Blogs
Listed as one of the Top-30 Workplace Blogs in the world!
Leading and Laughing During Challenging, Turbulent Times
Leaders need to step up and lead during challenging times. Okay, that sounds like a bit of a "duh" statement, but it's true! What I mean is that leaders need to be even more intentional about wearing their leadership toques and not just thinking like a manager or...
Putting Humor to Work for Less Stress During These Turbulent Times
If you're having more bad hair days than normal, trust me, you're not alone. You need to tap into your sense of humor, and your team's sense of humor, now more than ever! Find out how my three simple R's of putting humor to work can help you find the funny...
Customer Service: Would You Like a Side of Empathy With That?
Do your employees understand the importance of expressing empathy to your customers when required?
My wife and I just returned from a speaking trip in another country. The trip turned into an epic adventure involving delayed flights, missed connections, missing baggage, and yes, more delayed flights. Some of it was weather related, some issues were mechanical, sometimes we were waiting for the “paperwork”. At one point we had a pilot but no plane, then later on we had a plane without a pilot.
Employees’ Families are Part of Your Support Team
We recently celebrated Family Day in my home province of Alberta. The holiday is intended as a day for people to spend time with their family, which reminded me of the role families play in businesses. Inspiring workplaces recognize that families matter and that the families of employees are part of their support team.
Consider the impact work has on your life. Chances are, it is the biggest use of your waking hours – in fact, many people spend more time with their colleagues than they do with their family. Work affects your mental and physical health, your attitude and energy level you carry home with you, and your personal development and growth. Work can’t help but have an enormous impact on your marriage and on your children’s lives.
Miles of Smiles Creates an Inspiring Workplace
Barry Williams likes to mix a lot of humor into his workplaces. As the former manager of Barney’s Motel in Brandon, Manitoba, he created a fly bounty to get people laughing over flies in the motel rooms, added hilarious slogans to his highway sign, and incorporated humor into his help wanted ads.
Videos
Why Clients Book Michael
Some clients bring me into their events simply because they want to celebrate a great year, cap off a busy season, or recognize their amazing employees. Other clients work with me because they’ve lost their mojo, they’re wrestling with unprecedented change, or they need help forging a stronger and more inspiring culture.
Why Choose Between Content and Humor?
For more than 25 years I’ve embraced the mantra: “Why choose between content and humor when you can have both?” In this short video, I share what I think my job as a professional speaker is and how I will work with you to exceed your expectations.
Michael in Action
Why choose between content and fun when you can have both? For a sense of my presentation style, grab some popcorn and enjoy this sampler video of Michael in Action. Whether I’m delivering a full-day workshop to senior executives, or a keynote to an audience of 3,000+, I deliver relevant content in as memorable a way as possible so those inspiring ideas stick!
BOOKS
The Humor Advantage
Why Some Businesses Are Laughing All the Way to the Bank
The Humor Advantage is packed with ideas on how you can create a more innovative, collaborative, service-driven culture that drives outrageous results! It delivers a firehose of information that will turn your culture upside down (in a good way!).
The Jerk-Free Workplace
How You Can Take the Lead to Create a Happier, More Inspiring Workplace
This isn’t just about giving jerky work behaviors the boot. The Jerk-Free Workplace offers up an inspiring roadmap on how to take the lead when you’re not the boss – although you’ll definitely want your boss to read it, too. If you want to work in a happier, more inspiring workplace, this is the book for you!
Small Moments, Big Outcomes
How Leaders Create Cultures That Fuel Extraordinary Results
It’s about the small things you can do as a culture leader to intentionally build a more collaborative, compassionate, and inspiring workplace culture. Packed with practical ideas based on real world examples, Small Moments, Big Outcomes will help you lead with greater confidence and purpose.
