Alison Geskin, PCC

High-performing teams don’t happen by accident. They’re designed. This week’s RCLF Member Spotlight features Mariam Gill, founder of Jupiter Consulting Ltd. and Yāna, and how she’s redefining team building through strengths alignment. Mariam helps organizations align people to their natural strengths so teams move faster, collaborate better, and perform at a higher level. Because when individuals work where they’re naturally wired to thrive, performance and culture change. Read her story in our latest RCLF Member Spotlight: https://lnkd.in/gpedF2mV #RCLF #MemberSpotlight #EdmontonBusiness

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Entrepreneur Shares About The Daily Practices To Quiet The Mind And Reframe Success - Isabelle Tremblay and Lily Patrascu Isabelle Tremblay is a heart-led leadership advisor, CMO, and bestselling author of Love Lead Succeed. She built a 23-year corporate career and now guides leaders to grow through purpose and alignment. After experiencing burnout while holding two senior executive roles as a single mother, she chose to redefine success around meaning rather than titles or status. Isabelle maintains a daily 30-minute meditation practice, often using Dr. Joe Dispenza’s guidance to quiet her mind and support healing. She complements this with gratitude walks, during which she reflects on around 50 things she is grateful for, blending appreciation for the present with intentions for the future. Through these daily disciplines, she teaches that lasting success grows from inner alignment, gratitude, and intentional mental reframing. About The Host Lily Patrascu is an ultra-creative book publisher and personal brand strategist for thought leaders, CEOs, luxury influencers. As an influencer, bestselling author, copywriter, global speaker, she supports busy entrepreneurs to find their message and share it with millions of people. #QuietTheMind #ReframeSuccess #IsabelleTremblay #LilyPatrascu #DailyPractices #MindsetShift #PersonalGrowth #IntentionalLiving #SuccessRedefined #InnerClarity

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Great question! The goal is to build a self-reliant team that drives results without you micromanaging. Here’s how to start: 📌 Lead first. Demonstrate integrity, trust your team, and keep your ego out of the room. 📌 Set clear goals. Get the whole team involved in defining SMART goals so they own the outcomes. 📌 Build structure. Define roles, responsibilities, and the “rules of the road.” 📌 Create an action plan. Assign tasks, set deadlines, and delegate with clarity. 📌 Encourage risk. Innovation and growth come from pushing boundaries, not playing it safe. 📌 Include everyone + give feedback. 100% inclusion = 100% buy-in. Do this consistently, and your business becomes less about you, and more about a team that wins together. More questions? Book a complimentary consult at: https://lnkd.in/gXTeu7u4 #ActionEdge #BusinessCoachingCalgary #BusinessCoachingKelowna #LeadershipTips #LeadWithPurpose #TeamLeadership #ExecutiveLeadership

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I got interviewed on Executive Presence by the John Molson Executive Centre at Concordia University… and they quoted a lot of what I say in my coaching sessions. Always interesting to see your work reflected back through someone else’s lens. One line that stands out: Executive presence isn’t about your title, it’s about how your authority actually comes across in the room. I see this every day with leaders: They’ve built the experience. They’ve earned the role. But how they show up isn’t always aligned with the level they’re operating at. And that gap? It impacts trust, clarity, and influence more than people realize. If you’re in a leadership role or stepping into one, this is worth the read. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/eeHykfU2

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Strategy is more than planning. It’s how leaders respond when the stakes are high. Hear conversations with Canada’s business leaders on innovation and decision making on Courage Inc. 🎧 Listen and subscribe: https://lnkd.in/gAfDx6XV This podcast is produced by The Walrus Lab for Deloitte

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🚀 New Episode Alert! 🎙️ We’re excited to launch the first episode of our Accelerator Series on Investing in Accessibility! In this episode, my co-host Kelvin Crosby and I sit down with Varun Chandak, Founder and Executive Director of Access to Success Organization—a Toronto-based nonprofit accelerator supporting accessibility startups around the world. Varun shares his inspiring journey from growing up in India with undiagnosed hearing loss, to a career in finance, and ultimately to building a global innovation hub dedicated to advancing disability tech. If you’re an entrepreneur, investor, or advocate passionate about accessibility innovation, this conversation offers valuable insight into the people and programs accelerating the future of inclusive technology. 🎧 Listen now: https://lnkd.in/ei7FYRu3 #Accessibility #DisabilityTech #InclusiveInnovation #Startups #Entrepreneurship #InvestingInAccessibility

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Let’s be honest. Most senior leaders are… not great at public speaking. Not because they lack intelligence. Not because they lack experience. But because no one ever taught them how to 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁. That’s exactly what Michael McKay is tackling in this upcoming session: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻g This isn’t theory. It’s a practical “taster” of techniques leaders can apply immediately: • Structuring a compelling message • Capturing and holding attention • Using storytelling that actually lands • Delivering with confidence (verbally and non-verbally) If you’ve ever sat through a forgettable presentation and thought “𝘄𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗱𝗼 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀” -> you’re not wrong. Join us: https://lnkd.in/eakdw8Bc

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I am grateful to have had the opportunity to join Alberta Real Estate Foundation Leading Change event as a panel member in Edmonton this past Monday to talk about the Sustainable Housing Initiative (SHI) team’s, Enabling Housing Choice North project at the Rural Development Network (RDN) who is currently working on with Town of Fairview, Smoky Lake County Town of Peace River and Lac Cardinal Country, with the generous support of AREF. The project seeks to understand rural housing barriers, challenges, and opportunities, then develop solutions with the community to address and overcome them. Alberta Real Estate Foundation investment in evidence-based research helps organizations like Rural Development Network (RDN) turn insight into impact. As part of the panel I was able to share how community engagement, data, and collaboration can drive housing innovation across rural Alberta - and why funders who believe in research make a difference. #AREF #HousingCanada #RuralInnovation #CommunityLeadership #AlbertaRealtors

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Boards shouldn’t judge a gala by the room, the décor, or the applause. The real question is what happened after the lights went out. Did it move major donors closer to commitment? Did it deepen corporate relationships that extend beyond one night? Did it create multi-year value the organization can actually count on? If the answer isn’t clear, the event wasn’t a strategy. It was an expense. At The Win Woman, we help boards and executives evaluate donor events the same way they evaluate investments: by pipeline built, relationships strengthened, and long-term revenue created. Schedule a 15-minute conversation: https://lnkd.in/eKhZ3iGw #NonprofitLeadership #BoardGovernance #FundraisingStrategy #MajorDonors

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Toxic cultures don’t appear overnight. They grow quietly in the gaps where leadership isn’t leading by its values. When leaders show up inconsistently—or avoid the hard conversations—we see the ripple effects: • More employee complaints • Increased conflict and harassment incidents • Growing negativity, fear, and resignation But here’s the hopeful truth: the opposite is also true. When leaders lead by values—with clarity, courage, and emotional intelligence—everything changes. Values-based leadership does three powerful things: ✨ Builds trust before tension emerges. People know what you stand for, so expectations are clear and behaviour is consistent. ✨ Reduces complaints and conflict. Psychological safety increases, misunderstandings decrease, and issues are addressed early—before they become formal concerns. ✨ Lowers toxicity across the system. Leaders model respect, boundaries, accountability, and empathy. And teams rise to match that energy. In hyper-growth and high-pressure environments—especially in PE-backed organizations—values aren’t a “nice to have.” They are the stabilizing force that keeps high performers engaged and protected. If you want fewer fires to put out, start with this question: “Where can I lead more intentionally by my values this week?” Because culture isn’t built by posters. It’s built by leaders—one conversation, one expectation, one consistent moment at a time. Let’s make your leadership the reason people stay, not the reason they struggle. Ready to elevate your leadership impact? Let’s talk. #WorkplaceSafety #LeadershipDevelopment #PsychologicalSafety #CompanyCulture

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Written by Craig MacMullin, FCPA MBA CEPA, CEO of CEED, the Mindset Operating System blog series challenges how we think about mindset within entrepreneurship. This isn’t about motivation or positivity. It reframes mindset as a trainable operating system—one that shows up in decisions, resilience, learning loops, and execution at every stage of the journey: launching, scaling, pivoting, exiting, or even returning to employment. Start with his first article from the series: “Growth Mindset Is Important — But Not Enough: What Entrepreneurs Add.” 👉 Curious how your own mindset shows up in practice? Try our Entrepreneurial Mindset Assessment Tool and see where you stand: https://lnkd.in/gjhAWscY Foundational thinking for entrepreneurs who want to build with clarity—not noise.

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Stories don’t just communicate our leadership. They create it. On December 15, Female Wave of Change Canada is hosting an online session with facilitator and coach Adele Fedorak: Lead with Story: Story Intelligence for Everyday Leadership This conversation is for women who are leading teams, projects, or change – in organizations, communities, or their own businesses – and want to use story more intentionally. We’ll explore: >How story shapes the way others experience your leadership >What might really be going on when you identify as a “lousy storyteller.” >A simple, practical approach to building your storytelling skills >An easy way to make your stories land clearly and memorably with your audience If you’re ready to lead with more clarity, connection, and impact, we’d love for you to join us.

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Think powerful fundraising needs a big budget? Not with Text-to-Donate. Since 2009, Mobile Giving Foundation Canada (MGFC) has been helping charities of every size raise more through the power of mobile. As a registered charity ourselves, we oversee mobile giving standards in Canada and help nonprofits connect with donors in the simplest way possible. When donating is quick and easy, more people choose to give. Why it works so well: → Donors can give right from their phone → Get started for at just $100/month → A low-cost way to launch fundraising quickly → No transaction fees, 100% of funds sent directly to your charity Sometimes a single quick gift is all it takes to start a relationship that lasts and proof that small actions can build big support. Our partners have turned one-time donors into loyal monthly supporters, giving for an average of 55 months and contributing $1,100 over their lifetime. A text takes seconds, but the impact lasts for years. Check out the full story and how you can get started in our latest blog. Link is in the comments

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Most helping conversations already contain these elements. Brief coaching just makes them intentional. Four moves. Fifteen minutes. More clarity. More follow-through. We’re unpacking the evidence — and what this looks like in Canadian community resource centres — in our newest blog. Stay tuned! #BriefCoaching #SolutionFocused #BehaviouralScience #EvidenceInAction #CommunityResearch #ImplementationScience #WhatWorks #BuoyancyWorks

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Seriously, Kaleidoscope is a huge help to Saint John and beyond! Not only does Kaleidoscope help entrepreneurs find their footing, it helps create a safe and welcoming space for all people in the city who need it. Kaleidoscope helps socially marginalized young people, and anyone else who needs help. By doing what Kaleidoscope does, Saint John is more resilient to these kinds of social factors. Kaleidoscope helps Saint John be a better place. École des Entrepreneurs du Québec has teamed up with Kaleidoscope through their Enterprising Women program to help accelerate women in business who want to make a change in their communities. This program is open to all women in New Brunswick, P.E.I., Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador who: - have a business idea but not much else. - Are already working towards getting their business off the ground or just started their company. - Women who have a business and are ready to grow it through scaling their enterprise. This is a fantastic opportunity to learn about starting, growing, and expanding in business and entrepreneurship in Atlantic Canada. As Sara mentioned, it’s a free business accelerator program. Seriously, Kaleidoscope is a huge help to Saint John and beyond! Not only does Kaleidoscope help entrepreneurs find their footing, it helps create a safe and welcoming space for all people in the city who need it. Kaleidoscope helps socially marginalized young people, and anyone else who needs help. By doing what Kaleidoscope does, Saint John is more resilient to these kinds of social factors. Kaleidoscope helps Saint John be a better place. École des Entrepreneurs du Québec has teamed up with Kaleidoscope through their Enterprising Women program to help accelerate women in business who want to make a change in their communities. This program is open to all women in New Brunswick, P.E.I., Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador who: - have a business idea but not much else. - are already working towards getting their business off the ground or just started their company. - women who have a business and are ready to grow it through scaling their enterprise. This is a fantastic opportunity to learn about starting, growing, and expanding in business and entrepreneurship in Atlantic Canada. As Sara mentioned, it’s a free business accelerator program. www.ewimpact.com/eeqsignup is one of the fastest ways to get signed up for the free program through Kaleidoscope Social Impact and EEQ. What is one thing you’ve been scared to do that a program like this would help you achieve? www.ewimpact.com/eeqsignup is one of the fastest ways to get signed up for the free program through Kaleidoscope Social Impact and EEQ. What is one thing you’ve been scared to do that a program like this would help you achieve?

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I recently stopped having empathy to solve problems. Everyone thinks the pain is what matters. I know your natural tendency is to fix what people struggle with. Does it alleviate challenges? Maybe -- but not in multiplayer situations. For years, I carried the same concept: “have empathy” to root for people. Then I elevated my approach by adding systems thinking to understand many moving parts. However, there is something missing. The solution gets pushback from other players. I learned that besides approaching business problems with empathy and systems thinking, you need to: 1. Understand players in the system. 2. List each one’s needs. 3. Map their relationships. 4. Arrange needs based on a hierarchy of power: most to least. -> You understand which stakeholder(s) your impacted audience depends on. Your solution must address higher-power stakeholders’ needs. In multi-stakeholder systems, solving the impacted audience’s problem solves the wrong problem. Address your systems like addressing your market.

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Midlife is a time when the stakes get real. In this conversation with Billie Sinclair, we explore how a personal family situation revealed the costly gap in estate planning. At this stage, we’re often balancing aging parents, our own households, and businesses. The lessons are simple but powerful: • A will is essential, not optional • Planning ahead prevents legal headaches • Financial literacy includes estate education • Midlife is the time to secure your legacy This is about taking responsibility and protecting the people and assets you care about. #MidlifeWisdom #EstatePlanning #FinancialLiteracy #WomenInMidlife #LegacyProtection #PlanAhead

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