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I often start my day by pulling a tarot card. My question is usually "What is something I need to pay attention to today?" This card, The Mentor of Feathers (from the out of print Collective Tarot deck), keeps coming up for me. The Mentor of Feathers is like the king of air. It's the last card in the suit that's about communication and intellect. The description says "This card is about owning your knowledge , taking authorship and being the wise bird that you are."

What do you need to say out loud to the world?

I love to dare people to do the things they're scared to do or feel stuck around.

In the past couple of weeks I've:

• Challenged a former lawyer who has started writing a book to reach out to 3 publishers.
• Challenged an executive to tell the stories of her Board service that illustrate ways to decolonize governance
• Challenged a coaching colleague to include the big awards he's won in his bio.

Are you stuck somewhere around using your voice?

Email me with what you're stuck on and I'll offer you a challenge. You can say yes, no, or renegotiate my challenge.

Unlearning Silence

I'm really excited to be in conversation with Elaine Lin Hering, author of Unlearning Silence: How to Speak Your Mind, Unleash Talent, and Live More Fully, at Minerva's Face of Inclusive Leadership Forum at the end of September 24-26. I'm a huge fan of hers!

We will explore the barriers to speaking up in the workplace, and the impact of silence on DEI efforts. Elaine will share her insights on the role of culture and upbringing in silence and offer actionable advice to enable leaders to create more inclusive environments.

Intercultural Development Inventory

I recently got certified as a qualified administrator for the IDI. It's an assessment that's used in corporate, educaiton and non-profit spaces around the world. It is an effective cross-culturally valid assessment for building cultural competence. The assessment is 50 questions and takes about 15-30 minutes and can be used for individuals or groups.

The IDI needs to be debriefed by an qualified administrator. We would go over your report so that you understand the model and your results. I'd also walk you through your individualized development plan that you'd complete after our debrief session.

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I like the Intercultural Development Continuum model as it helps you understand where you need to focus your development.

Until September I'm offering 45 min debrief sessions for $475. You'll need to spend 15-30 min ahead of time completing the 50 question assessment tool. In the debrief session I'll share more about the model, debrief your report with you and you'll leave with an self-guided individualized development plan. This includes the $33 assessment fee.

Coaching

It was an honour to coach Leila and to witness her really step into her power and own her voice. Here's what she had to say about the experience:

Other ways I can help you

I ask good questions that help organizations, teams and individuals see what's really going on below the surface. I then help them get clear on where they want to go. I'm here to make equitable futures irresistible.

Here's some of the work I've been doing with organizations recently:

• Co-designed a session for political candidates on how to take care of themselves and their teams by anchoring their work in their values.
• Delivered my Unapologetic Inclusion: Allyship in Action workshop to a Vancouver company for Pride.
• Participated in a design session for an accelerator program for mid-career professionals.

Resources for speaking truth to power

Throat Chakra Healing Insistute

If you're in Vancouver, check out Gurnimit's work at The Throat Chakra Healing Institute. I've been to a couple of his in person throat chakra classes and it's been interesting, beautiful and transformative. If you're not in Vancouver, you can still listen to his gorgeous voice on Spotify.

Permission to Speak

Samara Bay's Permission to Speak is a must read for anyone who needs to communicate effectively using their voice, whether that's giving a keynote to a huge audience or being heard in a meeting at work. She pulls from her background as a speaking coach for Hollywood actors, corporate executives and politicians and weaves in research about voice and power. I love the stories of her clients and practical voice exercises that she clearly explains. I went back and forth between the physical book and audiobook. The audiobook is narrated by Samara and is delightful to listen to.

The Floating Man

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"Writer-artist-filmmaker Michael V. Smith examines a lifetime of untrue stories about his body. In this unique blend of DIY documentary, art film, and videopoem, The Floating Man reveals an intimate self-portrait by a self-described sissy. This is a timely film examining the fictions of gender and the power of art to transform a life."

Michael V. Smith has been the embodiment of courage and voice for me for a long time.

What resources would you recommend? Hit reply and let me know!