Blog
12 Useful Things – An Easy Starting Place….
So you want to solve one of the world’s wicked problems? Cool! Give us a call – that’s our schtick. Oh – you want to know HOW to solve one of the world’s wicked problems. Alrighty – here’s a start…but only a start. If we told you all the secrets, we’d have to hire...
The Three Hopes
Note: Once upon a time, this post was referred to as “the three rules.” But that was the wrong language entirely. In the course of raising our children, I’ve been challenged on my word choices, and my learning has resulted in this re-authoring of the content. Note to...
Driving at night: working in emergent environments
Much of the work that we do is, by its very nature, emergent. And to define my terms, because words are tricky things at the very best of times, let me tell you what I mean when I say “emergent.” What I mean is that it is impossible (underline, highlight, italic,...
People…are People…are People.
One of the things that fascinates me is how unique we believe ourselves to be, and, systemically speaking at least, how similar we really are. I work with complex human systems (groups, teams, organizations, etc.) in times of transition. Change needs to happen, and...
Change…Like the Rain, or Like a River?
How does change happen? And, more appropriately, how might change happen, if it were done effectively? Organizational change, historically, has been like rain. It stops and starts, as a sometimes-necessarily-funded-evil of a software project implementation. Ask a...
“…a damned fine meeting…”
I love working with my clients. To a person, they are exceptional, dedicated, caring. They understand that their human system (their employee base) is inherently wise, and they trust in the wisdom of these people. (And after all, what would it say about them if they...
2013 in review…
December 31st - the day of looking back; of looking forward. So...some facts looking back; some thoughts looking forward: The site Wow, we had a variety of visitors. All Canadian provinces, and two of three territories. Nunavut, you have 12 hours left to surprise...
Information Risk and the Loss of Federal Libraries
Because a picture is worth 1000 words. More here.
The Best Gig in Our World
One of the things I love MOST about NOT being an employee anymore is that I get to do free work. No, really. As an employee, it's all about billable hours, about making money for "the man", about deliverables - whether you liked about, cared about, agreed that the...
How to ACTUALLY collaborate
“Collaboration is like teenage sex – everybody claims they are doing it but most people aren’t, and those that are, are doing it very badly.” (with apologies to Chris Spray) Collaboration is to government what eco-friendly is to consumerism – paste the word on top,...
The Wills, the Woulds and the Won’ts
Enabling a culture shift can be a fairly straight-forward process. You don’t even need to download my e-book for $9.99. You can have it here, for free. Start from outcomes. Directionally, where and how do you need your culture to shift? What do they need to do...
The Five Steps of Change
One of the things I am most thankful to Christina Comeau for teaching me was about the five steps of change: Attention, Intention, Information, Insight, and Action. This five-step process takes place, consciously or unconsciously, at every level of every activity in...
Communicating to Executives
I watch teams as they structure decks for executive consumption all the time. It can be painful to watch. Hundreds of unnecessary words get crammed into each PowerPoint slide as subject matter experts try to fit years of understanding and expertise onto single pages....
Seriously Playing with your 220 Best Friends
Lego Serious Play (LSP) is a wonderful process that was designed to enhance deep, innovative conversations among intimate groups of 8-12 people. As a creative problem solving process for small teams that are solving huge challenges, it is unmatched in its support of...
CTLabs at PS Engage
CTLabs is pleased to announce that we will be leading an innovation exercise as part of PS Engage: A tapestry of People and Ideas. PS Engage is a one-day learning and networking event that weaves together the themes of collaboration, innovation, and mobilization....
OttawaLife Magazine highlights Open Ottawa Libre
On September 28th the City of Ottawa, along with local partners, hosted 120 members of the Ottawa arts and business community to discuss the future of innovation and cross-sector integration in Ottawa. CTLabs had the pleasure of convening the group at Arts Court in...
Why SWOT doesn’t work
Leaders have struggled for decades, with greater and lesser degrees of success, to navigate the complexity of their world. They want to understand their situation and environment; their risks and opportunities. Often, these leaders use a strategic planning method...
12 windows – it’s like swot, but much better.
Leaders have struggled for decades, with greater and lesser degrees of success, to navigate the complexity of their world. They want to understand their situation and environment, their risks and opportunities, and the level of commitment across their team. Many have...
Creating a Culture of Collaboration
The skill most needed by Visionary Leaders is the ability to surf the edge of chaos. They demonstrate this skill by having the courage to convene their collaborators, the finesse to engage them fully, and the tenacity to sustain their momentum. IN GENERAL: The...
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The ‘Go’ Moment in Complex Collaboration [Video]
How often do hundreds of people from various walks of life take action at a moment’s notice? Whenever a clear common purpose is established and passionate people are engaged in true collaboration. When people are truly passionate about what they are working towards in...