Dickson Wood + Associates Inc.

Challenges vs. Choices
We hear a lot these days about ‘taking up the challenge’. But, what does that really mean? A challenge isn’t just about doing something that is hard to do. The fact that it’s tough some mornings to force oneself out of the comfort of our bed doesn’t constitute a ‘challenge’. That is simply a choice – “Do I stay in bed or do I get up?” If we are asked to do something that we know we are capable of doing, we know how it is done and we know we have the resources to do it, then all we need to do is apply the effort. Either we chose to put in the effort or we chose not to.

A true challenge, however, is about doing something that involves uncertainty regarding the likelihood of success. A challenge inherently contains an element of potential failure.

A challenge is when we don’t know if we have the capability, knowledge and resources to do what is asked of us.

We Work With Leaders and Managers!

Professional / Functional Leaders
Professionals whose competence has resulted in their appointment to a leadership role.

It is natural for those with superior professional abilities to be promoted into managerial and leadership positions. Indeed, an important part of professional development is the mentoring that a veteran is able to provide to their junior counterparts. However, leadership roles are seldom limited to the sharing of technical wisdom. As often as not, newly appointed functional leaders soon become immersed in issues of performance management, team dynamics, conflict management, change management, etc.

We work with functional leaders on a one-to-one or small group basis to enhance and expand their leadership and management skills. We customize development a plan for each leader. The objective is to create a higher level of confidence in the role that the individual has assumed.

Entrepreneurial / Emerging Leaders
Professionals whose role has expanded with the growth of the organization.

The convergence of many societal, technological and economic factors has resulted in an explosion of entrepreneurial activity in every sector. Deregulation, advances in technology and outsourcing, among other factors, have resulted in the proliferation of new companies. As these companies grow the original leaders are faced with increasing organizational issues. Reporting structures, decision-making processes, policy development and, performance monitoring all demand the attention of the very people who likely started the company, in part, to escape the formality associated with large companies. Their greatest desire is to foster the continued growth of the company while maintaining the ‘small company’ atmosphere; a noble purpose, indeed. But, very difficult to do without some support and guidance along the way. We can help leaders establish clarity in these challenging situations.

Established Leaders
It really can be ‘lonely at the top!’

The isolation that accompanies a senior role often presents a dilemma for executives. Faced with conflicting demands and expectations from various stakeholders, a senior manager often has no one to offer a fresh perspective on the challenges they face. Discussions with coleagues are impaired by confidentiality issues. Before taking action, a leader often needs a way to distill and refine their thinking. Associates with DW & A have been in senior leadership roles. We know the value of a neutral opinion and can ask the probing questions that will help build confidence in a leader’s course of action.

dickson-wood@shaw.ca

ph. 403.510.7770