Tag Archives: appreciative inquiry

Joan McArthur-Blair

Joan McArthur-Blair Expert Picture

Dr. Joan McArthur-Blair is an inspirational speaker and facilitator. She brings to her consulting practice over twenty years experience in higher education in formal and informal leadership roles, most recently as the President of Nova Scotia Community College. Over a broad ranging career she has worked as a leader in higher education, in faculty development, international projects, women in development and the mentorship and education of other leaders. She has particular expertise in the development of leaders, appreciative inquiry in strategic planning, diversity, women in leadership, and is a sought after speaker in the areas of leadership risk, innovation, change and the development of the inner life of leaders and generating positive change.

Joan has fulfilled faculty, department head, dean, vice president and president roles over her career at four diverse Canadian Colleges. She has been faculty and chair of the Association of Canadian Community Colleges’ National Executive Leadership Institute which prepares academic leaders across Canada. As well, she has worked around the world in India, Pakistan, Qatar, and the United States from her bases in British Columbia and Nova Scotia, Canada. In 2010 Joan amalgamated her experience into a consulting practice with a particular focus on the possibilities of leadership and the fostering of leadership in others.

Grounded in her doctoral research (2005), Joan has made a study of the inner life of leaders and how it is that leaders survive in the day to day of their work. Recently her focus has been on the notion of hope, despair and forgiveness in leadership as three tenets that can guide leaders over time.

Joan has a BA in English from the University of Western Ontario, the British Columbia Instructor’s Diploma, a MEd from Simon Fraser University and an EdD from the University of British Columbia.

Joan has been certified by Company of Experts.net as both an Appreciative Inquiry Facilitator and an appreciative Inquiry Facilitator Training (AIFT) Trainer.

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Specialties

  • Appreciative Inquiry
  • Facilitator and Trainer Development
  • Inclusion and Diversity
  • Instructional Skills Workshop (ISW)
  • Keynote Speaker
  • Leadership as Narrative
  • Leadership Development
  • Leadership Theory and Practice
  • Motivation / Passion for work
  • Narrative Inquiry in Research
  • Positive Change
  • Strategic Planning
  • Vice President and Chair Development
  • Women in Leadership

Tomorrow’s Cities

Tomorrow’s Cities from Luke Younge on Vimeo.

“Tomorrow’s Cities”, a succinct and inspiring film (15 minutes long), presents a compelling and easy to understand account of the major developmental challenges facing our cities in South Africa and more broadly cities of the global south. Framed within these challenges, the film unfolds a vision, through the voice of a school child and exciting use of animation, and proposes practical solutions towards achieving breathable, sustainable, equitable and low carbon urban futures.

The film is intended as a learning tool to raise discussion and awareness and ultimately inspire action toward the development of sustainable and equitable, low carbon cities.

Source:

Younge, Luke. “Tomorrow’s Cities.” Vimeo, Video Sharing For You. N.p., 7 Jan. 2010. Web. 8 July 2010. <http://vimeo.com/8030989>.

CNAQ Strategic Planning Process (Phase 1)

A brief overview of Phase 1 of the CNAQ Strategic Planning process using Appreciative Inquiry.

Source:

hfriesen123. “CNAQ Strategic Planning (Phase 1) overview.” YouTube – Broadcast Yourself. . N.p., 29 June 2010. Web. 8 July 2010. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ofl0GmnnoYI>.

Now is the Moment to Seize your Opportunity

Author: Luke Johnson, Financial Times

Published: May 5, 2010

The hour is always darkest before dawn. I have a gut feeling that now might just be a great time to take the plunge. There is plenty of negative news about deficits and double-dip recession. But technology and global markets are creating real advantages for anyone tempted to give it a go. And a new concern will not be weighed down with the legacy issues like property and pension obligations that are holding back incumbent players. Among my reasons why now is the time:

* The internet has made it easier to experiment than in the past. Building an online presence costs less than it ever did. I just redesigned my website for less than £2,000 in a few weeks. With that you can reach the whole world. Yes, the web is crowded, but there are billions of consumers connected to it who might see your ads or buy your products. And if your idea fails, too bad – shut the project down and try another; it is cheaper and quicker to discover what works than at any time in history.

* The corporate life seems less appealing . Jobs for life have gone; occupational pensions have gone; and who wants to slog away in a suffocating hierarchy their whole career? The freedom and satisfaction of self-employment are hard to beat. Of course there are risks – but then you might get sacked anyway if you work for someone else. Starting a company gives you the chance to achieve independence and self-determination – and if it succeeds, you really will get the rewards of your efforts.

* The world needs entrepreneurs more than ever. New jobs and wealth creation spring principally from new companies. I predict governments will do more to encourage entrepreneurs in years to come – from lower taxes to a reduced regime of bureaucracy. Every policymaker I speak to understands that only private enterprise can tackle unemployment and generate the tax we need to deal with our problems.

* There is more advice and support than ever before. Books, online, agencies, magazines – you name it, there are hundreds of places to go to find ideas, recruit staff, secure premises, source IT, deal with legal and accounting issues and so forth. There are more clubs and networks – more ways to access funding, find partners and reach customers. There are many more role models and mentors around than when I started out in the 1980s.

* It is easier to freelance and subcontract than before. Virtual businesses are common. Almost everything can be outsourced – manufacture, R&D, fulfilment, logistics, administration, IT – you name it. And providing these services offers endless niche markets.

* There is talent galore looking to join in a new venture. Now is a wonderful time to recruit able staff. Big business and the state are shedding personnel – people will be more willing to throw in their lot with an emerging company than during the good times.

* Premises and plants are plentiful. Rents are lower, machines are in surplus – there is more choice than there has been for years in terms of premises and equipment.

* Redundancy should be a beginning, not an end. Thousands do seize the day when they lose their job – and while not all find it a pushover, for many it allows them to pursue their dream and follow their passion.

* Part-time is a way to get going. When I worked for others, I moonlighted for several years, participating in various schemes at weekends, evenings and during holidays. It gave me experience, confidence and helped generate capital – so I was better prepared when I left employment for good after a few years.

I recently became chairman of the Advisory Board of Fast Track, which ranks Britain’s fastest growing companies. There I am endlessly impressed by the vision and energy displayed by the founders of so many of the companies surveyed. They know it is worth it.

No one believes starting something from scratch is a breeze. But as Samuel Johnson said: “He that labours in any great or laudable undertaking has his fatigues first supported by hope and afterward rewarded by joy.”

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Source:

Johnson, Luke. “Now is the Moment to Seize Your Opportunity.” Financial Times. N.p., 5 May 2010. Web. 5 May 2010. <www.ft.com/cms/s/0/3f720290-57dd-11df-855b-00144feab49a.html>.

Living Card of Appreciation for Jeanie Cockell

Jeanie Cockell picture

Don’t believe what you read in the newspaper and see on television. People all over the world are achieving their dreams to improve their communities whether that is a school, hospital, or corporation, for profit and non-profit. It is amazing how many terrific, caring and inspirational people we meet and the stories that we hear from them. Stories of grace, of style, of engagement – awe inspiring stories. Unique stories about people and the people that they work with.

We have an amazing Expert on Call – Jeanie Cockell. Many of you may know of Jeanie as an Appreciative Inquiry Facilitator and trainer from seeing her name on our website or from stories of success written by those who have worked with Jeanie. Jeanie has that special magical personality that lights up the room and invites you in to converse and to become friends. People gravitate toward Jeanie like a hummingbird to a flower.

We are so fortunate that Jeanie is with us. A few weeks ago Jeanie was involved in a horrific automobile accident and had a punctured lung, fractured pelvis and a leg broken in several places (I am not a medical person and do not mind if anyone corrects me!) It is awesome that Jeanie had no head injuries and remains positive about her recovery and is already looking ahead to returning to the work she loves. Working with people and introducing Appreciative Inquiry whenever possible.

Jeanie has physical rehabilitation to relearn how to walk and how long that will be we are not sure of. We just thought it might be nice to start a Jeanie Cockell Living Card to express our appreciation and wishes for her return to full health.

To send Jeanie your wishes, please follow this link to Facebook (click on the discussion tab) or Linkedin – if you are not a member, you will need to join. Jeanie will be able to visit her Living Card of Appreciation when she is able and as often as she wants. You may leave messages as often as you like – check often to see what others have to say.