considered why certain decisions feel right while others leave you conflicted?

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"The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any."
featured image for Mastering Negotiation with ZOPA and BATNA

Mastering Negotiation with ZOPA and BATNA

Negotiation is a bit like rowing in the Olympics (if you'll forgive the overused metaphor associated with my online brand). You’ve got to keep your eye on the finish line, adjust your stroke as the conditions change, and sometimes, you just have to row harder when the wind's against you. Two critical concepts in this realm are ZOPA (Zone of Possible Agreement) and BATNA (Best Alternative to a Negotiated/No Agreement).

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"Measurement is the first step that leads to control and eventually to improvement."
featured image for Understanding Lead and Lag Metrics

Understanding Lead and Lag Metrics

Understanding the difference between lead and lag metrics can be the difference between smoothly rowing across the finish line or being left behind in the competition.

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"If you can't describe what you are doing as a process, you don't know what you're doing."
featured image for EOS? Metronomics? Traction?  Which Operating System is Best for Your Business?

EOS? Metronomics? Traction? Which Operating System is Best for Your Business?

Three prominent systems that business leaders often turn to are Metronomics, the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS), and Scaling Up. Each offers unique benefits and tools tailored to different organizational needs. Here’s a closer look at how these systems compare and contrast.

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"Culture makes people understand each other better. And if they understand each other better in their soul, it is easier to overcome the economic and political barriers."
featured image for COMPETING VALUES FRAMEWORK: A PRACTICAL OVERVIEW

COMPETING VALUES FRAMEWORK: A PRACTICAL OVERVIEW

The Competing Values Framework provides a structured approach to understand better and improve organizational culture. By recognizing and balancing the different values within an organization, leaders can create a more effective, satisfying, and resilient workplace, including the following benefits:

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featured image for LOOKING FOR OUR 200+ LEADERSHIP BLOG POSTS?

LOOKING FOR OUR 200+ LEADERSHIP BLOG POSTS?

200+ Leadership Blog posts:

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"Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom"
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Values Workbook

Thank you for your interest in personal values discovery. To download my values discovery workbook click the file download link below.

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"We can solve business problems through the lens of understanding individuals"
featured image for HOW CAN PERSONALITY INDEXING INCREASE MEASURABLE RESULTS?

HOW CAN PERSONALITY INDEXING INCREASE MEASURABLE RESULTS?

Personality indexing cuts through the static, pushing your leadership team to connect better with their employees and generate more productive results. As an executive coaching tool, personality indexing can increase your team’s performance levels and bring meaningful results. For a clearer understanding of personality testing and how it can boost your enterprise’s value, keep reading.

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"Challenge yourself it's the only path that leads to growth"
featured image for USE VALUE-BASED COACHING TO ALIGN YOUR BEHAVIOUR WITH YOUR GOALS

USE VALUE-BASED COACHING TO ALIGN YOUR BEHAVIOUR WITH YOUR GOALS

Imagine that you're standing in front of a vast, complicated machine. You don't know how it works, there's no instruction manual, and your life depends on operating it successfully. What do you do?

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"Knowledge only becomes power when we apply it and use it."
featured image for GET YOUR TEAM REFOCUSED AND TAKING EFFECTIVE ACTION, CONSISTENTLY.

GET YOUR TEAM REFOCUSED AND TAKING EFFECTIVE ACTION, CONSISTENTLY.

The Execution Gap is a problem because it represents a disconnect between what an organization knows it should do and what it actually does. This gap can lead to values not being translated into results and achievement falling short of potential. The Execution Gap can be a source of frustration, anxiety and disengagement for both leaders and employees.

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"The secret of success is constancy to purpose"
featured image for HOW TO SET YOUR PERSONAL VISION AND PURPOSE

HOW TO SET YOUR PERSONAL VISION AND PURPOSE

When it comes to achieving and sustaining success, having a clear vision and purpose is essential. Vision and purpose are similar in that they both provide direction and motivation, but they differ in meaningful ways.

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"You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete."
featured image for DIFFERENT MODELS TO HELP US UNDERSTAND MOTIVATION, VALUES AND NEEDS

DIFFERENT MODELS TO HELP US UNDERSTAND MOTIVATION, VALUES AND NEEDS

When we understand values, and know our values, we make better decisions and have better relationships.

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