Author Archives: Marguerite Orane

Deep Listening: The Leadership Skill No One Talks About

Have you ever been in a conversation where you realize the other person isn’t really listening? Or worse—where you catch yourself thinking about your response instead of truly hearing them?

This too shall pass – a Leader’s Guide to Calm, Clarity, and Choice

Reflecting on my emotions over the last few days, it has occurred to me that what I’m feeling is similar to the early stages of the Covid 19 pandemic a few years ago.

How to Thrive in 2025 No Matter What

These are very uncertain tumultuous times. But then again, every year feels uncertain and tumultuous, doesn’t it? So, what’s different this time?

YOU!

Behind the Scowl: What Leaders Can Do When the Holidays Aren’t So ‘Wonderful’

“I don’t want to hear you on your f**king phone.”

I had just boarded the subway, excited to head downtown for my first Christmas concert this year — a much-anticipated evening of classical music with the world-renowned cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason. My mood was light and joyous. Just as I entered the station, my phone rang. Knowing I had a few minutes before the train pulled out and I lost the signal, I answered the call.

Leading When Nothing is Certain: Six Steps to Calm, Clarity, and Courage

In preparation for a Board of Directors Strategic Planning Retreat I am facilitating next week, I have been reading forecasts about the world in 2025. As usual, there are some dire predictions, but there are also some hopeful ones as well. And even some implausible ones such as, according to the Economist, gorillas getting their own bank accounts (as crazy as it sounds, it’s already in train). In all of this, there’s one certainty: Everything is uncertain

Because I Said So Is Not Enough: Why Leaders Must Challenge Outdated Rules

“Why do you want to?” I incredulously asked the security officer at the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston, in response to her request to feel my hair. Granted, at the time, I had a lot of hair, enough to ensconce a pound or two of drugs, is what she was probably thinking.

The Dark Side of Self-Care: Is It Making Us More Stressed?

Self-care.
The phrase has become a mantra in our lives, a constant reminder that we need to carve out time for ourselves in an increasingly busy world. It’s on mugs, T-shirts, and social media feeds everywhere. There’s no doubt that the core message is valuable: you can’t pour from an empty cup. I am the first to advocate for self-care. I practice it in my life, and have done so for years, following the example of my beautiful mother who was a self-care queen.

Learn how to make problem solving fun – play NYT Games

A few months ago, at a reunion of my business school girlfriends, a number of them waxed lyrical about NYT Games. We are all in our wisdom years, so we are very aware of the importance of keeping the mind active. Research has shown that mind games like crosswords, wordle, sudoku, help keep our minds active and alert. Intrigued, I downloaded the app (it’s free) and started playing.

Taking Charge of Your Own Development: A Leader’s Guide to Proactive Growth

In today’s fast-paced and ever-evolving environment, having robust Professional Development Plans is not just a nice-to-have – it’s a necessity. It’s critical to equip your team with the skills and competences they need to perform in their current role, and to ready them to play even bigger roles in the organization. And it’s even more critical for you, as the leader to have a Professional Development Plan.

How making friends at work enhances your life and the workplace

Have you ever wondered if your co-workers could be more than just colleagues? Could they be your friends, or even something more?
A few days ago, I hosted my friend Kay who was visiting Toronto from Jamaica, at the most joyous dinner with her daughter and my family. We have been friends since 1985. We met at work in 1985, and our friendship has remained strong and precious to us both.