Articles


Advancing ‘Social’ Technology Improves Healthcare by Lisa - 09-10-2021
With technology you have access to information on just about anything and you can collaborate on a myriad of projects and tasks across the globe. Yet, we have virtually no access let alone involvement in our own personal health information and
A Different Type of Feedback & Coaching Method by Lisa - 08-29-2017
In an age where the cognitive components of individual human intelligence are rapidly absorbed by smart algorithms, the next milestone of human performance is emotional and relational in nature. The Kingbridge Institute is now offering a NEW type
Do you know which emotional states help you achieve peak performance? by Lisa - 01-20-2017
Introducing The Kingbridge Institute - Where we use the latest mind-brain-body science to create the ultimate learning environment. Our work is focused on bringing the latest mind-brain-body science to executive skill development. We push the
Cultivating Your Personal Resilience by Mary Stacey - 12-09-2016
Written by: Mary Stacey, Context Consulting In today’s ‘always on’ environment, leaders experience pressure, information overload and constant distraction. Over time this sabotages many things, from their wellness to their ability to be
Exceptional Leadership, Requires Imaginative Thinking by Lisa - 05-24-2016
A few weeks ago we unveiled our second newly designed leadership workshop, Leading From Within, hosted by Kent Osborne. Those that attended the workshop valued one of the leadership tools that Kent shared with us, so we thought we would share
Conversations that Build Trust, Agility, Resilience & Creativity by Lisa - 04-27-2016
Last week at Kingbridge we unveiled our first newly designed leadership workshop, Leading through Conversations that Matter, hosted by Michael Jones. One of the techniques that Michael shared with the group involved using the ecology of a tree
Innovating for the Future with Outmoded Mentality? by Lisa - 10-10-2014
One of the most daunting challenges for leaders today is how to innovate and stay ahead of the curve.  It seems a herculean task for most and the question is always "why is this so hard?" The simple answer is that is isn't hard........if you are
Training for the Next Generation Workforce by Lisa - 09-05-2014
Last post we looked at the skills projected to be paramount for success in the workplace moving into 2020.  These included social intelligence, adaptive thinking, media literacy, and being trans-disciplinary.  And the need for these skills is
The Near Future of Work by Lisa - 08-22-2014
As the baby boomers retire and organizational leadership begins to make the shift into the next generation, a functional work environment will come with a significantly different set of required skills for success. Skills such as being
Are you leveraging the Informal Networks in your organization? by John - 07-25-2014
As a leader have you ever wondered why change initiatives so often don’t generate expected results?  How you can completely re-design a reporting structure and have so little change in the day to day operations and interactions?  The answer
Get off the Digital Soapbox by John - 06-27-2014
With the internet came the promise of global networks, information sharing and mass collaboration.  There has certainly been some of that but many have taken the reach the internet provides as an invitation to hop on their digital soapbox and
Big Data, Social Physics and the Value of Face to Face Interactions by John - 06-13-2014
What has always been the challenge of social scientists?  The limited, unreliable and more often than not subjective data with which the must work. Well, according to Alex “Sandy” Pentland, director of MIT’s Human Dynamics Laboratory and author
Is There Such a Thing as Too Much Collaboration? by John and Lisa - 05-23-2014
It has come to my attention recently that in these articles we have often explored the nuances of collaboration including the conditions and behaviours needed to get it right and the barriers you may face to success and how to identify pseudo
Are Your Employees Buying Your Leadership? by Lisa - 05-09-2014
In the May 2014 Harvard Business Review article "Blue Ocean Leadership" authors W. Chan Kim and Renee Mauborgne elaborated on their take on the issue of employee engagement in the workplace. Some startling statistics include that from Gallup's
Getting Disruptive Ideas to Market by John - 04-25-2014
This blog on bringing disruptive ideas to market was originally posted on Xconomy in July of 2007 however, I continue to get comments on the content and requests to speak regarding this topic so here it is back by popular demand! I’m interested
Hacking Work by John - 04-17-2014
Work is broken.  As Bill Jensen and Josh Klein point out in their book "Hacking Work", companies are moving faster, but not really getting anywhere. In fact organizational performance has been deteriorating for decades, regardless of economic
Measuring Collaboration ROI by John - 03-28-2014
In most cases an overall objection to collaboration within organizations is not an issue, however, the where, when and how of implementing collaborative systems is. Collaboration is an increasingly vital capability for organizations. But when
Do your Collaborative Leadership Skills measure up? by John - 03-14-2014
Carrying on the same vein as the last post, we move forward to the increasingly essential skill of collaboration, specifically for leaders. The Ivey Business Journal recently published an article "The Collaboration Imperative" exploring one of
How are your Strategic Leadership Skills? by John - 02-28-2014
Today's Fast Track article offered several guidelines/tips on how to be an effective strategic leader.  Upon reading this simple yet insightful article it struck me that many of the guidelines could easily be transformed into questions leaders could
Robot Collaboration by John - 02-21-2014
You are probably wondering how we could possibly program robots to collaborate when most of us have such a difficult time doing it effectively ourselves!  Well MIT researchers have recently discovered that it is quite a challenge indeed. ("Helping
Creating Engaging Environments by John - 02-07-2014
This week blogs.cisco.com had a great article on Creating Environments for Better Employee Engagement including some startling statistics on current employee engagement norms. "In its recent State of the Global Workplace, Gallup reports that only
The Dominance Problem by John - 01-24-2014
Another classic problem of most meetings is the dominance problem.  A few people intimidate others.  As a meeting organizer or leader how can you mitigate the negative effects these people can have on potential collaborations? Sometimes a few
TED@Your Company by John - 01-10-2014
Imagine giving your own TED talk – what ‘'idea worth spreading'’ would you share in 18 minutes or less? Recently, this question has been promoted from day dream to reality for some with the advent of TED’s professional development arm, the TED
How does a Collaborative Culture affect the Growth of an Organization? V-Blog by John - 12-20-2013
How does a collaborative culture affect the growth of an organization? from Kingbridge Conference Centre on
John Abele: Medical Devices to Conference Centre - The Connection by Lisa - 12-13-2013
John Abele, co-founder of Boston Scientific spent the better part of 4 decades pioneering the field of less invasive medicine.  With the undeniable success of Boston Scientific John has since pursued philanthropic endeavors including promoting
When Planning a Meeting, Place Matters: V-Blog by John - 11-29-2013
Why does place matter? from Kingbridge Conference Centre on
What is the benefit of offsite meetings? V-blog by John - 11-14-2013
What is the benefit of offsite meetings? from Kingbridge Conference Centre on
What is Meeting Design? V-Blog by John - 11-08-2013
What is Meeting Design? from Kingbridge Conference Centre on
Playing at work: The key to productivity and innovation by John and Lisa - 11-01-2013
In today’s climate of fast moving technology, heavy workloads and constant connectedness through mobile devices the vast majority of us have left play to the children and replaced it with work and responsibility. So, we don’t have time for play
What is Collaboration? V-Blog by John - 10-25-2013
What is Collaboration? from Kingbridge Conference Centre on
Debate to Collaborate! by John - 10-18-2013
This week at The Kingbridge Centre we have the pleasure of housing the 2013 International Independent Schools' Public Speaking Championship (IISPC) hosted by The Country Day School here in King City, Ontario. Students from across the globe ranging
Gaining Influence by Lisa - 08-19-2013
As a functional manager it is one thing to know that you have the information and potentially the answers to some of your organizations issues, it is quite another to influence senior or corporate management's decisions. In the most recent issue
Advancing 'Social' Technology Improves Healthcare by Lisa - 07-22-2013
With technology you have access to information on just about anything and you can collaborate on a myriad of projects and tasks across the globe. Yet, we have virtually no access let alone involvement in our own personal health information and
Collaboration in Hockey? by John - 07-08-2013
I don’t know whether it’s happened before, but for the Chicago Blackhawks, winner of the Hockey Stanley Cup, to take out an ad in the Boston Globe to thank their losing opponents, the Bruins, along with the Boston fans and the city itself for their
Leadership based on common sense by John - 06-24-2013
John Abele talks about how increasing complexity in business is distracting us from the 'basics' of leadership and value delivery. Leadership based on common sense from Kingbridge Conference Centre on
How do you introduce a totally new concept to a skeptical market? by John - 06-17-2013
Explore some of the idiosyncrasies of changing not only organizational culture but market perception with John Abele, Co-Founder Boston Scientific - a medical device company that helped pave the way for less invasive medicine. [vimeo 68547762
You don’t have to be a flea! by Lisa - 06-03-2013
We all have some – or many – unhealthy habits that we have tried to kick.  Perhaps with some we have been successful and others not so much.  And for those that we have been struggling with often we settle for acceptance. Like the fleas in
When did failure become such a bad word? by Lisa - 05-27-2013
One of life’s most rudimentary lessons, ingrained in us from birth, is that we learn from our mistakes.  Why then as adults in the business world are we conditioned to look at even the smallest failure as grounds for rebuke? Professor James
The "Special Sauce” for Learning by Lisa - 05-09-2013
Over the last few decades I have spent my career working in corporate training centres and conference/resort environments where leaders come together to engage in continued education. What I have found during this time is that the majority of
Collaborative crowdsourcing the Boston Marathon bombers, and more by John - 05-02-2013
For me, the response to the marathon bombings has been a fascinating example of the new open and empowered world we live in today.  I am fascinated by the collaboration between expert groups and the public at large in putting this story
Getting Ahead by Giving by Lisa - 04-25-2013
I am enjoying reading the book, Give and Take by Adam Grant. He is taking on the “greed is good” mentality of some CEOs and business executives, hoping to shape the leaders of tomorrow by teaching them it’s possible to give and still get
Go Green and Beat Brain Fatigue by John - 04-18-2013
Every Friday night in summer the mass exodus from the city begins as urbanites head north for some time in nature to relax and ‘recharge’.  It seems instinctual that rejuvenation both physical and mental is best achieved surrounded by green space
Roots of Aliveness, Leadership as a Living Process by Lisa - 04-11-2013
It has often been said that our span of awareness is a mile wide and an inch deep. The quality of our inner life is frequently overlooked in our efforts to cope with the daily demands and expectations of our outer life. One enabling metaphor that
Artists in the Boardroom by Lisa - 04-04-2013
A recent article in Fast Company magazine posed the question: Is an MFA the new MBA?  Author of the article Steve Tepper points to the need for creativity in the next generation of business leaders, making the point that those trained in the role of
Service Innovation Creates Customer Loyalty by Lisa - 03-26-2013
Being inspired and inspiring others is an invigorating experience. One of the many things I love about my job is having frequent opportunities to engage with creative, forward-thinking movers and shakers who challenge me to think differently. These
Leading from the Ground Up - Conversations that Evolve Potential by Lisa - 03-18-2013
What types of conversations transform problems into potential? How might conversations accelerate and amplify change? How do we bring people together in collaborative ways to address complexity, diversity and rapid change? What do I need to deepen
How do we learn to play well in the sandbox? – An invitation to a conversation by Lisa - 03-11-2013
A few colleagues and I got into a deep conversation the other night as we discussed what it might look like if we included “dialogue and interaction skills” into school curriculum beginning in Kindergarten through University.  Can you imagine how we
The TED Meeting Phenomenon - Chapter 2 by John - 03-04-2013
In the previous blog I explained the history of the TED Meeting (actually the official name is the TED Conference) and how it has become a new genre of dialogue that has both grown and been copied around the world. Richard Saul Wurman sold the
The TED Meeting Phenomenon by John - 02-25-2013
Why are lessons from TED meetings so extraordinarily relevant to running successful businesses and organizations? Have you watched a TED video?  Many millions of people have.  The TED meeting and its children, TEDx meetings, have become a popular
Connected but Alone? by Lisa - 02-19-2013
I think we would all agree that technology and virtual communication through Skype, facebook, Linkedin, texting and other electronic devices has made it easier to conduct global business. It has also made it more convenient to stay connected and
Change Begins with Inquiry by Lisa - 02-11-2013
I recently attended a heated town meeting where there was a significant difference of opinion on how to most effectively develop a large parcel of land that resides across from our Conference Centre. As I sat there listening to the various
Finding the Right Language by John - 02-04-2013
We may all speak English, but “language”, in this case, refers to how we communicate to find common understanding.  And that’s hard. It’s not just academics versus business people.  Different businesses have different languages.  Different
Resiliency in Leadership by John - 01-28-2013
Leaders and motivated individuals alike are becoming well acquainted with the new forms of technology and platforms for communication in order to be collaborative and inclusive but all too often the behavioral side of utilizing and implementing
Collaboration and The Marshmallow Challenge by John - 01-21-2013
Some years ago Tom Wujec, author, Senior Fellow at Auto Desk and an amazing graphic illustrator gave a TED talk called “The Marshmallow Challenge”(video below). In the talk he described how different groups of individuals approach a technical design
Why Do We Behave The Way We Do? by Admin - 01-10-2013
How do we build new habits and change old ones? How do we eat less, exercise more, work more efficiently, and live happier healthier lives? What are the habits of successful individuals as well as companies and organizations? What are the habits of
Collaboration Stations by Admin - 12-28-2012
In a recent HBR article, Brad Power makes the point that face-time is still crucial in our increasingly disparate marketplace. He argues that although we don't always work in the same place, at the same time, with the same people, making a habit of
Why We Need to Collaborate by Admin - 12-21-2012
Considering the number of people participating in the sharing economy, it's a wonder it's not growing any quicker. With the increased popularity in sharing and collaborating, I believe we are currently watching sharing "go viral". At first it's a
Collaboration Across Boundaries by Admin - 12-14-2012
Boundaries like hierarchies, departmental disassociation, difference in expertise and even personal opinion consistently get in the way of collaboration. It's no one's fault, but it's everyone's responsibility to account for it so we can stop it
"Success" vs. "Results" by Admin - 12-07-2012
We always seem to talk about success and results in tandem, as if they are intuitively tied, but whenever we do, it seems to be based on a limited understanding of success. If we have to "measure positive results" to call something successful, how
Practice makes Perfect, so Start Collaborating by Admin - 11-30-2012
Collaboration is "working together towards a common goal", but how do I know when and where to do that? Any situation that has a problem and a solution is a perfect opportunity to collaborate, and here's why. Collaboration works really well when
Social Media begets Collaboration by Admin - 11-23-2012
First, check out this Harvard Business Review article by John Seely Brown: Social Media Will Play a Crucial Role in the Reinvention of Business. Then, consider his arguments with a view to collaboration. His basic point is that social media not
Sharing and Collaboration by Admin - 11-14-2012
The following is a guest post written for Kingbridge Conference Centre by Ryan Jaques. As some of you may know, today is the first ever Global Sharing Day - a day dedicated to promoting and participating in the sharing economy. Sharing plays a
Creative Collaboration: What does it take? by Admin - 10-29-2012
Creative collaboration is doubly complex because the "common" goal we are working towards isn't even known yet. We're working together to come up with something entirely new, so it's impossible to "know" what the outcome will be before we start.
Collaboration 101: A New Look at the Definition of Collaboration by Admin - 10-12-2012
Cooperative vs. Non-Cooperative Play                  Illustration by: Tracy Ma Collaborate: to work jointly with others or together especially in an intellectual endeavor. We know what it’s supposed to mean, but what is collaboration?
Un-common Sense by John - 08-02-2011
Duncan Watts has just written a new book with the title “Everything is Obvious (Once You Know the Answer): How Common Sense Fails.  Watts explores how our reliance on commons sense and the idea of what is obvious in human behavior to govern our
Skepticisim vs. Cynicism by John - 07-25-2011
Often the line between skepticism and cynicism is a blurry one or not differentiated at all.  When working in a group on an issue or problem, skepticism can be constructive and helpful in creating understanding and teasing out potential issues by
Bringing Minds Together by John - 07-04-2011
I recently had the opportunity to contribute and article to the Harvard Business Review for a special issue focused on collaboration.  I was somewhat amused by the fact that when I asked if authors would have the opportunity to discuss their work
The Courage of Collaboration by John - 06-24-2011
This week, my friend Elliott Masie has written a guest blog. We share    a fascination for the amazing power and complexity of collaboration and its importance in all of our endeavors.   Unfortunately, it is surprisingly difficult to implement in
Experiential Learning – Simulated! by John - 06-10-2011
We all know that the best way to learn something is to do it.  That’s why doctors have 5 year residencies and mechanics and plumbers have appreticeships – you need practical experience to recognize symptoms, identify the problem and act
Are you using QR Codes? by John - 05-28-2011
If you’re not familiar with QR (Quick Response) codes, they’re similar to the barcodes used by retailers to track inventory and price products at the point of sale. The key difference between the two is the amount of data they can hold or share. QR
Do you use a Second Screen? by John - 04-25-2011
Second screens have become the norm these days with the vast majority of people carrying a smartphone or tablet or both!  We google speakers during conferences and tweet comments about training sessions we are attending – we have become master
Art and Successful Meeting Collaborations by John - 04-11-2011
Of equal importance to effective problem solving as the approach, are the conditions or environment. At Kingbridge Conference Centre & Institute we strive to provide an environment that is not only conducive to formal learning, but rich with
Designing Collaborations by John - 03-04-2011
There are several key components that when combined in the proper measure can result in successful collaborations.  Creating the framework for the collaboration is one such factor. Harnessing the creativity of a group requires not only the usual
Presentation Strategies to Change a Culture by John - 02-25-2011
Everyone is talking about the evils of PowerPoint and how the use of it is now considered a presenter faux pas but in seems to me that as with any tool it isn’t the technology that makes or breaks a presentation but rather its the presenters
Prezi: The Successor to PowerPoint by John - 02-22-2011
Presentations haven’t evolved much in the 50 years since the slide projector was invented.  PowerPoint certainly added some interest through animation schemes but is still a linear presentation.  How many subjects or ideas are actually
The Collaboration Paradox: Understanding the Magic of Getting Things Done – Webinar! by John - 11-29-2010
One of the mainstays of successful collaboration is engineering interactivity and purposeful communication between the members.  Advances in technology have provided the tools to make this easier and accessible but it is still up to the organizer(s)
Collaborative Leadership by John - 11-15-2010
Recently, Margaret (Meg) Wheatley wrote an insightful article called “Leadership in the Age of Complexity: from Hero to Host”. Resurgence Magazine, Winter 2011. In it she describes the wonderfully classic paradox that in order to gain control,
Barriers to Collaboration – Group Dynamics & Pseudo Collaborations by John - 11-01-2010
Sometimes barriers to collaboration are related not to a behavior, but rather to factors that influence the group dynamic.  The following are common such problems: Conflicts of interest. Transparency helps, but the collaborative leader
Kingbridge Physical/Virtual Dinner Party by John - 10-08-2010
If anyone has ever tried to overcome the barriers of distance and time to coordinate the schedules of a group of VIP’s and the like for a gathering, they can appreciate the need to be creative.  Advancements in video conferencing and virtual meeting
Barriers to Collaboration – Behaviour & Personality by John - 10-01-2010
Have you ever been in a meeting, when even before it started participants were sending out “signals” that made you think they were not going to fully collaborate?  Perhaps the way the CEO was speaking in a patronizing fashion or a manager being
What is ‘Real’ Collaboration? by John - 09-03-2010
Before we can dive into defining ‘real’ collaboration we need to clarify the type of collaboration we are referring to, which is collaboration for creative problem solving.  In these collaborations there is a diverse group of participants who are
The Collaboration Curve: Continuous Learning for Continuous Improvement by John - 08-27-2010
"Collaboration curves hold the potential to mobilize larger and more diverse groups of participants to innovate and create new value"  ~ John Hagel III, Harvard Business Review We have all heard of the experience curve and the effects it has on
The Collaboration Paradox: Some Tactics for Getting Things Right by John - 08-20-2010
A proposed book by John Abele – Part 2 What's critical to any creative collaboration, is that it begins with a goal but no blueprint to follow, because much will be discovered during the process.  Each individual is expected to share any of his
The Collaboration Paradox: Why so many leaders sabotage their own collaborations by John - 08-13-2010
A proposed book by John Abele – Part 1 Collaboration is one of those things everyone thinks they understand, but very few actually do. True, some types of collaboration are natural or easy to learn, but the highest, most valuable kind, where
Are Your Collaborative IT Solutions Working For YOU? by John - 08-06-2010
2010 has been labeled the year of collaboration, with most organizations looking to adopt collaborative knowledge sharing and networking solutions to boost productivity and innovation. As was briefly mentioned last week, the issue is that out of
Collaborative Technology & The Knowledge Worker by John - 07-30-2010
The heart of what knowledge workers do on the job is collaborate, which in general means they interact to solve problems, serve customers by following the example of Salesforce, engage with partners, and nurture new ideas in sectors ranging from
Transparency by John - 07-09-2010
Transparency is viewed by many as the solution to several of the world’s problems.   Indeed a common explanation for disputes is that they result from an imbalance of information between the two sides.   If we could have more transparency, some say,
Collective Intelligence Trumps IQ? by John - 06-18-2010
I have read several articles recently that indicate the knowledge that can be gained through collective intelligence networks has made the importance of individual intelligence an unimportant factor in the achievement of this knowledge. Aaron
To Facilitate or Not to facilitate? by John - 05-21-2010
So often the question that plagues meeting designers is whether their session be it strategic planning, product development or otherwise would benefit from an unbiased outside facilitator. And the answer of course is: it depends on the
Calling all Healthcare Collaborators by John - 04-16-2010
As a pioneer and leader in the field of less invasive medicine I have spent over four decades working across many medical disciplines trying to overcome the biases inherent in clinical medicine and disruptive change. Out of this process a number of
iPad screams "should have crowdsourced!" by John - 03-12-2010
I found this very interesting graphic on another techie blogger's site and immediately realized that despite Apple's success with their interactive and multi-functional i-Phones and i-Pods that take advantage of user generated apps the company still
Stumble Upon It! by John - 02-11-2010
Today, as it happens, I stumbled upon "StumbleUpon" which I think is most simply described as TiVo for the Internet.   StumbleUpon uses  /  ratings to form collaborative opinions on website quality. When you stumble, you will only see pages that
Crowdsourcing in Action by John - 02-06-2010
Yesterday, Febrary 5, The Kingbridge Centre as a member of IACC (International Association of Conference Centres) hosted a crowdsourcing session to determine what our clients are really looking for in a conference centre with the intention of course
Google's Nexus One - What Happened to Crowdsourcing? by John - 01-22-2010
The Google search engine organizes its webpage information based on user visits to sites resulting from keyword searches. Google crowd sources their map data using applications that allow users to submit data as well as correct it in both Google
Tweet While You Meet! by John - 01-15-2010
Want to add an element of collective intelligence to your next meeting or conference?  Incorporate inputs from the global community on Twitter! How often in a meeting or conference have you been participating in a conversation, listening to a
Blio by John - 01-08-2010
We've heard it before with the advent of the Kindle but this time it could be true - the end of the paper book could very well be upon us. November 2007, we were told that the Kindle would revolutionize reading and end production of the paper
Social Media for Social Good by John - 12-11-2009
Imagine if there were 300 million police officers on the road everyday.  How easy would it be to track down a criminal?  How quickly could we find a missing child?  Social Media has the potential to fill the gap! Monday December 7th, 2009 The New
Cultivate a Collaborative Enterprise Culture by John - 12-04-2009
Over the last month we have explored cultivating collaborative leadership by developing individual CQ (Cultural Intelligence - What's your CQ & Cultural Intelligence - Raise your CQ).  Now we will take a look at developing your organizations CQ
Learning 2009 - Innovation with Elliott Maise by John - 11-18-2009
I had the pleasure and privilege recently of participating in Elliott Masie’s innovative Learning 2009 meeting in Orlando, Florida.  This was a gathering of over 1300 corporate education professionals whose job is to make sure that every employee is
Cultural Intelligence - Raise your CQ by John - 11-13-2009
Cultural Intelligence is defined by the individuals ability to adapt cognitively, physically and motivationally to new cultures whether organizational or ethnic.  Simply, CQ represents an individuals ability to successfully adapt and flourish in a
Cultural Intelligence - What's your CQ? by John - 10-30-2009
James has worked for the same financial services company for 10 years.  The company structure has always been hierarchical and highly professional.  Six months ago the company was purchased by another financial services organization with a more
Hundreds of Heads are Better than One by John - 10-25-2009
Last week we made the important distinction between Social Networking and Collaborative Networking in an attempt to assist you in deciphering which option is better for your organization.  This week I wanted to share an example of  a community using
Social vs. Collaborative Networking - Distinctions Revealed by John - 10-16-2009
When you think of social networking you immediately think of Facebook, MySpace and Twitter, so what comes to mind when you think of collaborative networking? If you are like most people I have asked this question your response was probably
Developing Collaborative Leadership by John - 10-09-2009
Whether you’re an entrepreneur in the start-up phase or the CEO of a mature business, it’s the right time to pay attention to the culture of your enterprise. Yesterday (October 8, 2009) Mary Stacey of Context Management Consulting Inc. with the
Innovation and Collaboration for Social Change: Dean Kamen’s Slingshot by John - 09-25-2009
Collaboration is often to innovation what gasoline is to a cars internal combustion engine.  Without the gas the engine is still a great technological innovation – it just won’t go anywhere. Dean Kamen, famous for the invention of the Segway and
Places and Spaces for Collaboration by John - 09-18-2009
Increasingly, the best ideas and creative innovations are happening through collaborations of organizations and individuals.  Which means that these innovations are not occurring at any particular organization – so where are they happening?  In the
Collaborative Culture + Tools + Strategies = Value by John - 09-03-2009
Creating value through organizational collaboration is much like baking a cake – forget a key ingredient and it won’t rise. In today’s economic climate both inter and intra organizational collaborations are increasing, the potential benefits of
Are You Leading Creative Collaborations? by John - 08-10-2009
I just finished reading Organizing Genius by Warren Bennis and Patricia Ward Biederman and was impressed by the frankness with which they approached organizing creative collaboration.  So often when deconstructing successful collaborations the
Gaming for Learning by John - 07-02-2009
At Kingbridge we host conversation forums on collaboration topics with global relevance.  In 2007 we hosted Game Change a forum focused on immersive and experiential learning through emergent media.  We convened a community of interest including
Collaboration in Education? by John - 06-23-2009
It occured to me today to do some research into what the public education system is doing to better educate children to be more collaborative.  Surprisingly - then again perhaps not - I found next to nothing!  There are a plethora of initiatives and
Ideas, Ego, and Collaboration by John - 06-15-2009
I recently received a ‘weekly thought’ from my friend and organizational consultant Rich McLaughlin containing this quote: jordan air force ones “One of the main risks of seeking acceptance is that it drives intellectual diversity and independent
Wisdom of Crowds -Some things you need to know to make it work by John - 06-04-2009
The theory that a collective can solve problems better than most individuals within a group, including ‘experts’, has gained attention in recent years.  Perhaps the greatest misconception surrounding the theory of the ‘Wisdom of Crowds’ has been
Building a Collaborative Culture by John - 04-16-2009
Early in my career, I had a mentor that I didn’t know very well.  I worked in the laboratory equipment business and our companies went to the same trade shows.  We met, but I don’t think he ever remembered who I was. His name was Jack Whitehead.  He
Rating the Quality of Discussion by John - 03-24-2009
If we are asked regularly to rate the quality of speakers content and delivery, should we not also be rating the quality of discussion resulting from a speech?  air jordan shoes for sale Most meetings today involving presentations, ask
Cell Phone Education and Collaboration by John - 03-09-2009
The New York Times just had an interesting on new ways in which maps are being used on cell phones and their implications.  It is another technology driven culture change that certainly influences how people can and do collaborate Air Jordan 11.
Characteristics of a Great Collaborative Leader by John - 03-02-2009
I’ve had the privilege and pain of watching many meetings of great minds turn into ego contests, go way beyond schedule…and accomplish nothing, or less.   It’s not easy to turn a bunch of brilliant idiots into a collection of amazing contributors,
TED 2009 by John - 02-27-2009
I've just returned from the 25th Anniversary TED Conference (Ideas Worth Spreading) in Long Beach, California.  For the non-cognoscenti, TED stands for "Technology, Entertainment, Design" and involves 4 days of presentations from leaders, and I mean
Recovering Trust: Response to suggestions from the World Economic Forum on loss of trust in business by John - 02-21-2009
It seems odd to me that the mindset of businesses that have lost the trust of the public, is to think that the answer may be in developing codes of behaviour and audits to verify that behaviour (one of the many suggestions from the WEF in
The World is Changing and it is Time to Change with It by John - 02-15-2009
In his Inaugural speechlast week Barack Obama stated “That we are in the midst of crisis is now well understood. Our nation is at war, against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred. Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and
Word Count by John - 11-01-2008
On October 13th, the New York Times released this article about the work of James W. Pennebaker.  Pennebaker’s work is centered around counting the kinds of words that people use to derive spoken, but not necessarily explicit meaning.  For example,
Difficult Presentations by John - 10-31-2008
On October 8th, 2008, Kingbridge and MaRS hosted a Difficult Presentations workshop in the Auditorium of the MaRS Collaboration Centre.  The title is of course a play on the famous book title, Difficult Conversations.  Everyone is aware that they
Confrontation for Collaboration by John - 10-15-2008
In a recent Business Week article, psychologist Kerry Sulkowicz, in his “Analyze This” column, argued that confrontation may occasionally be necessary to produce collaboration. It’s an important and counter intuitive observation. Many people tend to
by John - 10-13-2008
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The Inaugural Kingbridge Blog by John - 10-01-2008
Welcome to our new website.  It is interesting to consider Kevin Kelly's (founding editor of WIRED) observation that the internet is only about 5000 days old and yet today, literally every organization that deals with people must have a website.