Good leaders face reality — then help people move forward. A few days ago, Jay and I hopped on a plane to fly to Haida Gwaii. We got all the way there, started our approach — and then the pilot had to pull out. The fog was simply too dense to land safely. Not the outcome we’d wanted. So, we spent the night in downtown Vancouver instead, and the next morning found ourselves walking along the oceanfront, enjoying a beautiful day we hadn’t planned for. It got me thinking about l

People don’t just follow instructions. They follow purpose. Great leaders don’t just explain what needs to be done. They explain why it matters. That distinction is everything. In the workplace, especially in high-pressure industries like mining, construction, manufacturing, and energy, leaders are often moving fast. There are targets to hit, problems to solve, safety protocols to follow, and deadlines that don’t move. So, it can be tempting to lead with the task: “Get this d

People do their best work when they know their leader has their back Great leaders create environments where people feel secure, trusted, and protected. That kind of safety matters. And not just physical safety, although that is always critical in industries like mining, construction, manufacturing, and energy. There’s also psychological safety. Can people speak up when they see a problem? Can they admit a mistake before it becomes a bigger issue? Can they ask for help withou