Wild weather, wild politics…
June 8, 2021
We have a choice: to change the way we go about governing ourselves; or let the anarchy of whatever goes and how much we can tolerate rule the day… … More Wild weather, wild politics…
Category: BEYOND POLARITY
Imagine this…
October 20, 2020
IT’S OCTOBER 2020 and all is not well in Alberta. Canada’s petro-state province has been clobbered with a triple whammy—the pandemic, an oil crisis, and a crippled economy. In a very anxious world, this could be the nadir or an apex moment—or both—for Alberta. And while there’s been a pause or awakening, an opportunity to see … More Imagine this…
gone fishin’
November 17, 2019
We’re going on vacation.
“Only a winter vacation,” says Don, continuing “unless, of course, some ‘thing’ happens.” And it happened that… … More gone fishin’
India: What’s the big attraction?
October 10, 2018
I’m no longer a politician. And I find myself travelling in India (a longer story), in the wake of our prime minister’s costume ball, and lately Jason Kenney’s hi-how-are-you tour. This week, it’s the honourable Andrew Scheer’s turn to enjoy sit down conversations with leadership and business in the world’s largest democracy; they got their photo-ops, for sure. Handshakes.
But that’s not what I saw. … More India: What’s the big attraction?
PETER’S PRINCIPLES: A 12-step recovery guide for the politically perplexed…
September 20, 2018
YOU JUST LIVED through one of the craziest summers in political memory. There’s an antidote to the current chaos & confusion…
… More PETER’S PRINCIPLES: A 12-step recovery guide for the politically perplexed…
Peter’s Principles: RULE OF LAW
September 4, 2018
Charlie Fischer, an energy executive in Alberta, talks about how business people and foreign investors look at Alberta, something Peter Lougheed always considered. Making Alberta an attractive place for investment, it was one of PETER’S PRINCIPLES. … More Peter’s Principles: RULE OF LAW
Peter’s Principles: PRAGMATIC DREAMS
August 9, 2018
Peter’s Principles. What guided the leadership of Premier Peter Lougheed? We’re talking to people who worked alongside Lougheed to find out. Here’s an excerpt from a conversation with Brent Harding, a civil servant in Lougheed’s 1st government in 1971. … More Peter’s Principles: PRAGMATIC DREAMS
Peter’s Principles: LOYALTY
July 13, 2018
What are the leadership qualities that made Premier Peter Lougheed such a recognized leader in Alberta? One quality – his approach to loyalty. Listen up to our short podcast to learn more! … More Peter’s Principles: LOYALTY
Ontario Election: PCs in service or in power?
June 8, 2018
What can you say about the Ontario provincial election?
Speaking with people in Peter Lougheed’s circle of political colleagues, friends, admirers, and even critics (albeit it’s been friendly fire), the thing that keeps coming up is how Peter Lougheed never spoke about being in power, but rather ‘in service’ to Albertans.
So what’s it going to be in Ontario? … More Ontario Election: PCs in service or in power?
Build From-Don’t Attack
June 1, 2018
What’s the secret sauce that launched a political dynasty in Alberta? Listen in to our latest podcast on Peter’s Principles. … More Build From-Don’t Attack
Peter’s Principles: NEW SERIES
May 29, 2018
I promised I’d let you in on what I’m up to, and along with my colleague Don Hill, we think it’s time – especially this week with the Kinder-Morgan announcement hanging in the air – to tell you about Peter’s Principles. … More Peter’s Principles: NEW SERIES
The Conservative Conundrum
May 28, 2018
Podcast & blog:
I have a challenge you can help me with.
Right now, and please don’t second-guess yourself, think of the word conservative. What does it mean to you?
I’m tired of hearing ‘conservative’ being framed, often disparagingly, as a right-winger with views cast in concrete. It’s polarizing. People are simply trotting out a script. My journalist colleague calls it ‘message track’. … More The Conservative Conundrum
IDEA #7: When you must, be formidable
May 27, 2018
The final idea in our 7 Ideas for Life: An Antidote to Polarity series.
Enjoy this blog post & podcast. … More IDEA #7: When you must, be formidable
IDEA #6: Decision-making is a precious power
May 20, 2018
7 Ideas for Life: An Antidote to Polarity
Idea #6: Decision-making is a precious power.
Who is speaking for you? Making decisions that affect you?
And, when are you speaking for others and making their decisions?
Decision-making is a precious exercise of power. And if you do it thoughtfully, you can use this power to break down polarities. … More IDEA #6: Decision-making is a precious power
PODCAST: Playing Games with Energy Innovation
May 19, 2018
It’s an old story, but a familiar one:
If first you don’t succeed, try and try again. But what if you try and try and try and it still doesn’t work?
And so here I am, bright and chipper on a Monday morning in the offices of a familiar spot, the National Energy Board. I’m joined by enthusiastic champions of energy innovation who want Albertans to ‘think different’ and embrace the future.
Listen here to a podcast sharing what happened, this week, with energy innovation in Alberta.
I’m Mad As Hell & I’m Not Going to Take this Polarity Anymore!
May 18, 2018
I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take this polarity anymore! … More I’m Mad As Hell & I’m Not Going to Take this Polarity Anymore!
IDEA #5: Imagination builds bridges
May 13, 2018
7 Ideas for Life: An Antidote to Polarity
Idea #5: Imagination builds bridges
When you focus on building walls, leaning too heavily on minor differences and ignoring the fundamentals, you can tend to define yourself by what you are not.
How do you build bridges with people who aren’t in your organization, people who don’t look or think like you? Real bridges. Not just namby-pamby feel good gestures. … More IDEA #5: Imagination builds bridges
IDEA #4: Know Where You Lead From
May 6, 2018
7 Ideas for Life: An Antidote to Polarity Blog & Podcast!
Idea #4: Know Where You Lead From
In times of uncertainty, we need insiders, outsiders and people who lead from the edge of the inside.
Especially in the building of bridges between rigid and polarized positions, leading from the edge of the inside can be creative, constructive and energizing. … More IDEA #4: Know Where You Lead From
IDEA #3: Befriend the like-hearted
April 29, 2018
7 Ideas for Life: An Antidote to Polarity
Idea #3: Befriend the like-hearted.
It’s easy to get stuck in echo chambers. To listen to people who share our point of view. We like talking to people who agree with us. But it risks feeding polarity. … More IDEA #3: Befriend the like-hearted
ALBERTA REBOUND: 3rd podcast in a 3-part series
April 24, 2018
There are real chokepoints in the flow of Canada’s energy. And, in Canada’s confederation. In this 3rd podcast in our 3-part series, Alberta Bound, Alberta Unbound, Alberta Rebound, we explore the risks to Canada’s reputation as a place for investment if we can’t get our act together on pipelines. Alberta Rebound
ALBERTA UNBOUND: 2nd podcast in a 3-part series
April 24, 2018
In this 2nd podcast in our 3-part series, Alberta Bound, Alberta Unbound, Alberta Rebound, we explore where we are at right now in Alberta. Stories are doing battle with one another. The United States is redefining its identity, and in Alberta, we’re doing the same within Canada’s confederation. If relationships we’ve come to depend on … More ALBERTA UNBOUND: 2nd podcast in a 3-part series
PODCAST: Alberta Bound > Unbound > Rebound
April 24, 2018
There are real chokepoints in the flow of Canada’s energy. And, in Canada’s confederation. Threatening to turn off the energy taps to fellow Canadians isn’t something Alberta, or any province, does lightly.
Here’s a podcast series that provides a timely window into our world as Albertans in Canada:
#1 Alberta Bound
#2 Alberta Unbound
#3 Alberta Rebound … More PODCAST: Alberta Bound > Unbound > Rebound
IDEA #2: Treat YOU like the ones you teach
April 22, 2018
Post & Podcast!
7 Ideas for Life: An Antidote to Polarity
Idea #2: Treat YOU like the ones you teach.
All of us are educators. We’re role models. And mentors. We teach others, not so much by what we say, but by what we do.
Read the blog, or listen to our podcast!
… More IDEA #2: Treat YOU like the ones you teach
We’ve Added PODCASTS to 7 IDEAS FOR LIFE: An Antidote to Polarity!
April 21, 2018
We’re delighted you enjoy reading our series, 7 Ideas for Life: An Antidote to Polarity.
Now, you can listen to them too! We’ve added podcasts to complement our written articles.
… More We’ve Added PODCASTS to 7 IDEAS FOR LIFE: An Antidote to Polarity!
NEW PODCAST > IDEA #1: Step up, shoulders squared
April 15, 2018
Promised you 7 Ideas for Life: An Antidote to Polarity
Well, here is Idea # 1: Step up, shoulders squared.
To step up, with your shoulders squared, is to accept that there are people in the world who want you on their side of a polarized issue.
It’s a reminder to yourself that there is a personal responsibility here, to see those dichotomies.
And, it means you are prepared to at least consider when you want to take on the burden of wading into the debate. … More NEW PODCAST > IDEA #1: Step up, shoulders squared
NEW PODCAST > 7 IDEAS FOR LIFE: An Antidote to Polarity
April 8, 2018
Are you tired of living in an either-or world? Weary of people taking rigid, polarized positions. Done with being manipulated.
Angry at being put in a victim position, imposed upon, spoken for, and assumed.
Then we have some ideas for you! 7 Ideas for Life: An Antidote to Polarity. … More NEW PODCAST > 7 IDEAS FOR LIFE: An Antidote to Polarity