Numerous Narratives

“A diverse mix of voices leads to better discussions, decisions, and outcomes for everyone.” — Sundar Pichai My job/career journey has been one of fortune and resilience Born into poverty, I was raised by hard-working parents and grandparents working together to instill the value of perseverance and extreme resiliency in my siblings and I. Their collective efforts were always aimed at our betterment and a successful life. From those modest beginnings in subsidized housing, I dreamt of good ...

"The central idea in The Black Swan is that: rare events cannot be estimated from empirical observation since they are rare." ~ Nassim Nicholas Taleb & "In economic life and history more generally, just about everything of consequence comes from black swans; ordinary events have paltry effects in the long term." ~ Nassim Nicholas Taleb Nassim Nicholas Taleb introduced the concept of the Black Swan event, which describes unforeseen and rare events that have a significant impact and cat...

“Antifragility is beyond resilience or robustness. The resilient resists shocks and stays the same; the antifragile gets better.” ― Nassim Nicholas Taleb, Antifragile: Things That Gain from Disorder Having worked as a coach, educator, and administrator, I have first-hand experience of the difficulties that students, parents, and staff can encounter. Therefore, I am always seeking ways to support and aid them. It is essential to me that everyone feels listened to and comprehended, and unders...

“The bad news is that the obsession with social media is almost certainly producing unhealthy side effects. Scientists have discovered that constant exposure to websites like Facebook and Twitter can alter the brain, affecting the ability to process emotions. It can also lead to restlessness, negative self-image, a decline in happiness, and in extreme cases, depression.” – Damon Zahariades. & “I feel social media can be very distracting, unhealthy, and harmful to one’s self-confidence. ...

Antifragility refers to systems that not only withstand stressors, shocks, and volatility but also thrive, improve and become more resilient because of them. Schools Schools can utilize hybrid online learning platforms like Google Classroom and MS Teams Assignments to maintain educational continuity during individual (student or teacher absences) or whole school disruptions. By treating schools as microcosms of society, students can be exposed to mini-challenges that prepare them for real-wor...

Your workforce is your most valuable asset. The knowledge and skills they have represent the fuel that drives the engine of business - and you can leverage that knowledge. Harvey Mackay Leverage can take various forms to achieve success, depending on goals, environment, and resources. Funds to Expand Financial leverage, when used effectively, can empower a company to hire new employees or open new branches, accelerating its progress and enabling it to achieve its goals with confidence and ...

One common economic fallacy is the belief that any economic activity, such as spending money to repair a broken window, automatically boosts the economy. This mindset fails to consider the hidden costs of repairs and that the money spent on repairs could have been used for potentially more productive investments. Here are three examples of how governments fall into the Broken Window Fallacy: Money Spent On Natural Disasters When a natural disaster occurs, there is usually a temporary increase...

I learned these qualities from my parents and grandparents because they faced a tremendous amount of challenges due to poverty, racism and discrimination because of their heritage, indigenous. Most importantly, I have taught these qualities to my two boys. To succeed at almost everything, overcoming challenges and achieving short-term and long-term goals is essential. Grit must have internal motivation; we need a strong passion for and commitment to a particular goal to achieve it despite obst...

Generational trauma refers to emotional and psychological wounds that are passed down from one generation to the next Generational Trauma Linked To War, Genocide, Colonization, Discrimination, Poverty I tend to see generational trauma in individuals who have undergone war, genocide, colonization, discrimination, poverty, or other forms of systemic oppression and violence. As a result, generational trauma impacts descendants, influencing their mental health, behaviour, relationships, and overal...

Flexibility, Accessibility, & Interactivity In Its Asynchronous Learning Coursera prioritizes flexibility, accessibility, and interactivity in its asynchronous learning structure, allowing learners to engage with course materials at their own pace and according to their preferences. Asynchronous Lectures, Assignments, Quizzes, Exams, & Interactions High schools can adopt a similar, easy-to-use structure, following a structured curriculum that includes asynchronous lectures, assignment...

“Because there are three classes of intellects: one which comprehends by itself; another which appreciates what others comprehend; and a third which neither comprehends by itself nor by the showing of others; the first is the most excellent, the second is good, the third is useless.” ― Niccolò Machiavelli, The Prince I think in small structured steps or frameworks when problem-solving.  The 1-3-1 framework is one of my favourite strategies for problem-solving and decision-making.  It's a si...

"So. Monday. We meet again. We will never be friends — but maybe we can move past our mutual enmity toward a more-positive partnership" – Julio Alexi Genao Mondays can feel tough after work After a relaxing or a busy weekend, it can be challenging to get back into the groove of work. Productive time management and planning the pile of tasks waiting after the weekend, making it feel overwhelming. We transition from a more relaxed weekend mindset to a more structured work routine. At times ...

Grit, Positive Attitude & Marginal Gains Grit and a positive attitude are crucial factors in achieving excellence in basketball. Grit means overcoming limitations and setbacks, persisting despite adversity, and constantly striving to improve by 1% each day through collecting marginal gains. It means refusing to give up and gathering extra effort when feeling drained. Double-loop Learning Double-loop learning is a crucial principle that goes hand in hand with grit. It focuses on reflecting...

Lack of Stable & Affordable Housing The lack of stable and affordable housing in urban centres of Canada can lead to several related issues that contribute to substance abuse. Economic stress resulting from housing instability can make individuals more susceptible to turning to drugs or alcohol as a coping mechanism. Hopelessness & Despair Moreover, the inability to afford housing can lead to feelings of hopelessness and despair, further worsening substance abuse problems. Homelessne...

When a volunteer high school basketball coach plays politics... The coach has his negative biases, discriminations, and personal agendas. Such coaches showcasing favouritism over factors like merit, skill development, and fair competition breed whole team negativity and lack of trust in the coaches and in the basketball program. The best and most skilled players feel: sidelined undervalued unfairly treated Negatively affect morale Reduce or destroy motivation When a player is an elite har...

Teams Achieve Better Outcomes Teams are a big deal in organizations for many reasons. They bring us together with different skills, knowledge, and expertise, which makes problem-solving and decision-making much more effective. When we support each other's strengths and compensate for weaknesses, we can achieve better outcomes than doing it alone. More Productive Plus, teams are more productive because they assign us tasks based on our strengths. This way, the work is completed faster and wit...

Educators' Resistance A number of significant challenges need to be addressed in research and development within the field of education. Allocating funds for studies, equipment, and personnel often diverts resources from other crucial educational areas, posing a financial challenge. However, advancements in teaching and learning hold immense potential to accelerate the adoption of innovative practices despite educators' resistance to embracing new methodologies or technologies developed throu...

Thucydides's trap is a geopolitical theory based on an inevitable conflict due to competition and power dominance. Who? Which countries? USA & alliances/allies China & alliances/allies Why would this occur? Power Shifts Competition for Resources Security Dilemma such as arms race Nationalism and Identity historical grievances Ideological Differences liberal democracies and authoritarian regimes influence/values Historical Precedents maybe a self-fulfilling prophecy Where would t...

I was reflecting on some of Peter Drucker's books. It is crucial to recognize and understand organizational politics within structures. Organizations and businesses are made up of individuals with objectives and spheres of influence. Your success largely relies on identifying and engaging with key decision-makers, understanding their goals, and finding ways to align them with yours. Effectively impacting organizational settings is a skill that can be learned. It involves strategies such as act...

Such an outstanding read. 12 really well-thought-out points or rules in life that we all live through. These 12 rules are: Be confident in yourself. Treat yourself like someone you are responsible for helping. Make friends with people who want the best for you. Compare yourself to who you were yesterday, not to someone else. Take ownership in parenting your children; invest in them. Be honest and self-critical before you criticize the world. Pursue what is meaningful (not what is expedient...

Over the next 365 days, I've dedicated 20 minutes daily to riding the Airdyne bike, often called "The Misery Bike" by some.  High-intensity Interval Trainer What sets this machine apart is its fluid motion and steady, fan-based resistance, making it a low-impact cardio workout. As a total body machine, Airdyne bikes are challenging, intense, and painful, and they build willpower. Rather than viewing it solely as a cardio machine, I perceive Airdyne bikes more as high-intensity interval train...

I just read an outstanding article from The Walrus Magazine, "Are Workplaces Inherently Toxic? Bullying. Harassment. Horrible bosses. How dream jobs turn into nightmares," by Samia Madwar. Here are some critical takes: Harmful Mental & Physical Well-being Toxic workplaces can be incredibly harmful environments where employees face high levels of stress, negativity, and dysfunction, affecting their mental and physical well-being. Poor Communication This toxicity often stems from poor ...

Over the years in a dedicated sport, the hours add up if a student-athlete continues within the chosen sport: 20-50 hours of training/practicing/game play = ages 7-11 100s of hours of training/practicing/game play = ages 11-14 1000-10,000 hours of training/practicing/game play by ages 14-19 As research shows from the work of psychologist Anders Ericsson and author Malcolm Gladwell, high school student-athlete development of basketball skills, such student-athletes can become elite in their s...

10,000 hours to master mid-range shooting in basketball, a goal that could potentially bring great rewards, requires a significant investment of time. This is where Malcolm Gladwell's concept, popularized in his book 'Outliers,' comes into play. It suggests that deliberate training, when applied consistently over a long period, can lead to mastery in any field, including basketball. Reinforce Muscle Memory I structure extensive daily training for my boy, Parker, which requires setting clear go...

This book is a wonderful, insightful read. It made me think about how the education sector, especially high school and college/university, will need to innovate or face many disruptive innovators' dilemmas. Educational Disruptive Innovation High schools and colleges have the potential to revolutionize education through disruptive innovation. By focusing on simplicity, affordability, and accessibility, these institutions can make education more inclusive and reach the underserved or marginal...

Thinking back on many years living in government housing in Abbotsfield, I realize these were tough socioeconomic times. We lived an impoverished existence, just trying to eat and survive. "Living a dream" has the opposite meaning of "Living THE Dream." For some individuals, saying they are "Living THE Dream" typically implies experiencing an unfulfilling or unexciting lifestyle, often involving doing something uninspiring. These individuals are not satisfied or optimistic. Teaching and coac...

In Canada, more than 30% of the healthcare system is privatized, with provincial and federal governments gradually allowing American healthcare companies to enter the market. However, despite having a universal healthcare system, Canada faces significant challenges. According to a study comparing 30 countries with universal healthcare, Canada ranked poorly in several key areas. It ranked 28th for the number of doctors, 23rd for somatic care beds, and 23rd for psychiatric beds. Additionally, in...

To ensure that ideas stick, they need to possess two essential qualities that resonate with people, prompting them to eagerly share these concepts with others. Simplifying complex concepts into a simple statement makes ideas more attainable and coherent. Appealing to Our Natural Curiosity Journalist authors, such as Malcolm Gladwell, craft captivating book titles to provide the idea that receives the attention it deserves. When presenting sticky ideas unexpectedly, they capture our attention...

Now, Signal Messenger is considered the gold standard for private, secure, and encrypted messaging. In today's world, journalists are at risk of being killed for exposing the truth and challenging certain governments. Therefore, it is crucial for them to use the best encryption messaging systems to share their findings with the public. In 2023, approximately 45 journalists were killed for these reasons. Reporters Without Borders (RSF), an international non-profit organization, recommends that ...

There's a simple reason why people have been asking for encryption on their mobile and computer devices for the past 15 years. The public wants privacy from governments, companies, and organizations. I have yet to meet one person who does not mind any of those three organizations prying into a person's personal or social life via their mobile device or computer device. In the 1960s, '70s, and '80s, people were shocked to find out that specific government organizations and police services wer...