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Bill Blake

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Sr Consultant at Norquest Associates Inc , Norquest Associates, Inc.

10 points

In his past life he has been a Director of Education for the City of Timmins, a
Superintendent of Curriculum Services with the Ministry of Education, a Superintendent of Program with the Lambton County Board of Education, and a Geography ...

In his past life he has been a Director of Education for the City of Timmins, a
Superintendent of Curriculum Services with the Ministry of Education, a Superintendent of Program with the Lambton County Board of Education, and a Geography Teacher with the Peel Board of Education. At present, he is, in his spare time, a senior consultant with Norquest Associates Inc., a consulting firm that specialises in educational consulting and self development training and coaching.

Bill has over 40 years of experience in organizational leadership, in both the public and private sectors. From this experience he believes that the effectiveness of the organization is maximized by developing the personal potential of each individual to the highest level possible - to achieve PEAK performance.

For his efforts he has received the Order of Ontario and the designation "O.Ont." He has also been included on the Mayor's Honours List for the City of Sarnia.

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WEB: Everything DiSC

May 24, 2012

Bill Blake and 3 other people answered this question

What is the greatest challenge to leadership?

Essentially, I agree with John Anderson, with the possible exception that while I believe that the rate of change we have seen in the past few years will probably accelerate, the core concepts of leadership (Vision, Alignment, Execution) will undoubtedly remain the same. more

Human Resources

May 24, 2012

Bill Blake and 13 other people answered this question

What is the difference between influential leadership and manipulation?

My dictionary defines ‘”Influence” as “1.The effect a person or thing has on another. 2. The ability to obtain favorable treatment by means of acquaintance, wealth, status etc.” It also defines “manipulate” as “to manage a person, situation etc. to one’s own advantage, especially unfairly ... more

Human Resources

May 24, 2012

Bill Blake and 6 other people answered this question

How can the process of recruitment be simplified and still effective?

One way might be to:
• Establish an efficient process that will reduce the time required to interview and select a qualified candidate.
• Maximize new hires’ performance once they join the team by ensuring that candidates are a good fit for the job (both ... more

Human Resources

Talent Managament

May 17, 2012

Bill Blake and 6 other people answered this question

What is the best way to give employee feedback verbal or written?

Basically I agree with Andrea on this one!
If the event is such that immediate feedback is a prerequisite, then it should be done on the spot, and verbally.
If it is related to a performance review, it should be in writing, and discussed with ... more

Human Resources

Employee Feedback

May 10, 2012

Bill Blake and 4 other people answered this question

What are some simple ways to foster the quality of leadership?

To my mind the ways to foster the quality of the leadership is much the same as the values or qualities that build trust:
• Acceptance: Who you are is okay with me
• Openness: I will give and receive feedback gladly
• Congruence: I ... more

Human Resources

May 10, 2012

Bill Blake and 10 other people answered this question

In your opinion, what are the top qualities of a leader?

I am impressed by the amount of research that went into Kouzes & Posner’s latest book – The Truth about leadership. In it they identify ten truths about leadership, and back it up with the research. It is an interesting and easy read!
My favorites ... more

Human Resources

Leadership Qualities

May 3, 2012

Alex Dail selected a best answer for

What is the difference between working with a small team/group vs. large team/group?

Do you find that there are different challanges when working with a group of 20 vs. a smaller group of 4-6. If so, what ought a person heading each group be prepared to address? more

Human Resources

May 3, 2012

Bill Blake and 4 other people answered this question

How do you adhere to individual learning differences when training employees ?

I believe that the intent of the question was how do you adhere to learning differences, not whether!
Well, my position is that if you do not adhere to learning differences in any training program, you are bound to lose. Early in my training career ... more

Human Resources

Talent Management

May 3, 2012

Bill Blake and 8 other people answered this question

Are leaders born or created?

Hopefully all leaders were born! Then how they developed is the product of many factors including their personality, the development of their talents, and the extent of their personal desire or drive. I have seen persons I thought were natural leaders who had zero desire ... more

Human Resources

Talent Management

April 18, 2012

Bill Blake and 5 other people answered this question

What does it take to be a leader in the digital era?

I would agree with those above who have said “Nothing much”. The key values of Openness, Acceptance, Congruence, and reliability haven’t changed.
In the new “Work of Leaders” assessment, it focuses on “Vision, Alignment, and Execution”. To see a short video on this - click ... more

General Management

Human Resources

April 5, 2012

Bill Blake and 12 other people answered this question

On an employee performance review rating scale of 1-5 (1 - poor, 5 - excellent) should the company remove "5" if no one ever receives that rating?

I would say “no” to removing the “5” because then, in all probability, no one would ever get “4”! The answer is to review the whole procedure (probably with consultant help) and make certain the rating system is clearly understood by everyone, including how and ... more

Human Resources

Employee Engagement

Employee Performance

Performance Review

April 5, 2012

Bill Blake and 6 other people answered this question

Do you think that organizations that cultivate great leaders gain an edge over competitors?

Certainly! If you cultivate your good leaders they become great and you company will certainly gain an edge over the others. It is probably to simplistic to mention Apple and Steve Jobs. But there are, and will be many others. If you cultivate your leaders ... more

Human Resources

Leadership Development

March 29, 2012

Bill Blake and 1 other person answered this question

What tools are available for HR teams in regards to talent profiling?

Hiring wining talent involves developing a winning hiring strategy, and a commitment to following it. This strategy should include:
1. Define what you are looking for – position description, job competencies, behavioural preferences
2. Develop an interview plan – the interview team, questioning strategy, resume ... more

Human Resources

Talent Assessments

Talent Management Tools

March 29, 2012

Bill Blake and 13 other people answered this question

What is the number one trait that makes a great manager?

A great manager is one who develops Trust in his/her team: who practices and is known for:
• Acceptance involving respect and recognition
• Openness: willing to give and receive feedback
• Congruence: Straightforward and honest – what I say is what I mean!
• ... more

Human Resources

March 29, 2012

Bill Blake and 11 other people answered this question

How do you motivate a team that is non-performing?

Look in the mirror! What are you doing or not doing that you should be doing.
Inculcate Trust, recognition, and motivation! more

Focus Interactive Summit

March 22, 2012

Bill Blake and 8 other people answered this question

How should a leader react to failure ?

There is no road to success that is perfectly paved. You will fail, but like a youngster learning to walk – make sure you fall forward. I like Edison’s response, “ I have not failed, I have just found 10,000 ways that won’t work!” more

Human Resources

March 15, 2012

Bill Blake and 7 other people answered this question

How important are differing opinions to a leader?

I have led several executive teams in different organizations, but I cannot honestly say that all team members shared my world views on everything. Some had similar views, but most were quite different. But that is what makes the team stronger. What is required is ... more

Human Resources

March 8, 2012

Bill Blake and 9 other people answered this question

How do you retain top talent?

One of the main keys to unlocking the mystery of retention in an organization is the development of successful managers. There are several management skills that will help, but the following three are critical:
1. Interaction with team members on a day to day basis ... more

Human Resources

Talent Management

March 8, 2012

Bill Blake and 10 other people answered this question

How and when should a leader encourage positive conflict?

I am not convinced that there is such a thing as “positive conflict”. To me it is something like “negative progress”
A leader should encourage open discussion among members of his team. Alternative ideas are bound to come forth. Then each idea or thought should ... more

Feb. 29, 2012

Bill Blake and 2 other people answered this question

What does 'Authenticity' in the workplace mean to you?

To me, Authenticity has two components:
1. Congruence – I say what I mean and mean what I say
2. Reliability – I do what I say I will do. more

Human Resources

Employee Engagement

Feb. 29, 2012

Bill Blake and 5 other people answered this question at this roundtable

#TChat Radio: Employee Super Powers: Is There an Assessment For That? [2/22 @ 4 pm]

Can we spend too much time assessing rather than just getting on with the job?

Are we talking about employee assessment, or an assessment of how well we are progressing on the job, i.e. progress toward our goal.
We can always spend too much time in assessing anything! But without periodic assessment of our progress, how will we ever hope ... more

General Management

Human Resources

Company Culture

Employee Engagement

Feb. 29, 2012

Bill Blake and 5 other people answered this question

What are the characteristics of a great CEO?

The characteristics of a great CEO are, mainly, the values that build trust:
• Acceptance: Who you are is okay with me
• Openness: Gives and asks for feedback freely
• Congruence: I say what I mean and mean what I say
• Reliability: I ... more

General Management

Human Resources

Company Culture

Feb. 16, 2012

Bill Blake and 12 other people answered this question

How do you groom young employees to take up highly responsible leadership roles, especially when they have limited experience?

If you wish to groom employees to take up highly responsible leadership roles, then you must have a well defined program for training coaching and performance assessment. Young leaders should be encouraged to take leadership development programs, and be coached by a mentor who has ... more

Human Resources

Career Development

Feb. 16, 2012

Bill Blake and 17 other people answered this question

Is there any value to churning your existing talent base just to get some new energy in the company?

Wow! “Churning” is not a term I have ever heard applied to business practices!
But simply getting rid of the bottom 10 -15% every few years with the thought that will improve production is simply something I cannot subscribe to! What happened to training, coaching, ... more

Human Resources

Corporate Culture

Employee Engagement

Feb. 16, 2012

Bill Blake and 4 other people answered this question at this roundtable

How Not to Coach Your Salespeople [2/16 @ 1 pm]

What are the differences in coaching and training, management, and performance evaluations?

As others have pointed out – Training, Coaching, and Evaluating are separate process – but are interrelated.
Training is concerned with the inculcation of new knowledge and/or skills.
Coaching is providing assistance in improving learned skills – either in an individual or a team.
Performance ... more

Performance Evaluation

Jan. 18, 2012

Bill Blake and 18 other people answered this question

What steps do you take to build trust in a team?

There are now some excellent books on this subject. Those of Keith Ayers and Stephen Covey are my favorites.
Beyond this, practice the elements of trust: reliability, openness, and congruence.
Understand your behaviorial strengths and weaknesses, and the behavioral strengths and weaknesses of your team ... more

Jan. 18, 2012

Bill Blake and 3 other people answered this question at this roundtable

Sales Training Blunders of 2011 [12/19 @ 11 am]

Are there steps a trainer can take to be prepared for the unexpected?

Probably the best advice is to “expect the unexpected” !
Projector bulbs burn out; computers crash; there is usually a jokester in the crowd; Power outages etc.
Preparation is the key. Always have a backup plan, and a copy of your PowerPoint on a jump-drive ... more

Sales Management

Jan. 6, 2012

Bill Blake and 17 other people answered this question

How can you work with your employees to embrace change?

For employees to embrace change with enthusiasm, trust must be part of the culture. If employees trust their leaders, they will be more likely to accept the change in a positive manner.
Secondly they must be involved in the process of change, and be able ... more

General Management

Human Resources

Change Management

Company Culture

Jan. 6, 2012

Bill Blake and 10 other people answered this question

What is a best practice in leadership development that you know of?

The first step in Leadership is developing Trust – which is a three-step process:
1. Understanding the Elements of Trust
2. Identify you own strengths and limitations
3. Using adaptability to build trust.
If you are interested in further information please see the video “It ... more

Human Resources

Career Development

Leadership Development

Following 15 Topics

Career Development

Change Management

Corporate Culture

General Management

Hiring and Selection

Human Resources

Leadership Communication

...

Leadership Development

Leadership Qualities

Performance Evaluation

Talent Management

Following 2 People

Followed by 3 People

Knowledgeable in 7 Topics

#11 of 26

Corporate Culture

#53 of 74

#91 of 123

Employee Engagement

#86 of 175

#208 of 356

Talent Management

#376 of 470

Human Resources

#1205 of 1481