Angie McLeod

If you are finding yourself cocooned in your house because of the winter wonderland that has descended upon us, now is a great time to explore some of our favourite blog posts from 2018. So cozy up with your tea, a blanket, and your computer and enjoy. Our Top 5 Blogs of 2018 are definitely worth a read, if you haven’t already, or a second look through if you have! #1) A leap of faith: from scarcity to abundance for non-profits What if we thought it terms of abundance … that

Consistent and varied community engagement is key. Recently I wrote an article about the importance of non-profits building strong relationships with stakeholders and the community as a whole to achieve organizational goals. In this article, I alluded to the fact that many non-profits avoid “asking” their stakeholders and community for help—even though it strengthens community connections. In the past I’ve facilitated engagement processes where the non-profit leader has been

It’s worth it to make connections and ask for help. Often, when I help organizations with strategic planning, they want to get input from those who they serve (their stakeholders). They want to know what their stakeholders and community members want/need to ensure they offer responsive programs and services. Too often though, they haven’t invested time and energy in building these relationships prior to the process; and are disappointed when the invitation is sent and only a

The reality is that not all conversations go the way we want them to. Some plug along in neutral, wishy-washy by their very nature. Others we know going in are going to be tense, as the conversation topic is fraught with misunderstanding or the level of trust between participants is low. And still others take an unexpected turn and we lose control of where the conversation is going and the intent of connecting. This is real life. As individuals who are part of these conversat

Judith E. Glaser, founder of the Creating WE Institute and author of Conversational Intelligence, notes that 9/10 conversations miss their mark. As someone who communicates for a living, this statistic is shocking. I’d like to think that my conversations are MUCH more effective and impactful than that. And yet, when I assess my conversations based on the three levels of conversation matrix (see image), I can see that I regularly have conversations in each of the zones – and a

Our brains are intrinsically wired to release a number of neurochemicals—some that lead to stress and arousal, and some that lead to a sense of connection, calm, and pleasure. 1 We know the difference, because we feel the difference. For the purposes of today’s post, we are going to explore the role of oxytocin and cortisol. Each plays a vital role in how we respond to various situations. What is interesting to note about each of these chemicals is that they are part of a “ch

At the heart of collaboration—a favourite topic of mine—is community. For me, community can best be described as the group of people who you feel connected to. These are the people that you “belong” to; people who welcome you and celebrate you, for who you are; people who respect your thoughts, ideas, and perspectives—even if they are different than your own. This sense of belonging, being respected, and being included, are essential to our personal health and wellness—of how

You’ve got to have friends. Being a leader in business—whether you run a non-profit or a small business, can be lonely. You have a lot of responsibility. Limited time. Competing demands. Something has to give. For many of us, what gives is our social life. We are so busy managing our daily to-do lists, ensuring everything around us has what they need, that we run out of steam by the end of the day. At least that is the way things work for me. I recently had a good friend (and

It’s been an interesting year so far here at HIP Strategic Consulting and in my world in general: a year of highs and lows. My year started off with a BANG! Lots of changes (by choice) and exciting new contracts (and opportunities)—it was exhilarating! Then, I got in my own way … and found myself sinking into self-doubt, fear of failure, and disillusionment: my own personal quagmire of quicksand. And my accountability partner (whom I love, but I don’t always like when she spe

Collaboration. It’s a term that many throw around as a means to achieving better results in business. Yet so few of us actually implement it in business. But in my home community of Maple Ridge, collaboration is what makes our community (and our community events) thrive! Collaborative examples in Maple Ridge include the Haney Farmers Market, the annual Earth Day Celebration, the HIVE Neighbourhood Centre in Eric Langton Elementary, Family Literacy Day…. the list could go on.

Networking is an essential part of building a strong business. Or so the story has gone for decades. Get out there. Meet people. Identify needs. Solve problems. Build business. But is it working? I attend a lot of networking events. I connect with people. I ask questions, learn about someone’s business and product, and find out what drives them. I shake a lot of hands. They, in turn, inquire about what it is I do. Sometimes we connect. Sometimes we don’t. And while a small pe

As a community developer, I’ve long known how important is to feel like we belong: that we have a tribe of likeminded individuals in our corner; that we have a “support network” upon which we can rely should things get tough. When we feel like we belong, we are healthier and stronger, and lead longer lives. Of course, this applies in our daily lives at home. But how much does this sense of belonging impact us when it comes to business? If you’ve been reading my blog posts of

You’re the expert on your business. But every now and then, it’s helpful to connect with other inspiring women entrepreneurs. By collectively discussing the monthly theme, leave inspired, refreshed, and ready to conquer business challenges. It’s called “collective wisdom” for a reason: learn the tips and tricks of others, share experiences, and change your perspective. Meet likeminded businesswomen in a no-stress setting. It’s networking that doesn’t feel like networking—we’r

March 8th marks International Women’s Day. This year’s theme is #beboldforchange. Women around the world are striving together to forge a better world – a more gender-equal, inclusive world. This campaign has five streams that you can pledge to support or be active in: Challenge biases and inequality Campaign against violence Forge women’s advancement Celebrate women’s achievements Champion women’s education Which one will you choose? Use the social media hashtag to #beboldfo

In my 20’s I had a friend who hosted an annual Winter Blues Party in February. We gathered at his home for a potluck meal, a fire, and some warm, welcome company. It blew away the gloom, our desire to cocoon, and got us outside, mingling, and having fun! I’m sharing this story because there are so many simple ways to blow away the winter blues. February offers a number of opportunities’ to do just that: February 13th is Family Day in British Columbia; February 14th is Valen

I know when you read the term literacy, you mind automatically goes to reading and writing. And that is a part of literacy, but it’s not the whole. One of the things that I love about the local Literacy group – and their partners – is that they are looking at literacy from a holistic perspective and how literacy can improve the lives of local residents. In their minds literacy isn’t just about the ABC’s and the 123’s; it also about knowing how to use a computer or your smar

I don’t love networking. I know that those of you who know me are likely saying ‘yeah, right Angie!?!” And I get that as most people see me as outgoing and extroverted. However, I find networking in its’ traditional sense to be incongruent and uncomfortable. Too often I find myself in a networking situation where I’m chatting with someone, wanting to learn more about them and the conversation ends invariably ends up being a “sales” pitch from one or the other of us. And th

I have long been a proponent of the power of food in creating connections, opening up doors, and breaking down barriers. Food is a natural connector. Food is a shared basic need required to survive and thrive. Food is the natural common denominator that helps us bond with each other. For me, food is a necessary ingredient at all of my events. It helps to put individuals at ease and it provides an easy topic of conversation: who made this wonderful dish? can I have the reci