Like everyone, I have endured many challenging professional experiences and had to work closely with individuals that would not have been on my list of favourite people. Some would say “that’s why we get paid the big-bucks”. Regardless, the key question for me is what to do with the multitude of learnings I have acquired over more than 25 years as a health executive. Recently I was privileged to have the opportunity to provide leadership coaching to a bright young enthusiastic woman who had been promoted to the position of Executive Director. Our conversations primarily related to the challenges she was facing. While the specifics were unique to her and her organization, every one of her conundrums were ones which I had dealt with myself. What a delight it was to have someone else derive some benefit from my own experiences, failures and successes, all with the benefit of hindsight and reflection.
My career began as a co-op student at the University of Waterloo . My first professional job was with Algoma Steel , an illustrious company in Sault Ste. Marie , Ontario. The job started in January 1980, working for the MIS department in their Database Administration group. Winter in the Sault are legendary, for those of you who don't know where Sault Ste. Marie I welcome you to look it up and see the winter temperatures. The company, the people and the job experience was great, and I was pleased and happy to be asked to return for a second work-term the following year, this time in the fall a glorious time to be in Algoma and experience the fall colours of Agawa Canyon . Following this wonderful experience my next company job was with Canada Trust in their IT Headquarters in London, Ontario. Further south, and again a great company, exceptional professionals and fulfilling job roles for a student yet to complete his degree. I worked with the credit card processing, mortgages a
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