Shows
Reflections on the Road to RespectBest of Erica #10It is five years since this post came out in February 2010 and in that time, the “speak up” piece of the Respect Business continued to expand and grow. It became the most popular and requested of my presentations. In 2012 we released the Road to Respect Speak Up eGuide with tips and tools to empower you to speak up respectfully.The ability to speak up respectfully, the willingness to step into our power, to be our own advocate is the ultimate answer to ending workplace disrespect. A simple solution. Alas, as I have learned over the past 15 years, also something the majo...
2015-06-2306 minReflections on the Road to RespectBest of Erica #9This post first appeared in Nov 2011. The message is even more relevant today as the explosion of social media platforms, texting and selfies continues to push the boundaries and re-establish “socially acceptable behaviour.”In my experience, the bar is getting lower, not higher, making the requirement for a proactive conversation about what constitutes “respectful, professional behaviour” in your workplace more critical than ever. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2015-05-1907 minReflections on the Road to RespectBest of Erica #8Given that Ms. Clinton announced on April 12th that she will be seeking the Democratic nomination for President of the United States, I thought it would be fitting to share this post from 2013.In June I had the opportunity to present at the annual SHRM Conference in Chicago. One of the highlights Iof that experience was being in the audience for the opening keynote delivered by former US Secretary of State Hilary Rodham Clinton.If you’re a regular reader/listener, you will know that the topic of Women, Position & Power is one that I have been increasingly focused on ov...
2015-04-2110 minReflections on the Road to RespectBest of Erica #7March 8 was International Women’s Day, first celebrated in 1911. It seems only fitting, then, that this month’s "Best of "article features the first interview for Are We There Yet? Women, Position & Power done in February 2012. The introduction to the interview highlighted the sad reality that the answer to the question Are We There Yet? was a resounding NO in 2012. I wish I could say something has shifted in the last 3 years, but the fact is that it hasn’t. Unless something radical happens, my 18 year old daughter will not enjoy pay equity, or equality of opportunity in her lifetime, nor wi...
2015-03-1721 minReflections on the Road to RespectFull Interview with Anne KinvigThis is the full interview with Anne Kinvig Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2015-03-1736 minReflections on the Road to RespectThe Best of Erica #6I was prompted to write this article in June 2007 when Jim Chu became the first non-white chief of police to be hired in Canada. In January 2015 Chief Chu announced he will be retiring in the spring, after 36 years as a member of the Vancouver Police Force. Oh, and if you’re curious as to who are the front runners for his position, they are 3 white guys. Plus ca change… Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2015-02-1713 minReflections on the Road to RespectThe Best of Erica #5In July 2007, my 11 year old daughter Abee and I went to San Diego where I attended a National Speakers Association event while my daughter took part in a Youth Leadership Conference. At the end of each day, my daughter was bubbling over with news about the exciting speakers she had heard.One of these presenters, Canadian motivational speaker Alvin Law, had made a huge impression on Abee. Born without arms in the early 1960’s, Alvin was one of the unfortunate group of “Thalidomide” babies. Doctors advised his birth parents that Alvin, being so severely deformed, was doomed to a life of har...
2015-01-2018 minReflections on the Road to RespectThe Best of Erica #4One of the most gratifying things for me, and the main reason I continue to write these monthly articles, is that I always receive comments from you, my readers and listeners. A Christmukah Story, first posted in December 2007, generated a flood of feedback. We reposted it in 2009 and 2012 and again got loads of comments. The article has also been picked up and reprinted in numerous online publications. It remains my most popular post to date.As you many of you are new subscribers to Reflections on the Road to Respect, I have decided to share this article again this year...
2014-12-0914 minReflections on the Road to RespectThe Best of Erica #3Yesterday I spent a good deal of my day struggling with an article for this edition of Reflections on the Road to Respect. I had what I thought was a good idea. However, as sometimes happens, the more I wrote, the less I progressed. By about 4 pm I was feeling quite frustrated and discouraged. The fact that I burned the roof of my mouth a few days ago and have not been able to eat, something I normally quite enjoy doing, did not help my mood any. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2014-11-1306 minReflections on the Road to RespectThe Best of Erica #2Let’s Talk About Sex – Popular Fashion and Respectful Workplace CultureI am not a prude. Those that know me would laugh at the suggestion. However, lately I find myself on the far right when it comes to the topic of appropriate attire in the workplace. I am, in fact, now advising all of my clients to adopt and enforce a Dress Code.How come? Well, quite honestly, I often find myself in a difficult position these days. More than once, I have arrived at the corporate offices of a client with whom I am working to promote respectful workplace culture (the c...
2014-10-0712 minReflections on the Road to RespectThe Best of Erica #1The Best of EricaHope you’ve enjoyed our brief but glorious summer season. Out here on the “Left” coast we had an unusually hot and somewhat humid summer, making me exceeding grateful that I chose to install central air when I moved into my home.By the time you read this, I will be on the other coast, visiting family and friends in Montreal and Toronto after helping my daughter get settled in the room in residence that will be her home for the next few months.I officially started my sabbatical on August 1st. What I have noticed thus far is...
2014-09-0912 minReflections on the Road to RespectThe Next AdventureAugust 2014 will mark the 16th anniversary of The Respect Business. A lot has happened in those 16 years. When I started this business in 1998 I was still “young.” “You are no longer young by the time you realize your youth is over.” I’m not sure where I heard this expression or who said it, however, it has stuck with me over the years. There can be no doubt that my youth, along with numerous other life stages, is now over. I am firmly ensconced in middle age, rushing, it feels, towards becoming a senior citizen. While I resonate with the word elder...
2014-06-1714 minReflections on the Road to RespecteNews podcast - Jen SchaeffersIn May 2012 I participated as a community leader in the Minerva Foundation’s Learning to Lead weekend. Jen Schaeffers, executive director of the CKNW Orphans’ Fund was the Keynote speaker on Sunday morning. What struck me about this young, energetic, and at that time pregnant woman, was her willingness to talk openly about the challenges she was facing as a working mom, a particularly relevant message given that a third of the audience were Grade 11 girls.It is important to remember that this was before Sheryl Sandberg created a forum for this conversation with the release of her book ‘Lean In.’...
2014-05-1314 minReflections on the Road to RespectJen Schaeffers - full interviewIn May 2012 I participated as a community leader in the Minerva Foundation’s Learning to Lead weekend. Jen Schaeffers, executive director of the CKNW Orphans’ Fund was the Keynote speaker on Sunday morning. What struck me about this young, energetic, and at that time pregnant woman, was her willingness to talk openly about the challenges she was facing as a working mom, a particularly relevant message given that a third of the audience were Grade 11 girls.It is important to remember that this was before Sheryl Sandberg created a forum for this conversation with the release of her book ‘Lean In.’...
2014-05-1324 minReflections on the Road to RespectTwo to TangoMy 17 year old daughter was thrilled when she recently started her new job. She liked the work and the people, at least everyone she met until her shift last week. She made a couple of mistakes, she told me, and was “called on them” by two supervisors.Her immediate reaction was to feel anxiety, shame, and worry. Her confidence was momentarily shaken she said. She started to feel badly about herself. She started wondering if she really liked her job as much as she had originally thought. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2014-04-1509 minReflections on the Road to RespecteNews podcast March 2014Are We There Yet? - Women, Power & Position - An Interview with Janet AustinJanet Austin was recommended as someone to interview for this series by a number of former participants. In addition to being the CEO of the YMCA Metro Vancouver, “one of the largest and most diversified non-profits in Metro Vancouver, if not the whole country” Ms. Austin is the incoming Chair of the Vancouver Board of Trade and serves on the Board of the Canadian Pediatric Society, Big Sisters BC and the Telus Community Board, among others. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more info...
2014-03-1815 minReflections on the Road to RespectFull Interview with Janet AustinAre We There Yet? - Women, Power & Position - An Interview with Janet AustinJanet Austin was recommended as someone to interview for this series by a number of former participants. In addition to being the CEO of the YMCA Metro Vancouver, “one of the largest and most diversified non-profits in Metro Vancouver, if not the whole country” Ms. Austin is the incoming Chair of the Vancouver Board of Trade and serves on the Board of the Canadian Pediatric Society, Big Sisters BC and the Telus Community Board, among others. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more info...
2014-03-1833 minReflections on the Road to RespectThe Elephant in the RoomThe Elephant in the RoomIn 1998 I quit my corporate job to start the Respect Business. When people asked me why I made that choice my standard response was:I want to see change in my lifetime.Sheryl Sandberg, Facebook COO and author of the bestselling book Lean In, shares that interest. She is working to challenge the status quo with respect to gender inequality. Like many of us, women and men alike, she envisages a world where women can live life on their own terms.A pivotal point in her journey occurred in 2010 when she was asked to speak at...
2014-02-1815 minReflections on the Road to RespectIt's Not Me, It's You ... or is itOne of my great joys in life is reading novels. Call me old fashioned, but I prefer reading a physical book rather than an e-book. I bike to my local library, and head straight to the staff picks section where I consistently find great reads. Given the recent announcement about the phasing out of mail delivery to private homes in Canada, I no longer take the gift of a public library for granted. As I scan the barcodes I always feel grateful to have access to these wonderful books.On my last visit to the library for some reason I...
2014-01-2107 minReflections on the Road to Respectthe Horrible and the MiserableFor many of us December means holiday preparations and celebrations. For me, it has also come to mean the rather demoralizing task of having to read story after story of disrespect and abuse Now you might be wondering, Erica: why on earth would you want to subject yourself to such a depressing task during the season of light and joy? The short answer is that I am a panel member charged with the task of ranking America’s worst leaders for the eBossWatch America’s Worst Bosses LIST.Our task as panel members is to read through the hundred or so c...
2013-12-1708 minReflections on the Road to Respect3 Hot Tips for Bully-ProofingI noticed an older gentleman among the audience members waiting to speak to me after a recent conference presentation. When the room had cleared, he asked if I had a few extra minutes to talk with him.Turns out that the information in my presentation confirmed for him that he was being bullied at work. The perpetrator was a new hire who had become his supervisor.His was an all too familiar story. He had enjoyed a wonderful career with his current organization and was nearing retirement. He’d never had any issues with anyone he worked with and had no...
2013-11-1308 minReflections on the Road to RespectOctober 2013 eNews podcast interviewSomething I learned in short order when I started my career as a Labour Relations Advisor at Canadian Airlines was that lawyer Sue Paish, and her colleagues Patricia Janzen and Lorene Novakowski at Russell and DuMoulin, as the firm was then called, were women I wanted to get to know. I heard them speak at numerous Labour, Employment and Human Rights conferences. I read the book Ms. Paish co-authored; - Act Don’t React – Dealing with Sexual Harassment in Your Organization. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2013-10-2214 minReflections on the Road to RespectFull Interview with Sue PaishSomething I learned in short order when I started my career as a Labour Relations Advisor at Canadian Airlines was that lawyer Sue Paish, and her colleagues Patricia Janzen and Lorene Novakowski at Russell and DuMoulin, as the firm was then called, were women I wanted to get to know. I heard them speak at numerous Labour, Employment and Human Rights conferences. I read the book Ms. Paish co-authored; - Act Don’t React – Dealing with Sexual Harassment in Your Organization. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2013-10-221h 05Reflections on the Road to RespectThe Secretary of StateHilary Rodham Clinton — Leadership LessonsIn June I had the opportunity to present at the annual SHRM conference in Chicago. One of the highlights of that experience was being in the audience for the opening keynote delivered by former US Secretary of State Hilary Rodham Clinton.If you’re a regular reader/listener, you will know that the topic of Women, Position & Power is one that I have been increasingly focused on over the last couple of years. Our October post will feature Sue Paisch, former managing partner of Fasken DuMoullin, now CEO of Lifelabs.Forbes magazine recently ranked Ms. Clinton 5th o...
2013-09-1010 minReflections on the Road to RespectThe Power of PossibilityThroughout the 3 day event, Ms. Sasevich showed us, gave us examples of, and shared ideas about what might be possible for us in our businesses. On the trip home, as I imagined all of the new products, strategies and initiatives I could develop and implement to support growth in my business, I began to appreciate how transformative it can be when one is really open to what might be possible, when one chooses to believe that a certain outcome can in fact happen. It occurred to me that Ms. Sasevich had allowed me to discover the Power of Possibility. I...
2013-06-1111 minReflections on the Road to RespectThe Value of Meditation at WorkWork related stress is now the leading cause of workplace disability, costing the Canadian economy close to $5 billion a year. Doing more with less is the mantra in many of today`s workplaces. Change is the name of the game. Given those realities, the likelihood that work related stress is going to end anytime soon is slim to none.So what`s an employer to do?How about offering a weekly, 30 minute meditation class?Wendy Quan, Organizational Change Manager at Pacific Blue Cross has been leading a weekly meditation class for her colleagues for the past 2 years. The class has...
2013-05-1409 minReflections on the Road to RespectWendy Quan interviewThis is the full interview with Wendy Quan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2013-05-1432 minReflections on the Road to RespectPut the Snakes on the TableHave you given much thought to the notion of behavioural accountability in your workplace?We often hear about the importance of holding employees accountable. That expression seems to imply that something, or more commonly, someone external to that employee, is responsible for ensuring that an employee lives up to her/his end of the employment contract. It expresses a cultural norm with respect to power and empowerment within an organization.I would also argue that it speaks to a reactive, rather than a proactive norm within an organization. It often means that those in positions of hierarchical power, managers and sup...
2013-04-1608 minReflections on the Road to RespectInterview with Janine NorthI had the opportunity to meet Janine North, CEO Northern Development Initiative Trust when I attended the 4th Annual Leadership Lessons from Influential Women in Business conference co-hosted by Business in Vancouver and the Professional Women’s Network on November 1, 2012. After hearing her speak as a panel member, I knew I wanted to include her in this series. I would describe Ms. North as a respectful, heart-centered leader. Her calm, focused and confident energy permeated our conversation. I left my recent interview with Ms. North feeling reflective and inspired. She is the kind of leader I aspire to be.Here ar...
2013-03-1241 minReflections on the Road to RespectHow North Shore Credit Union is Getting Respect RightOne of the main reasons I chose the title Road to Respect for my book was to emphasize the journey involved in creating a values based, respectful workplace culture. This is not about a quick trip with a speedy arrival at your destination. Aligning your workplace policies, behaviours and practices to reflect the ethical value of respect can take years.That kind of organizational journey requires commitment from senior leadership. According to Issy Sharp, founder of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts and innovator of its award winning Golden Rule Culture 20182018Enforcing our credo was the hardest part.201D As I...
2013-02-1210 minReflections on the Road to RespectAre You Creating a Business Culture of RespectIt2019s a New Year, a time when many of us are making resolutions. If attracting and retaining top talent, and/or achieving sustainable business success are goals you2019ve set for 2013, I2019d like to suggest that you add Creating a Culture of Respect to your list. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2013-01-1510 minReflections on the Road to RespectA Christmakuh StoryI didn2019t grow up celebrating Christmas. It was 201Ctheir201D holiday. It wasn2019t until I met my late husband that I experienced the 201Cmagic201D of Christmas; the amazing smell of a living tree, the fun of decorating, the comfort of lights on dark winter evenings, the eggnog, the gingerbread and of course, the chocolate. I was hooked!On December 6, 2001 my husband was diagnosed with terminal cancer. He had his first chemotherapy treatment a few days later and spent his last Christmas in a hospital bed. As was his habit, he had already bought the tree, and most...
2012-12-1114 minReflections on the Road to RespectInterview with Faye WightmanMs. Whiteman’s career path was shaped by the untimely death of her physician husband. She chose to return to school so that she could teach nursing and have a more predictable schedule than she did as a hospital program nurse working shifts on the open heart unit.However, as so often happens in life, that plan never materialized. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2012-11-1343 minReflections on the Road to Respect"Respectful" JokingMy book, Road to Respect, starts with a chapter entitled 201CChoosing to Walk the Talk.201D 201CLeading the Change201C is the final chapter of the book which starts with this quote by Albert Schweitzer: 201CExample is not the main thing in influencing others. It is the only thing.201D The importance of a personal commitment to respect and leading by example are central themes in the book, practices I have worked hard to personally integrate in my life. I mean, if I am going to inspire others to be respectful and live up to my reputation as, in the...
2012-10-1608 minReflections on the Road to RespectThe Respect EffectI discovered RespectfulWorkplace.com, a site 201Cdevoted entirely to fostering awareness and providing resources for creating more respect in the workplace201D in early 2009. When I learned that the new site was looking for contributors, I jumped at the chance to become involved. I contacted Melanie Sklarz, web content coordinator, the conversation started, and I2019ve been a regular contributor ever since. After Road to Respect was published Melanie interviewed me for one of our posts.RespectfulWorkplace.com is a division of Legacy Business Cultures,(formerly Edge Learning of Ohio), founded in 1997 by Managing Partner Paul Meshanko. I view Melanie...
2012-09-1808 minReflections on the Road to RespectLessons Learned in DallasThese days we2019re hearing a lot about values based leadership. That was not the case in 1960 when Issy Sharp, founder of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, opened his first hotel. If you2019ve read Road to Respect you may recall that Issy2019s decision to build his workplace culture on the 201CGolden Rule,201D (treat others as you would like to be treated) was met with scepticism from many on his senior team. But Issy was undaunted. He firmly believed that if his staff felt appreciated and esteemed, they would deliver exceptional service and make hotel guests feel valued...
2012-08-0609 minReflections on the Road to RespectInterview with Donna WilsonWill Are We There Yet? Second in an interview series On April 30th, I sat down with Donna Wilson, VP, Industry Services & Sustainability at WorkSafeBC , to get her perspective on Women, Position & Power. Ms. Wilson has a wealth of knowledge and experience and I found her story fascinating. I encourage you to listen to the entire interview. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2012-06-1144 minReflections on the Road to RespectWill New Law Make BC Bully Free?On Thursday May 3, BC Labor Minister Margaret MacDiarmid tabled amendments to the Workers Compensation Act to address workplace bullying and harassment. BC is following a legislative trend which began 2004 when Quebec amended its Labour Standards legislation to include psychological harassment 2013 aka workplace bullying.What is psychological harassment? Any vexatious behaviour in the form of repeated and hostile or unwanted conduct, verbal comments, actions or gestures, that affects an employee2019s dignity or psychological or physical integrity and that results in a harmful work environment for the employee. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2012-05-1007 minReflections on the Road to RespectVote for EricaThis month I am asking all of you in the Road to Respect community to help me become North America’s Next Greatest Speaker.In February I presented Speak Up: Speak Out – Personal Power and Respect in Business at the Vancouver chapter of eWomenNetwork. After the presentation Pamela Chatry, Executive Managing Director told me about a speakers competition that eWomenNetwork was holding and encouraged me to enter.eWomenNetwork has thousands of members. Many of those members are also members of the eWomenNetwork speakers bureau. Many are professional speakers.In spite of the fact that I really didn’t think I had a hop...
2012-04-1205 minReflections on the Road to RespecteNews March 2012 - Psychopathic BossesAs I frequently tell my audiences, one of the most encouraging findings with respect to workplace bullying is the evidence that establishes the effectiveness of coaching in shifting the behaviour of individuals who routinely engage in disrespectful, power based behaviours. The exception, I point out, would be that small percentage of individuals, 1% within the general population, who can be classified as psychopaths; individuals who are incapable of changing their behaviour because they lack empathy and feel no remorse or guilt, regardless of what they say or do.Until recently, I assumed that we would find that same small percentage reflected...
2012-03-1206 minReflections on the Road to RespecteNews for February 2012 - Interview with Anne KinvigThis article highlights some of what my first guest Anne Kinvig COO of Pacific Blue Cross & BC Life shared in her interview. This is the first in the series, which will continue once a quarter throughout 2012. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2012-02-1420 minReflections on the Road to RespectInterview with Anne KinvigThis is Erica Pinsky's full 35 minute recorded interview with Anne Kinvig, COO of Pacific Blue Cross Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2012-02-0836 minReflections on the Road to RespectOut With the Old - In With Respect for 2012It’s a New Year. In spite of the fact that according to the Mayan calendar it is also going to be our last, I am feeling very optimistic about 2012.One reason for my optimism is the fact that Values.com, The Foundation for A Better Life, an organization that I blogged about last year has not only survived, but is thriving. It now has the economic clout to advertise in multiple media streams to promote the importance of values in making a positive difference in people’s lives and communities. During the holiday season I passed a billboard that caug...
2012-01-1708 minReflections on the Road to RespectRely on Respect to Ignite InnovationIf you have had a chance to check out my web site lately, you might remember reading this on the home page. Bullying and harassment produce disconnected, fear based cultures where employees won’t speak up. And when employees are afraid to speak up, not only are costly problems going on unresolved, but innovative and creative ideas that will enhance your organizational effectiveness are being stifled.In Road to Respect, I talk about the fact that it is not the absence of disrespect in and of itself that creates superior business results. Rather it is the releasing of individual potential th...
2011-12-1307 minReflections on the Road to RespectA Christmukah StoryThere is a lot to celebrate this month. In addition to the holiday season, December 3 is International Day of Persons with Disabilities and December 10, International Human Rights Day, marking the 63rd anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.I didn’t grow up celebrating Christmas. It was “their” holiday. It wasn’t until I met my late husband that I experienced the “magic” of Christmas; the amazing smell of a living tree, the fun of decorating, the comfort of lights on dark winter evenings, the eggnog, the gingerbread and of course, the chocolate. I was hooked!On December...
2011-12-1310 minReflections on the Road to RespectRCMP Sexual Harassment CBC Interview with Erica Pinsky Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2011-11-1520 minReflections on the Road to RespectAn Ounce of PreventionAt a recent networking event I was standing near a couple of younger women who were deep in a conversation about challenges they were facing at work. After introducing ourselves I learned that they both work in large organizations, each in a position of power. One woman was talking about a staff member who seemed to have no idea as to what constituted appropriate workplace behaviour. Apparently this is a common problem because the other woman seemed to be experiencing a lot of the same issues at her workplace.... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more info...
2011-11-0707 minReflections on the Road to RespectAre You Ready for the Participation Age?Ever heard of Dagenham, England? I know I hadn’t until very recently when I saw Made in Dagenham, a film about female employees at the Ford Plant who walked off their jobs in 1968 to protest the fact that they were getting paid a lot less than men doing work of equal value. It was that action that led to the passage of the Equal Pay Act in Britain. It wasn’t long before countries on both sides of the pond followed suit and passed similar pieces of legislation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more info...
2011-10-0509 minReflections on the Road to RespectInterview with Heritage LawI heard about Heritage Law quite by accident. I met lawyer Monique Shebbeare at a networking event. I learned that she was working in a firm focused on estates, wills and family law. Then she shared that she is the mother of an 18 month old. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2011-10-0543 minReflections on the Road to RespectInterview with Marni Johnson of North Shore Credit UnionAs I discuss in Road to Respect, building a respectful workplace culture is not about adopting a paper strategy. It is about the willingness of those in leadership to really walk the talk, to take action to ensure that the policy serves as a foundation for a truly respectful, values driven culture. Apparently, that willingness is thriving among the leaders at NSCU. Michele had nothing but positive things to say about her experience working with North Shore Credit Union. Although she was not an employee, she was immediately welcomed and made to feel like part of the team.She described...
2011-10-0435 minReflections on the Road to RespectInterview with John DeHart of Nurse Next DoorI had the opportunity last month to sit down with John DeHart and learn more about what propelled Nurse Next Door to the number one spot as BC’s Top Employer. I am pleased to be able to share the highlights with you in this first e-news of a new decade. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2011-09-3037 min