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  • Focus to Focus on Focus

    Focus to Focus on Focus
    2025/05/14
    In this powerful episode, Tim Sweet unpacks the critical role of focus in leadership, especially when navigating the noise of political and economic uncertainty. With heartfelt clarity, Tim explores how today’s leaders can rise above the chaos by gaining altitude and stepping back to assess what truly matters. He invites us to let go of the busywork, choose the essential few priorities, and give ourselves permission to slow down and realign.Drawing from his own experiences, including a delay in releasing this very episode due to a client crisis, Tim reinforces the idea that integrity in leadership starts with reclaiming control of our time and energy. Through practical tools and emotional insight, Tim challenges us to start each day with intention, not the inbox.He introduces a simple but powerful three-step practice: notice when energy is off-track, name a meaningful action, and schedule it. By understanding the emotional drivers of distraction, such as insecurity and the urge to prove ourselves, leaders can instead ground themselves in purpose. Whether it's protecting your most creative hour or "bilge-sweeping" your week to clear the clutter, this episode offers a refreshing reminder: true leadership starts from within. Resources discussed in this episode:Ep. 30 with Jagroop ChhinaEp. 51 with Jared VanderMeer--Contact Tim Sweet | Team Work Excellence: WebsiteLinkedIn: Tim SweetInstagramLinkedIn: Team Work Excellence--Transcript:Tim 00:01Everything we talk about in the show pertains to leadership in some way, shape or form, or at least your leadership impact and your leadership career. But real daily leadership in a time where we've got political upheaval, where we've got economic upheaval, it feels harder and harder to maintain. So this week, one of my editors said to me, Tim, could you talk about how we can focus when everything feels uncertain? That landed. Because right now, a lot of leaders are tired. They're asking a lot of big questions, they're reacting to a lot of volatility, and they've got teams that are distracted. They've got teams that are actually, in some cases, at each other's throats. They may have lost trust. They may be dealing with personal crisis. While we have to talk about that as well. We have to be able to do our jobs at the end of the day, Tim 00:58I'd like to ask you some questions. Do you consider yourself the kind of person that gets things done? Are you able to take a vision and transform that into action? Are you able to align others towards that vision and get them moving to create something truly remarkable? If any of these describe you, then you, my friend, are a leader, and this show is all about and all for you. I'm Tim Sweet. This is episode 55 of the Sweet on Leadership podcast. Tim 01:30I want to be transparent with you. This episode, it was supposed to be out a few days ago, or at least I was supposed to get the recording to my editor, but a client crisis came up. It was urgent, it was important, it was distracting. I got pulled in. The irony isn't lost on me that when I'm about to record something about focus, I myself lost focus. Tim 01:54So today's for the leader who wants traction, not just more output, but clarity, integrity, so that they can believe in themselves, so they make good on the promises they make to themselves. We want to develop a rhythm that we can predict and that we can trust. Let's start up high 10,000 feet, because the first problem with focus is where we're looking. It's easy sometimes to get stuck in the weeds when we haven't really considered how we do the work. We need to take some time and work on the work. We need to focus on how we focus. If we get locked in on a task level, what's due, what's late, what's noisy, what's the emergency of the day? Things can seem very unmovable. So our first concept is, think about altitude. Be able to go way up, 300,000 feet, look down every once in a while and say, am I working on the right thing? Is this the piece of work that's going to move that needle forward. Tim 3:06So here's the first question, what does this season of your career actually demand you become? Not what's trendy, not what's the burning platform in the moment politically, not what used to work, not what others are simply applauding. Just this season. Just right now. Who do you need to be? In my work with executives, with clients and universities and businesses and medicine, we want to be able to name those one to three things at any point that are going to move the needle and then ruthlessly let go of the rest. Because here's the truth, if everything is important, you know that nothing is. You have to choose, not just what to do and the quality you bring with that, but what to release, what to stop doing? Tim 04:05Focus isn't just about intensity of attention. It's about permission, giving ourselves the right to stop and invest in what matters. We ask our people to keep their head on the swivel, to think about what ...
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    26 分
  • From Chaos To Clarity - Transformational Practice

    From Chaos To Clarity - Transformational Practice
    2025/04/23
    In this episode of Sweet on Leadership, Tim Sweet guides us through his four-part framework of leadership transformation amidst today’s instability. In The Drift, Tim helps leaders recognize the subtle signs of misalignment—control, confusion, and collapse—as natural but unsustainable coping mechanisms. He unpacks how these reactions stem not from personal failure but from the emotional weight of leading in a constantly shifting world. The key, he says, is not pushing harder, but stepping back to reconnect with the foundation of leadership itself.From there, we move into The Reset, a call to return to purpose and audit the energy we give to people and projects. Tim encourages listeners to make just one aligned decision and let small, intentional actions build toward bigger change. In The Reach, he explores how leaders can guide their teams with clarity and truth—not by solving every problem, but by anchoring to what matters most and adapting as needed. Finally, in The Practice, Tim reframes transformation as a modular, ongoing discipline. It’s not about heroic reinvention, but honest, daily choices that reshape how we lead from the inside out.The episode closes with a powerful reminder: this isn’t about fixing others or waiting for normal to return—it’s about returning to our bedrock, reshaping ourselves, and choosing to lead what’s next with resilience and purpose. If you’re feeling the pull to lead differently, this conversation offers the clarity and calm you didn’t know you needed. --Contact Tim Sweet | Team Work Excellence:WebsiteLinkedIn: Tim SweetInstagramLinkedin: Team Work Excellence--TranscriptTim 00:01When outside forces are bucketing us around, politically, socially, economically, and our people are bringing in more fear into the workplace, and our clients are more hesitant than ever, and the whole world seems like it is on tilt. We're still supposed to be leaders, and that can feel sometimes like a fantasy. By the end of this episode, you're going to have a clear sense of what might be holding you back. And I'll give you some practical ways that we can go forward, not through more effort, because we know today, capacity is an issue, energy is an issue. Not through more effort, but through better alignment, alignment with your purpose and alignment with who you are. You're going to walk away with some new language, some new structure and hopefully a new mindset, so that you can go through these resets and lead with clarity again. So if you're a leader and you felt more tired, more scattered and more unsure lately, this episode is the one you need. Tim 1:06I'd like to ask you some questions. Do you consider yourself the kind of person that gets things done? Are you able to take a vision and transform that into action? Are you able to align others towards that vision and get them moving to create something truly remarkable. If any of these describe you, then you, my friend, are a leader, and this show is all about and all for you. I'm Tim Sweet. I'd like to welcome you to the 54th episode of the sweet on leadership podcast. Tim 1:38Welcome. Perhaps you feel like you're the only one that is struggling today, I want you to know you're not alone. A lot of the smartest, most capable leaders that I work with, the ones that are at the very top of organizations, are saying the same thing. I don't know if what I'm doing is the right thing, and I have days where I'm not sure I'm enough. It's not just the pressure that is coming down to deliver our strategies and our mandates. There is a new fear, a new anxiety and a new emotional weight that's on everyone you your team, your customers, the people you serve. It's the fact that the ground keeps shifting today, not just that things are tumultuous, but everything is changing week on week. Yet you're supposed to stay steady yet you have long range commitments that you need to make.Speaker 1 2:31A lot more time spent on investments or politics. Those are the things where people are having conversations. Speaker 2 2:38We've all got budget pressures. The political noise. Staff complaining. Faculty complaining. Students are complaining. It's all piling up, and people seem hesitant and guarded, and we used to be more collegial. Now it just feels, just feels like everybody's getting by, just trying not to drop the ball.Speaker 3 3:00I don't think I've seen work like this. I haven't seen teams, still smiling, but just tightly wound. Speaker 4 3:09I've been spending more time managing how people feel than actually moving work forward. We need to hit deadlines, and it's like everybody's tired. Speaker 5 3:18And I can't slow down. I've kept myself checking in on things more often, just making sure things are moving along. And I'm mentally frazzled. It's just so much more frustrating, and this is what I'm hearing from my team.Tim 03:38Okay, let's talk about leadership exhaustion. Some days, leadership doesn't feel like it's as ...
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    27 分
  • Visualizing Your Future Situation with Dave Appleton (the coolest 40yo octogenarian you'll ever meet)

    Visualizing Your Future Situation with Dave Appleton (the coolest 40yo octogenarian you'll ever meet)
    2025/04/02
    In this episode, Tim sits down with longtime friend and financial advisor Dave Appleton, who brings over 40 years of experience in financial planning. Dave shares insights on the importance of long-term financial strategies, emphasizing visualization as a powerful tool for understanding complex financial concepts. He explains key principles like the rule of 72 for investment growth and the value of diversification to secure financial stability across generations. Through real-life client stories, Dave highlights how proper planning can lead to financial success and security, while short-term thinking—like what fueled the tech bubble—can be detrimental.Beyond finances, Dave and Tim explore the importance of staying active and engaged in retirement to maintain both mental and physical well-being. They discuss how early retirement without purpose can increase the risk of cognitive decline and why continuous learning, including leveraging screen time for education, can keep the mind sharp. Dave also shares how simple visualization techniques—like using sugar cubes to demonstrate financial impact—can make complex topics more accessible. Tune in for a conversation that blends financial wisdom with practical life lessons, helping you make smarter choices for a more secure and fulfilling future.About Dave AppletonDave has been assisting individuals with the planning of their Lifestyle Retirement goals. His objective is to provide individuals and business owners with the advice they need to achieve their immediate and long-term goals by offering a wide range of financial products and services through Planning Strategies Group Ltd. In 2004, Dave was awarded by the Financial Planning Standards Council of Canada (along with two other business associates), the prestigious award of "Advisor of the Year".In addition to help develop and manage a Financial Planning department for a major world-wide Life Insurance corporation, he was also one of the first individuals to set up a full service Financial Planning company in association with accountants and lawyers, this providing a one-stop service for individuals and business owners needing Financial, Estate and Tax Planning advice.—Contact Tim Sweet | Team Work Excellence: WebsiteLinkedIn: Tim SweetInstagramLinkedin: Team Work ExcellenceContact Dave Appleton: Linkedin: Dave Appleton--TranscriptDave 00:01A picture is worth 1000 words. You get good screen time. You've got 10,000 words, and the memory of a picture is a lot greater than the memory reading from a book. I'm not saying you don't remember. It's just that the picture is there and you can visualize, and if you can visualize something down the road in 10 years, five years. But the thing is, it imprints is there, but the book isn't the same as a picture as that picture. This is why this has become a lot more usable. Tim 00:33I'd like to ask you some questions. Do you consider yourself the kind of person that gets things done? Are you able to take a vision and transform that into action. Are you able to align others towards that vision and get them moving to create something truly remarkable? If any of these describe you, then you, my friend, are a leader, and this show is all about and all for you. I'm Tim Sweet. Welcome to the 53rd episode of the Sweet on Leadership podcast. Tim 1:06Welcome back, everybody. Thanks for joining us again. Here on the Sweet on Leadership podcast, I have a dear friend joining me today. I'd like to introduce you all to Dave Appleton. Dave Appleton has been a friend of our family, helping us with financial decisions. We've known each other for years. We came from the same community, but Dave means so much to the health and the wealth and the happiness of my family that it's a real pleasure that I get to introduce all of you today to this fine man. So Dave, thanks for joining us. I hope that this is a fun experience, and I'm looking forward to all the reactions we're going to get from this, because I know that the lessons and the messages that you have and what you've taught me in the past is going to resonate with a lot of people out there that are trying to improve their influence and their impact with others and their life in general. So again, I'm really excited for this one. Dave 02:01Happy for you. It's been a pleasure. Tim 02:06Okay, Dave, why don't you tell us a little bit about you and the company you run and give us a picture for what your purpose in life is. That would be great. Dave 02:14First of all, I have been in this business for over 40 years. Tim 02:19Yeah, wealth management and financial advisory. Dave 02:23Yeah, and insurance and I started with, years ago, I started with Manulife. And it's funny because I went with Manulife because they were focused on money products, like financial planning, and that really attracted me. Prior to that, I was in real estate for I had my own business in real estate for about 15 years. And I think when ...
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    31 分
  • Special Edition - Facing Unfair Firings and What To Do Now

    Special Edition - Facing Unfair Firings and What To Do Now
    2025/03/12
    In this special episode of Sweet on Leadership, Tim tackles the current wave of layoffs in the US and crossing the border into Canada, emphasizing that this is not business as usual. He speaks directly to those who have lost their jobs or fear they might be next. The recklessness of recent mass layoffs, particularly in public sector roles, is top of mind. Tim tells us that these cuts are not about efficiency but rather a dismantling of essential institutions. He also critiques the private sector’s rollback of DEI and people-first initiatives, companies that once championed employee well-being but are now abandoning those commitments. Real leadership requires clear thinking, alignment, and intentional action—not reactionary decisions that leave employees scrambling.To navigate these uncertain times, Tim provides a simple four-step action plan: reframe the situation by writing down your fears and aspirations, identify transferable skills (beyond just polishing a résume), activate your network with a professional and strategic approach, and sharpen your confidence and sense of worth daily. Job seekers need to treat their search as a full-time role, maintaining productivity and resilience even while processing emotions. Tim’s message is clear—while layoffs are often beyond control, how you respond can shape your future. Leaders, whether guiding a team or their own career, need to take charge, adapt, and move forward with purpose. —Contact Tim Sweet | Team Work Excellence: WebsiteLinkedIn: Tim SweetInstagramLinkedin: Team Work ExcellenceDOWNLOAD THE COMPANION JOB HUNT WORKBOOK HERE--TranscriptTim 0:00We're not living in normal times. If anything this past week has taught me, it's that it is not business as usual. This is a special edition of Sweet on Leadership, one that's inspired by the thousands of professionals who I am seeing abruptly cut loose without a plan and forced to navigate uncertainty in their career overnight. I feel positioned to be able to help, and so I want to take this episode to do that. Maybe that's you. Maybe it's somebody you know. Maybe it's someone you lead. If it is, please listen carefully, because today we're going to talk about what's happening, and more importantly, what to do about it. I'd like to ask you some questions. Do you consider yourself the kind of person that gets things done? Are you able to take a vision and transform that into action? Are you able to align others towards that vision and get them moving to create something truly remarkable? If any of these describe you, then you, my friend, are a leader, and this show is all about and all for you. Listen and you'll walk away with clarity, control, and a strategy to move forward. If you don't listen, you might just find yourself reacting to the storm instead of learning how to weather it and come out stronger. Even if you have a job today, even if you are not one of the ones that were cut, do yourself the favor of having a plan. I'm Tim Sweet. Welcome to a special episode of the Sweet on Leadership podcast. This is episode 52.Tim 1:30If you're from the US, you may be feeling this firsthand. The recent moves made unilaterally by the executive office by the President, moves that may yet be proven to be illegal, have upended lives overnight. And here in Canada, we're not immune. We might feel the heat very soon as economic pressures mount and as unintelligent decisions seem to migrate north, carried on the winds of bad leadership and worse policy. And no matter where you are, one thing is clear—when chaos happens, we have two choices. We can react and panic and fail and fall down and get tired, or we can adapt and we can lead, not necessarily for others, but at least for ourselves. So today we're going to talk about how to do the latter. This abrupt demobilization of public sector departments is extreme, so let's talk about some of the numbers. In just the past month, 220,000 odd federal employees, many with less than a year on the job, are gone. Poof, overnight. For instance, the Department of Veteran Affairs, 1000 layoffs. You want to tell me that that is all fat that needed to be trimmed? The US Forest Service, 3000 workers cut right before peak wildfire season, right after the worst fire season on record. And let's not forget about the air traffic controllers and what we've seen happening there, despite being dangerously understaffed and woefully overworked even before the current president's inauguration, they were handed even more responsibilities and a bunch of distraction as people were cut, others were offered job payouts, all of them are feeling the pressure. That's not efficiency, that's just reckless. That's cutting the engines mid flight and acting surprised when the plane starts to go down. This isn't restructuring; it's dismantling. It's something we haven't seen before on this scale. A business can cut jobs and streamline. Why? Because essentially, they are an autocracy. A country, a ...
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    21 分
  • Jared VanderMeer - An Eye For Making An Impression On Social

    Jared VanderMeer - An Eye For Making An Impression On Social
    2025/02/19
    In this episode of the Sweet on Leadership podcast, Tim chats with marketing expert and content creator Jared VanderMeer as he shares his proven approach to long-term brand success. He emphasizes the power of a well-structured touch point cycle, where consistent and authentic content builds trust and drives engagement. Instead of chasing quick ROI, Jared urges businesses to focus on lifetime customer value and to track meaningful metrics like watch time and impressions over vanity likes. With a 90-day commitment to content creation and a strategic marketing budget, businesses can create lasting connections that lead to sustainable growth.Tim and Jared dive into the myths of social media success, the importance of storytelling, and the balance between quality and quantity. They explore why brands should showcase real-life applications of their products instead of aiming for perfection, and why avoiding shortcuts is key to long-term impact. If you’re ready to shift your mindset from instant wins to building a brand that truly resonates, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you make it happen. About Jared VanderMeerJared VanderMeer is a digital marketing specialist, public speaker, and entrepreneur. He’s also the creative muse and pioneering spirit behind Magnolias Consulting Group in Canada. From podcasting and videos to blogs and books, Jared is dedicated to driving home the importance of value-based marketing in our modern digital era.If there’s one thing that defines JV above all else, it’s being a Canadian content maker. In the past few years, he has poured all his effort into expanding JV content into all the formats technology has made possible. As an agency owner, JV helps clients grow their businesses on a daily basis, but as a content creator, he takes that goal a step further by sharing his knowledge and experience with brands on a larger scale. JV's debut book If You Sell, You Lose is a step-by-step guide on how to add value to your brand through your digital marketing. It’s just one piece of the larger vision Jared holds for marketers, brand and business owners, and startups. You can also grab free guides, templates, content maps, and more at www.jaredvandermeer.com.Resources discussed in this episode:TransRockies Moab Run the RocksNear Me VictoriaIf You Sell, You Lose by Jared VanderMeer--Contact Tim Sweet | Team Work Excellence: WebsiteLinkedIn: Tim SweetInstagramLinkedin: Team Work ExcellenceContact Jared VanderMeer: Website: jaredvandermeer.comInstagram: @wild.vandermeerInstagram: @jared_vandermeerTikTok: jared.vandermeer--TranscriptJared 0:01 What I try to do is get leaders and individuals to understand that you have to think about it just slightly differently. Create a touch point cycle. Create a brand, validate that brand, create a whole bunch of touch points in a circle, and when the timing's right, you're going to capture that customer. You're going to capture that lifetime value. Very, very few, I would say under 2% of leaders are thinking long term, lifetime value rather than ROI, and that's what we want to try to change the conversation to.Tim 0:33 I'd like to ask you some questions. Do you consider yourself the kind of person that gets things done? Are you able to take a vision and transform that into action? Are you able to align others towards that vision and get them moving to create something truly remarkable? If any of these describe you, then you, my friend, are a leader, and this show is all about and all for you. I'm Tim Sweet. Welcome to the 51st episode of the Sweet on Leadership podcast. Tim 1:06Hey everybody, welcome back to the Sweet on Leadership podcast. Once again, we're joined by a very eclectic and interesting leader, somebody with a perspective that I am sure none of you will have. This is my good friend. And actually, I guess, family by marriage. Jared VanderMeer, Jared, thanks for coming on the show today. I really appreciate it. Jared 1:26Thanks for having me, Tim, thanks.Tim 1:28You and I have a history of long talks about business. We annoy our families when we get together for Christmas or Thanksgiving or whatever, because we volunteer for doing the dishes. And then we sit there and we workshop stuff, and we dig deep. And boy, for anybody who isn't a leadership geek or a business geek like you and me, they're all waiting for us to, you know, hurry back and play cards or something. And a lot of people just don't get it, I think right or feel left out, maybe. Jared 1:57 You get addicted to business and you get addicted to these types of things, and we just love talking about it. So when we get that moment to sit down over dishes and talk about it, we just get excited, and we just can't stop so getting back to the other stuff is secondary to getting through our business chat. Tim 2:14 And we've always had a really great split. We can be family, and I think that's really important, and then we can ...
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    52 分
  • Revolutionizing Dental Care with AI: Leadership, Innovation, and Giving Back with Amreesh Khanna

    Revolutionizing Dental Care with AI: Leadership, Innovation, and Giving Back with Amreesh Khanna
    2025/02/05
    In this episode, Tim welcomes Amreesh Khanna, a visionary entrepreneur and the founder of OraQ, a company revolutionizing the dental industry through clinical AI solutions. Amreesh shares how OraQ is standardizing patient exams, empowering patients with transparency, and strengthening the patient-clinician relationship through informed decisions and trust. He explains how dentists play a crucial role in identifying and preventing systemic health issues such as cardiac and respiratory problems. Amreesh also highlights the potential of AI in healthcare, including its ability to predict patient outcomes and personalize treatment plans.Beyond his professional endeavors, Amreesh discusses his passion for community service and his work with the nonprofit organization Cause to Smile, which aims to empower the dental community and support local initiatives. He reflects on the importance of balancing professional ambitions with giving back and shares insights on leadership, decision-making, and reframing failure as a learning opportunity. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about innovation in healthcare, leadership lessons, and the power of community impact.About Amreesh Khanna Dr. Amreesh Khanna refers to himself as a professional tooth enthusiast, more commonly known as a Dentist. He has a deep passion for the integration of AI/ML in clinical applications and is at the forefront of advancing precision dental care through his start-up, OraQ AI. This company is dedicated to redefining ethical dental practice growth by prioritizing optimal patient care.With over 17 years of clinical dental experience, Dr. Khanna has encountered numerous challenges and successes on his entrepreneurial journey as a dental practice owner. In terms of patient care, he has been involved in complex treatments, including dental implants, bone and gum grafting, IV conscious sedation, dental sleep medicine for patients with obstructive sleep apnea, and oral rehabilitation for individuals with complex TMD, tooth wear, and bite concerns.Dr. Khanna remains actively engaged in his field as an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the University of Alberta Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry. Additionally, he has established his own dental education platform called ADEPT Dental Education, which aims to drive accelerated growth on the clinical and business sides of Dentistry.Community involvement has always held great importance in Dr. Khanna’s life. As a dental student, he founded the SHINE Dental Clinic in Edmonton to provide dental care to those in need. He also leads a non-profit organization called Cause to Smile, which strives to "do good beyond the walls of our clinics."Away from his professional endeavors, Dr. Khanna enjoys traveling with his wife and two young daughters, creating cherished memories that will last a lifetime.Resources discussed in this episode:Startup TNTShine Dental ClinicTec CanadaCause to SmileGiannis Antetokounmpo--Contact Tim Sweet | Team Work Excellence: WebsiteLinkedIn: Tim SweetInstagramLinkedin: Team Work ExcellenceContact Amreesh Khanna | OraQ AI: Website: oraq.aiInstagram: @dramreeshkhannaLinkedin: Amreesh Khanna--TranscriptAmreesh 00:01There's no failure in leadership if we are reflecting on it appropriately. There's good leaders and bad leaders. But if we're those honest leaders that are constantly reflecting about what we're doing, why we're doing, you know, like all these things, that we're thoughtfully and genuinely trying to do what's best, well, if that's the case, then there shouldn't be any failure in leadership too. Because without having the ups and downs and things working and not working, how would we even be where we are today, or able to do it right?Tim 00:33I'd like to ask you some questions. Do you consider yourself the kind of person that gets things done? Are you able to take a vision and transform that into action. Are you able to align others towards that vision and get them moving to create something truly remarkable? If any of these describe you, then you, my friend, are a leader, and this show is all about and all for you. I'm Tim Sweet, and this is the 50th episode of the Sweet on Leadership podcast. Tim 1:06Welcome back to the sweet on leadership podcast, where we explore stories and strategies behind remarkable leaders, and we're certainly joined by one of those today. I am thrilled that sitting across from me virtually is Amreesh Khanna, a visionary, an entrepreneur, driving force behind Ora! AI. Amreesh, we've known each other now for about two years, roughly, having met through Startup TNT, I am so impressed at how you are disrupting your industry in such a positive and empowering way for both the dental community and the patients, and I would love for you to introduce yourself and and let us into what drives you in that space. So, welcome Amreesh. Amreesh 01:53Thank you so much. Tim. I really appreciate the opportunity to be on your show, and thank you for thinking of ...
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    46 分
  • Karen Dommett - Belonging Starts Here: Fostering Inclusion Through Connection and Curiosity

    Karen Dommett - Belonging Starts Here: Fostering Inclusion Through Connection and Curiosity
    2025/01/22
    In this inspiring episode, Karen Dommett, Manager of Games and Competition at Special Olympics Canada, joins the podcast to share her journey from rural Saskatchewan to her impactful role in inclusive sports. Karen shares with Tim and listeners how her love for boxing not only shaped her sense of community and resilience but also empowered her to compete and win the Western Canadian championships. She highlights the transformative power of sports in fostering belonging, building confidence, and creating opportunities for connection.Karen delves into her work at Special Olympics Canada, emphasizing the social impact of major sporting events and the importance of creating environments of psychological safety and inclusivity. She shares her leadership philosophy, which is grounded in guiding principles, human connection, and fostering a culture where everyone feels they truly belong. Karen also discusses how Special Olympics is changing perceptions of people with disabilities and calls for community involvement ahead of the 2026 Special Olympics Canada Summer Games in Medicine Hat, Alberta.Tune in to hear Karen’s unique insights on the long-term cultural benefits of inclusive sports, the challenges of leadership, and how we can all make a difference by fostering authenticity and inclusion in our own communities. About Karen DommettFrom the rural landscapes of Saskatchewan to the national stage of Special Olympics Canada, Karen Dommett has built a career grounded in resilience, passion, and the transformative power of sport. As the Manager of Games and Competition for Special Olympics Canada, Karen brings a wealth of experience in fostering inclusion and creating life-changing opportunities through sport.Karen's journey began as a determined young athlete convincing her farming parents to let her take up boxing—a path that not only taught her grit but also revealed her ability to adapt and excel. Her tenacity led her to a Western Canadian Championship title, where she mastered the art of turning challenges into advantages.With a degree in kinesiology and a love for the collective energy of major sporting events, Karen found her calling in sports administration. From contributing to the World Juniors in Saskatoon to leading national-level competitions, Karen has dedicated her career to creating moments that inspire athletes, build communities, and develop future leaderResources discussed in this episode:Special Olympics CanadaSport for Life—Contact Tim Sweet | Team Work Excellence: WebsiteLinkedIn: Tim SweetInstagramLinkedin: Team Work ExcellenceContact Karen Dommett | Special Olympics: Linkedin: Karen Dommett--TranscriptKaren 00:01I think everything I've ever learned or felt like the outcome always landed back to in an inclusion moment or social impact or any deep achievement, it's always rooted back to people first and true connection. And whenever there has been that upfront investment in that time, and building that psychological safety, building that connection, and always peeling back that like just people are people are people, man, the efficiency, the return on investment, on human connection, it makes those hard, difficult situations so much easier. Tim 00:40I'd like to ask you some questions. Do you consider yourself the kind of person that gets things done? Are you able to take a vision and transform that into action? Are you able to align others towards that vision and get them moving to create something truly remarkable? If any of these describe you, then you, my friend, are a leader, and this show is all about and all for you. I'm Tim Sweet, and I'd like to welcome you to Episode 49 of the Sweet on Leadership podcast. Tim 1:12Welcome to Sweet on leadership. Thanks again for joining me today. I am thrilled to welcome a truly inspiring leader in the world of inclusive sports. Karen Dommett. Karen, thanks for being here. I really appreciate it. Karen 1:23Yeah. Thanks so much for having me. Tim 1:25From your roots in rural Saskatchewan in your early days as a boxer, which, that's one of the connections that you and I have, because boxing is something that has been a very special part of my life. To your current role of Manager of Games and Competition at Special Olympics Canada. You know, I look at your journey, and it's one of resilience, it's one of passion. It's one of driving social change. And I can't wait till we can dive into it, because I think people are going to get a lot out of it. Karen 1:51Well, thanks so much. Tim 1:52Can you tell me and tell us a little bit about your history, and where do you find yourself now, and what would we see you doing day in and day out. Karen 02:02Yeah, so I guess sport has always played a part in my life. I was always a kid who was begging her farming parents to put her into sports, and somehow convinced them boxing was a sport they should say yes to. And yeah, sport has just always been where I found connection. It's always felt home ...
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    39 分
  • Harold Horsefall - Balancing Material Success and Personal Fulfillment

    Harold Horsefall - Balancing Material Success and Personal Fulfillment
    2025/01/08
    Tim Sweet chats with Harold Horsefall, an Indigenous issues strategist from the Pasqua First Nation, about his inspiring path from firefighter to cultural leader. Harold shares his journey rooted deeply in traditional values and leadership principles. Harold highlights the importance of preserving language, place names, and cultural landmarks and how they shape the understanding of the land. He also opens up about the impact of his family's residential school history, which fuels his dedication to truth, reconciliation, and advancing Indigenous relations through meaningful projects like managing a memorial for residential schools.Harold offers insights into the progress and challenges in Indigenous relations, noting increased federal investments since 2015 and advocating for greater support in areas like education. He emphasizes continuous self-improvement and aligning work with personal values, drawing parallels between traditional practices like the sweat lodge ceremony and the process of reconciliation. Harold reflects on the balance of material success and personal fulfillment, encouraging listeners to pursue work that contributes to growth and happiness. Tune in to learn more about Harold’s inspiring story, his current projects, and his vision for the future of Indigenous relations.About Harold HorsefallHarold Horsefall is an experienced Indigenous Relations Strategist who is focused on creating meaningful relationships between Municipal Government, the Treaty 7 Nations, the Metis Nation of Alberta Region 3, Inuit, and urban Indigenous Calgarians.Harold has a demonstrated track record of attaining results and is skilled in advancing Truth & Reconciliation to build mutually beneficial outcomes. He is a strategic thinker who aims to co-create with Indigenous Stakeholders. Harold is a well-rounded professional and has a Master of Global Management (International Business) from Royal Roads University. Resources discussed in this episode:Mount Yamnuska - WikipediaElbow River - WikipediaA History of the Indian Trust Fund videoThe Confluence - Calgary--Contact Tim Sweet | Team Work Excellence: WebsiteLinkedIn: Tim SweetInstagramLinkedin: Team Work ExcellenceContact Harold Horsefall: Website: The ConfluenceLinkedin: HaroldHorsefall--TranscriptHarold 00:01There was a high school in Calgary. It was great. And I'm very thankful I got to go there. It's called the Plains Indian Cultural Survival School. And so in there, like, I got exposed to a lot of traditional values that I otherwise wouldn't have. And so even like pow wow singing, like I did, pow wow singing 10, 20, and 30. And so there's some traditional values that I was focused on. So like to be a leader, you had to be a person who risked your life for your people, for the people, and you did so selflessly. That was the big draw. To be a firefighter, to be able to say that I did that, and I did for seven years. And seven is, of course, if you didn't know, it's a very significant number to Indigenous people. Tim 00:39I'd like to ask you some questions. Do you consider yourself the kind of person that gets things done? Are you able to take a vision and transform that into action? Are you able to align others towards that vision and get them moving to create something truly remarkable? If any of these describe you, then you, my friend, are a leader, and this show is all about and all for you. I'm Tim sweet. Welcome to Episode 48 of the sweet on leadership podcast. Tim 01:10Welcome to Sweet on Leadership. Thanks again for joining us. Today we have the privilege of speaking to Harold Horsefall. You are an Indigenous Issues Strategist. You are a person that I met when I was helping a team with a team building day and a strategy day, and you had me thinking for days after that with your presentation, which I really am grateful for. And luckily enough, one of the people there was was willing to put us in touch. And so here you are today, and I'm really excited for you to be on the show help our audience have a brand new perspective on a number of things, and I think it's going to be fantastic. So Harold Horsefall, thanks for joining me. Harold 01:55Oh, thank you for having me. The honor is, the honor's mine. The Privilege is mine. Tim 01:58I really appreciate it. So as we get going, here, you and I've had some conversations leading up to this point, and I'd like you to tell us, how do you see yourself? How would you describe Harold the person? Harold 02:11Sure, no problem. I guess to start, though, first I'll introduce myself and a name. My name is Harold Horsefall. I'm originally from the Pasqua First Nation, so it's on Treaty 4, just northeast Regina, the Qu'Appelle River Valley. So you know, if you jump in the Bow River, we're in Calgary here, you jump in the Bow River on my on a paddle board, I could get there eventually, but I'm born and raised in Calgary, Alberta here. So I just wanted to say that, and just say hello to any ...
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