Generated by All in One SEO v4.9.9, this is an llms.txt file, used by LLMs to index the site.

# Canadian Keynote Motivational Speaker Nina Spencer

 Motivational Topics for Conference Events

## Sitemaps

- [XML Sitemap](https://ninaspencer.com/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website.

## Posts

- [Blog](https://ninaspencer.com/ninas-thoughts-life-business/)
- [Why can't service providers keep their clients in the loop when things go awry! ](https://ninaspencer.com/service-providers-clients-loop-awry/) - My newest book, A Time to Creep, A Time to Soar: Lessons learned for work and life from climbing Kilimanjaro, is doing so well that my inventory ran out in five months! A lovely “complaint.” So it went to second printing three weeks ago, with my publisher promising delivery on Friday, August 29. This allowed
- [Nina summits the tallest free standing mountain in the world!](https://ninaspencer.com/nina-summits-tallest-free-standing-mountain-world/) - Nina is about to embark on a journey of a lifetime! After 4 gruelling days of hiking and climbing the world's tallest free standing mountain, Nina, on her fifth day of the climb, will make her final summit push. You can see the summit in the distance. That little dot at the top of the
- [Postscript: Mount Kilimanjaro Climb](https://ninaspencer.com/postscript-kili-climb/) - Dear Readers: As you now know, I summitted Mt. Kilimanjaro Jan. 26th...I thank-you for the many emails you've sent wishing me well, cheering me on and supporting the cause for which I climbed. [youtube]lmxhf8zIX-c[/youtube] My January 15th departure for Africa, and summit day arrival on the 26th, may have come and gone, but I invite
- [Acccolade for the Keynote: A Time to Creep, A Time to Soar: Lessons Learned from climbing Kilimanjaro (Accolades)](https://ninaspencer.com/mt-kili-accolades/) - "Your breakfast keynote on, A Time to Creep, A Time to Soar: Lessons learned from climbing Kilimanjaro, was perfectly pitched. Many of us were feeling apprehensive about our subsequent treetop trekking activity and the thoughts and experiences you shared, and the way in which you presented them, resulted in a shift in mindset for everyone
- [Relaxing in Zanzibar](https://ninaspencer.com/blah/) - Well it's hard to believe that it was a week ago that the 13 of us summitted Kili, for as hard as we worked at it for seven days of ascent, that's how lazy we're being now, lolling about at a lovely resort in Zanzibar (healing our wounds and minor injuries). So surreal. Early morning
- [Nina on Safari in Kenya](https://ninaspencer.com/nina-safari-kenya/) - Back in Kenya now. Last night, while still in Nairobi, we were taken out to a restaurant named Carnivore, where, you guessed it, pretty much nothin' but meat was served. A little reluctantly I tried camel, ostrich, crocodile and oxen heart. A little bit "yucky," but at least I tried the "when in Rome" perspective.
- [The Summit Push](https://ninaspencer.com/summit-push/) - It's now 8pm on day 6 and I'm at 16,000 feet. This is my last ascent camp, known as Barafu Camp. Summit day is tomorrow and we start out at 3am in the morning with our target to summit at noon or 1pm. Wish me luck!!! Here's is a pic from our camp. See the
- [Day 5: The Wall](https://ninaspencer.com/day-5-wall/) - Today is the 5th morning of my 7 day ascent of Mt. Kili and on my trek to the summit, I faced a daunting 800 foot vertical climb of what is known as, the Great Barranco Wall. "Pole pole" (slowly, slowly) does it. Onwards and upwards I trekked finally reaching the top. I'm having to
- [This is it](https://ninaspencer.com/1903-2/) - Well I had a poor night's sleep last Night. Awoke at 4:20 to the sound of a rooster crowing (that then continued on and off til sundown!) A few minutes later the sounds of faithful Muslims' calling prayers, then, shortly afterwards, the repetitive striking of a nearby Hindu temple bell. I surrendered to the dual
- [The Eve of the Ascent](https://ninaspencer.com/eve-ascent/) - Seven hour bus ride today from Nairobi, Kenya to Moshi, Tanzania, crossing rural Africa in a way classic to what you might see on a travel or history tv channel or read in a magazine, e.g National Geographic. We experienced moments of adventure and uncertainty at the border and that's all I have to say
- [Out of Africa - Kenya](https://ninaspencer.com/africa/) - A picture perfect Kenyan morning breakfasting in the cafe and strolling the university grounds, noting all kinds of birds and trees, including a fan shaped one called an East West tree, for no matter how this tree's seed is planted it will only spread east west. interesting, eh? Afterwards, we visited a children 's school
- [Toronto Departure and Arrival in Africa](https://ninaspencer.com/toronto-departure-arrival-africa/) - Sunday Night, Jan. 16, great flight(s)! Twenty-two hours of travel but here now. Second leg was spectacular from the clear blue and sunny sky that I saw from my window--second of two seven hour flights. Saw from my window Paris, the Italian and French Alps, the entire sunny west coast of Italy--the whole length...Genoa, Naples,
- [Maximizing the Probability of Reaching Your 5,882 Metre/19,298 Foot "Summit"](https://ninaspencer.com/maximizing-probability-reaching-5882-metre19298-foot-summit/) - Saturday, January 8th to Thursday, January 13th, inclusive Well this is it my friends, the metaphoric 11th hour. And as for me? I've completely scaled back any walking or hiking now. Months ago I read that this is the advice offered up by modern-day coaches of elite athletes. Sounds good to me! However, I'm not
- [I Get By With A Little Help From My Friends](https://ninaspencer.com/friends/) - Well it's "crunch, crunch" time, and I don't mean the sound of the snow underfoot at Rattlesnake Point this past weekend. I mean less than seven weeks to go until Kili departure. I'm feeling it now...the need to focus on strengthening even further those muscle groups that will see me up and down the mountain
- [Feel the Pain (or Cold?) and Do it Anyway](https://ninaspencer.com/feel-pain-cold/) - Another heavy-duty hiking weekend completed, now. Saturday, November 20th, just a 7K urban hike through west-end Toronto's High Park. The real story, however, is Sunday, November 21st's trek. On Sunday morning, I awoke in the predawn with a sure-fired sore throat. Although not fully conscious, I recollect thinking, "Uh oh, I simply can't get sick...not
- [Buck Up for an Urban Surprise](https://ninaspencer.com/buck-urban-surprise/) - On Sunday, November 14 we chose to walk a quicker, urban trail that, although wouldn't give us much in the way of incline or rough terrain training, would help us log some serious "Ks". And so we hiked the "Discovery Trail" along the Humber River, picking the path up in suburban Toronto's/Etobicoke's James Gardens and
- [The Snowy Road Less Travelled or "Pride Goeth Before A Fall"](https://ninaspencer.com/snowy-road-travelled-pride-goeth-fall/) - Last Sunday I hiked Algonquin Park's Centennial Ridges for what probably will be the last time this season. Too bad...last Sunday's climb was my "lucky 7th" hike of that trail, and I was becoming quite fond of this 5 hour challenge. The first time I climbed to the first 2000' ridge, on July 26th, old
- [Back in the saddle again](https://ninaspencer.com/saddle/) - On Saturday, October 30, 2010 I started back with my personal trainer, Cecilia Gauvin. She's fabulous! What an inspiring, loving, yet gentle, "butt-kicker" she is! I finally returned after 6 weeks off, due to my back injury (tripping on those pillows in my bedroom a few weeks back, the story around which I shared in
- [Projects that are "bigger than a breadbox", or, "How much shopping is too much shopping?"](https://ninaspencer.com/projects-bigger-breadbox-shopping-shopping/) - On Friday, October 29, 2010, I went shopping for more hiking clothing. I've discovered a new passion and activity that I intend to embrace all the rest of my days, so I'm fine with the big initial outlay of funds for appropriate gear and clothing but, boy, I seem to need, "one more thing, one
- [Gift of Rainy Day Hikes](https://ninaspencer.com/gift-rainy-day-hikes/) - Last Sunday, October 24, 2010, I hiked my longest hike (kilometer-wise/17K) to date, along Rattlesnake Point/Crawford Lake Portion of Ontario's spectacular Bruce Trail. Drove there in the sopping rain at 7 a.m. It rained all Saturday night. The kind of rain you can hear through closed windows. The kind that wakes you up. Which it
- [Busting the Myth: Who, you climb a mountain??? Honey, you're not the type!](https://ninaspencer.com/busting-myth-climb-mountain-honey-youre-type/) - I'm having some fun telling certain people I'm climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro because some people (who don't know me well enough, perhaps), think they've got me all figured out; as such, they just can't fathom me doing something so "out-doors-y" as climbing the world's tallest freestanding mountain. In some people's minds, I'm just, "not the type"
- [Pride goeth before a fall: Getting back on track](https://ninaspencer.com/pride-goeth-fall-track/) - It's official! Only 12 weeks to go until I take on what will probably be the hardest physical challenge of my life (and that's including childbirth!). All that I've spoken with, who have done the climb of Kilimanjaro, say this is so...that it was the hardest physical thing they ever did; but also the most
- [Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro](https://ninaspencer.com/2640-2/) - My Dear Working Wisdom subscribers, clients (and potential clients), colleagues, friends and anyone who may have just now found their way, serendipitously, to my website and blog! I have BIG personal news that I so wish to share with you! In January 2011 I will be climbing Mount Kilimanjaro and am raising funds for a
- [Lessons & Reflections from Zanzibar](https://ninaspencer.com/lessons-reflections-zanzibar/) - Well all this hydrotherapy I've been getting, between the Indian Ocean and the salt water pool, has pretty much healed my elbow injury received when I fell during the last few moments of my nine day hike last week. It's incredible to me to comprehend that one week has already passed since last Wednesday's Kili
- [Nina summits Mount Kilimanjaro!!!](https://ninaspencer.com/nina-summits-mount-kilimanjaro/)
- [Appreciating Staff, Colleagues and Yourself!](https://ninaspencer.com/appreciating-staff-colleagues-2/) - Sometimes, in some "sick" corporate cultures (bewildering as it may seem), expressions of staff appreciation rarely, if ever, occur. What's an individual to do? It's nice, and even feeds the soul, when your employer acknowledges and appreciates your professional gifts and talents but, if they are not being recognized, at least acknowledge them for yourself...it
- [On the subject line of SPAM](https://ninaspencer.com/on-the-subject-line-of-spam/) - One of my biggest email pet peeves is receiving important business emails all folded-in with my daily SPAM...and I don't mean luncheon meat! Like you, I receive a fair amount of SPAM and, therefore, several times a day (when I feel the need to shift gears and do a bit of mindless work), my finger
- [Toying with a digital scale and the "weight of the world"](https://ninaspencer.com/toying-with-a-digital-scale-and-the-weight-of-the-world/) - With amazing regularity I read newspaper articles and the likes, about workplace stress getting the better of workers and undermining maximum workplace productivity. These articles always put the blame on the stresses of the job, but I've noticed something quite interesting about stress and the seeming "weight of the world" bearing down on me, while
- [What comes first...the chicken or the egg...the job or the passion?](https://ninaspencer.com/what-comes-first-the-chicken-or-the-egg-the-job-or-the-passion/) - "Age may wrinkle the face, but lack of enthusiasm wrinkles the soul.", so says Samuel Ulman. So how are you protecting your working soul from "wrinkles", these mid-winter days? Where are you at regarding your daily stores of enthusiasm for all you do on-the-job? No energy for enthusiasm in these doldrums days of seemingly endless
- [Service Excellence is in the Attention to Detail](https://ninaspencer.com/service-excellence-is-in-the-attention-to-detail/) - I've paid my respects to two different families, at two different funeral homes, in less than 7 days...and this is what I've noticed...service excellence is definitely in the attention to detail (or lack there of). While departing the first of these two facilities, I chose to walk along a corridor leading to the side door
- [Sometimes Work's a BIG Pain in the Neck!](https://ninaspencer.com/sometimes-works-a-big-pain-in-the-neck/) - A couple of weeks ago I spoke at the World Council of Credit Unions' Annual Conference. What a terrific bunch they were, and what an honour and great fun it was addressing such a diversity of delegates from over 50 countries--an honour that almost didn't happen, I might add. Why? Because sometimes my job is
- [Blinding Flashes of the Obvious](https://ninaspencer.com/blinding-flashes-of-the-obvious/) - Have you ever thrashed around in the emotional pain of indecision, or found yourself suffering from "paralysis of analysis" regarding a particular personal or professional issue or choice? Of course you have. Everyone "goes there" at some time or another, don't they? And--thank goodness--sooner or later we all find our way through the instability of
- [It's Not My Job to Bend Over](https://ninaspencer.com/its-not-my-job-to-bend-over/) - The other day I stood third in line at the post office to Xpress Post an order of books to a client. While awaiting my turn, both myself and the man in front of me, simultaneously noticed that a couple greeting cards from the adjacent shelves had fallen to the ground, immediately in our path.
- [From the frying pan into the fire](https://ninaspencer.com/from-the-frying-pan-into-the-fire/) - I cut my first teeth (years and years ago) in organizational development under the banner of a large organization--large enough to sustain its own intimate coral of management development workshop facilitators. After a few years I felt under appreciated, under recognized and under utilized, therefore I quietly--as most do in such cases--started an external job
- [The Flight from Hell and Teamwork Lessons Learned from Hurricane Alex](https://ninaspencer.com/the-flight-from-hell-and-teamwork-lessons-learned-from-hurricane-alex/) - Back on April 26, 2007 I blogged about the challenges and down-right fright of flying in small, weight-imblanced planes and drew parallels between imbalanced planes and imbalanced work lives. I also mentioned--in that blog--another air-bourne fright I experienced trying to get home from a speaking engagement in the Bahamas during the first hours of 2004's
- [The value of "shifting perspectives"](https://ninaspencer.com/the-value-of-shifting-perspectives/) - A couple of weeks ago I flew to a speaking engagement in Northern Ontario. Times in the airline industry being what they are, long gone are the big jets to get me to little places. Instead, it was a small plane that was my flying chariot. You know the kind...the kind that, even when departing
- [The Sanjaya Factor](https://ninaspencer.com/the-sanjaya-factor-2/) - What is it? Well here's one of my dirty-little secrets...I watch American Idol. Yup--Religiously. It started off as something that my daughter and I could sit down together and watch and have a laugh and be entertained, chat, etc. And then she got bored and abandoned ship (weeks and weeks ago). What became of me?
- [As you make your bed, so you must lie in it](https://ninaspencer.com/as-you-make-your-bed-so-you-must-lie-in-it/) - I recently fell in love with a grand Victorian reproduction Aged-Iron Bed by Wesley Allen, while window-shopping in a West-End Toronto neighbourhood full of little independent specialty stores. It was the blandest part of late winter when I pressed my cold nose to the window of this beautiful bedding shop and drooled, imagining this piece
- [Happy Valentine's Day](https://ninaspencer.com/happy-valentines-day/) - Happy Valentine's Day to you! This date marks the second anniversary of the launch of my first book, Getting Passion Out of Your Profession: How to keep loving your living...come what may. And what a passionate year it's been, indeed, fulfilling a record number of client demands and engagements for my conference keynote and workshop
- [Coping With the Last Stretch of 2007: a.k.a. Workplace Stress Time's Last Hurrah!](https://ninaspencer.com/coping-with-the-last-stretch-of-2007-a-k-a-workplace-stress-times-last-hurrah/) - Okay, this is it. Don't get scared. Here we are--finally!--the last of 2007. For many, this week marks the home stretch before holy-days and vacation time. For others, the end of December merely represents a couple of extra days off work, followed by the stress of holding down the organization's fort while coping with the
- [Intrapreneurial Networking Masters](https://ninaspencer.com/intrapreneurial-networking-masters-2/) - Organizations have embraced teamwork for at least the past two decades. Now comes the importance of recognizing the art of internal and "on purpose" networking. Many people still think networking is an on-the-side, personal activity for career pathing beyond their current positions and organizations, but employee dedication to broadening personal influence and wisdom, while still
- ["The Experience starts <i>now</i>!" At least <i>that's</i> what they promised](https://ninaspencer.com/the-experience-starts-now-at-least-thats-what-they-promised/) - I traded in my old modem for a new one today; this required a visit to one of my service provider's retail outlets. Now I'm in "the business" of championing service excellence, employee motivation, how to feel and how to demonstrate authentic passion for your profession (whatever it is you "do" for a living), so,
- [Using Your Contacts and Actually Asking for What You Want](https://ninaspencer.com/using-your-contacts-and-actually-asking-for-what-you-want/) - The other day a beautifully dressed young man, attired in full business regalia, knocked on my door wishing to make his professional introductions as a newly minted financial advisor with a well known financial institution. He was inspired to try the good old fashioned, door-to-door approach of stirring the pot to secure new clients. Funnily
- [Accepting rejection and rejecting acceptance](https://ninaspencer.com/accepting-rejection-and-rejecting-acceptance/) - I've been speaking for a living for more than two decades. I'm still going at it strong and am booked each year to the extent I wish (and often times repeatedly by the same clients). So I must still be doing something right, as my client "Accolades"--well documented at ninaspencer.com will attest. Still, from time-to-time,
- [Back-to-School and Back-to-Professional Conferences:](https://ninaspencer.com/back-to-school-and-back-to-professional-conferences/) - How to get the best bang for your conference buck Here it comes...almost back-to-school time once again, and time for something else, too! The professional conference season--autumn meetings and beyond--is almost upon us, as well. Attending such events offer up such a deluge of information that, as one colleague expresses, "It feels like you've just
- [Moving Beyond Your "Berry-Picking" Job](https://ninaspencer.com/moving-beyond-your-berry-picking-job/) - July is raspberry time in my backyard and the choice pickings go on and on for weeks! The quiet of this past early Sunday morning was picture perfect for plucking an ample bowl for breakfast and folding in a working meditation along the way. When my mind strayed, it went to thoughts of the mantra,
- [PowerPoint Bored'em](https://ninaspencer.com/powerpoint-boredem/) - I recently was the closing speaker at two events where speaker after speaker after speaker--all senior executive-types--read, word-for-word from their scripts, while hiding behind the podium in half-light and letting the bells and whistles of PowerPoint presentations deliver the main thrust of their messages. One "reader" would have been bad enough, but four? five? and
- [My Eulogy for my Dear Friend Dianna Barrett](https://ninaspencer.com/my-eulogy-for-my-dear-friend-dianna-barrett/) - March 7, 1956 - December 1, 2008 Dianna hated winter. Correction. She hated Canadian winters...but loved winters anywhere south of, let's say, the 25 parallel! So, knowing this, I guess we shouldn't be too surprised to see she chose to depart this earthly plane at the start of the month that heralds the official season
- [In Business and in Life, What Goes Around Comes Can Surely Come Around: Practice Generosity](https://ninaspencer.com/in-business-and-in-life-what-goes-around-comes-can-surely-come-around-practice-generosity/) - When I was in high school I heard a saying that really stuck with me: Be careful whose fingers you step on, on your way up the ladder because you just might meet them on your way down." I recall, years ago, the hard slogging, in-the-trenches days of prospecting clients one phone call and one
- [A Class Act of Customer Service](https://ninaspencer.com/a-class-act-of-customer-service/) - I had a stellar experience being of service to a particular client a couple of days ago. They were a class act from their very first call of initial enquiry regarding the booking of my services, clean on through to their superb efficiency at handling and processing all administrivia between us, and then on to
- [Is it the customer's job to give direction to the staff member?](https://ninaspencer.com/is-it-the-customers-job-to-give-direction-to-the-staff-member/) - I got sloppy about taking care of some personal business today and, as a result, found I'd best choose a speedier than normal route to completion. Doing my very best to protect the actual name of the organization in question, I arrived at their doorstep expecting to pay a premium for speedier service...and was fine
- [Settling for less than perfect](https://ninaspencer.com/settling-for-less-than-perfect/) - My grade 9 history teacher taught me an important and even profound life lesson, all those years ago, about appreciating what you have right now. I'd received a mark of 29 out of 30 on a term test. While debriefing the test with is class, my teacher explained, question-by-question, how he awarded marks. From that,
- [Japanese toilet-cleaning superstition](https://ninaspencer.com/japanese-toilet-cleaning-superstition/) - Back on March 13, 2007 the Globe and Mail newspaper ran a little ditty on its fun and quirky Social Studies page that revealed, "In Japan, fortune tellers are advising those who want to be successful in life (and at work) to start by scrubbing the bathroom (reported by Reuters). Apparently a recently published Japanese
- [The Sound of Service Excellence](https://ninaspencer.com/the-sound-of-service-excellence/) - Are professional graces and manners--polite on-the-job behaviours and attitudes once thought a matter of "common decency"--going the way of current stock markets? Are many workers, of all stripes and in all industries, experiencing such a sense of smoldering stress that they either cannot or will not demonstrate anything beyond the bare basic technicalities of their
- [The Motivation to Write](https://ninaspencer.com/the-motivation-to-write/) - Three of my friends are currently fretting over the writing of their books, or rather, their lack of it. I too know this feeling from time-to-time. An idea can brew around in one's head for quite a while, but getting those first few words down are always the hardest, especially when you feel your motivation
- [Three Questions](https://ninaspencer.com/three-questions/) - by Leo Tolstoy One day it occurred to a certain emperor that if he only knew the answer to three questions, he would never stray in any matter. What is the best time to do each thing? Who are the most important people to work with? What is the most important thing to do at
- [Funny Days](https://ninaspencer.com/funny-days/) - My darling 12 and a half year old Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier, Angus, was diagnosed with terminal, inoperable Oral Cancer on August 6, 2009, but is still in fine enough shape for now to be with us a while longer. He's just in need of some special consideration and TLC. I've started pureeing Angus' food in
- [A time for all good people to come to the aid of those in need](https://ninaspencer.com/a-time-for-all-good-people-to-come-to-the-aid-of-those-in-need/) - Yesterday at the gas station a woman locked herself out of her car while it was still running (purse and keys inside). A man offered to help her (he, coincidentally was a locksmith and had the means)...for $30.00!!! I commented that it would be nicer if he helped her just to be kind...to be chivalrous???
- [A Blustery New Year's Walk and Huge Excitement in the Air...](https://ninaspencer.com/a-blustery-new-years-walk-and-huge-excitement-in-the-air/) - ...or, it Ain't Over 'Til the Climbing Lady Sings (from the top of the world) On Monday, Janaury 3rd, we Kili women walked from High Park's Grenadier Restaurant (in the west end of Toronto) down to Lake Ontario and the Martin Goodman Trail, and all the way over to Queen's Quay, stopping at William's Coffee
- [A Trail To Remember...](https://ninaspencer.com/a-trail-to-remember-2/) - or, How I Almost Got Caught "With My Pants Down"! Because I was so cold last time I hiked Hockley, this day I decided to dress extra warmly. I pretty much threw on every winter hiking garment I owned! For some strange reason we all compare notes before we start off on our hikes, while

## Pages

- [Motivational Keynote Speaker for Conference Events: Nina Spencer, Toronto, Ontario](https://ninaspencer.com/) - Download Canadian Keynote Motivational Speaker, Nina Spencer's BIO in PDF Looking for a strong, female Canadian keynote motivational speaker, or conference speaker who knows how to inspire an audience? Nina Spencer, considered among the best of Canadian keynote motivational speakers, delivers motivational messages for all kinds of business and association meetings and conferences. About Nina
- [Accolades: Business, Financial, Insurance, Legal, Real Estate, Crown Corporations](https://ninaspencer.com/accolades/accolades-business-legal-pharmaceutical-real-estate/) - What Business, Financial, Insurance, Legal, Real Estate, Crown Corporations are saying about Canadian Business Conference Speaker, Nina Spencer... "The customer is the only critic whose opinion matters at all." -- Mark Twain A Sample of Audience Reactions "Thank you for your [two] closing keynote sessions as part of our annual global kick-off event. Not only
- [Association Canada Motivational Keynote Speaker, Nina Spencer Client List](https://ninaspencer.com/client-list/ninas-client-list-charitable-organizations-associations-trade-shows-business-networking-organizations/) - Associations, Trade Shows and Business Networking Organizations: Association of Workers Compensation Boards of Canada (AWCBC) Canadian Association of Women Executives and Entrepreneurs(CAWEE) Association of Architectural Technologists of Ontario/AATO Canadian Diabetes Association (CDA) Canadian Society of Association Executives (CSAE) Meeting Professionals International (MPI) American Management Association (AMA) (multiple x) Human Resources Professional's Association of Ontario (HRPAO)
- [Keynote Speaker for Education, Law Enforcement & Boards of Trade, Nina Spencer Client List:](https://ninaspencer.com/client-list/ninas-client-list-education-law-law-enforcement-boards-trade-chamber-commerce-rotary-clubs/) - Education: Western University Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario (2x) University of Guelph (multiple x) Seneca College (2x) George Brown College (multiple x) Canadore College (2x) Humber College (3x) The Academy of Learning York University Management Association York Catholic District School Board (2x) Peel Region Catholic School Board Peel District School Board (3x) Durham College, Management,
- [I may not be the most talented harp student but at my age, I have the most chutzpah](https://ninaspencer.com/multi-media/nina-spencer-motivational-speaker-news/i-may-not-be-the-most-talented-harp-student-but-at-my-age-i-have-the-most-chutzpah/) - First Person is a daily personal piece submitted by readers. Have a story to tell? See our guidelines at tgam.ca/essayguide. NINA SPENCER CONTRIBUTED TO THE GLOBE AND MAIL - 2024-03-20 ILLUSTRATION BY ALEX SIKLOS I’m a 66-year-old harp student. Others in my class are five, seven, 10, 14… The next oldest is 30, tops. I fancy myself the
- [Accolades: Health and Wellness](https://ninaspencer.com/accolades/accolades-health-wellness/) - What Health and Wellness professionals are saying about Canadian Healthcare Speaker, Nina Spencer... "The customer is the only critic whose opinion matters at all." -- Mark Twain A Sample of Audience Reactions "Thank you [for your closing keynote to] our association members, Ministry of Health and Ontario Health decision makers, and all other conference attendees
- [Keynote Speaker Association Health Care, Nina Spencer Client List](https://ninaspencer.com/client-list/ninas-client-list-health-wellness/) - Health Care/Wellness: Orthotics and Prosthetics Canada (OPC) Canadian Diabetes Association (CDA) Ontario Hospital Association/OHA (2x) Ontario Association of Medical Radiation Technologists/OAMRT Registered Practical Nurses Association of Ontario/RPNAO (2x) Trillium Health Centre/THC (4x) Ontario Workplace Safety and Insurance Board/WSIB (multiple x) Ontario Long Term Care Association/OLTCA (2x) Ontario Residential Association (2x) Ontario Ministry of Health and
- [Motivational Keynote Public Sector Speaker, Nina Spencer Client List](https://ninaspencer.com/client-list/client-list-public-sector/) - Public Sector Client List Ontario Ministry of Citizenship & Immigration Ontario Ministry of Education Ontario Ministry of Community and Social Services (6x) Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care (6x) Ontario Ministry of Children and Youth Services (5x) Ontario Ministry of Finance (3x) Ontario Ministry of Labour (2x) Ontario Ministry of Attorney General (3x)
- [Accolades: Education](https://ninaspencer.com/accolades/accolades-education/) - What Education Professionals are saying about Canadian Motivational Speaker, Nina Spencer... "The customer is the only critic whose opinion matters at all." -- Mark Twain A Sample List of Audience Reactions “I finally read your [Kilimanjaro] book. I simply could not put it down! It’s really good! You write extremely well! Your ability to express
- [Corporate Motivational Speaker, Nina Spencer Client List](https://ninaspencer.com/client-list/client-list-business-sector/) - Business Private Sector: Coca-Cola General Electric Xerox (2x) Whirlpool Alliance Atlantis Communications Sprint Canada (2x) Rogers AT&T (4x) Rothmans Benson and Hedges (4x) Bombardier Aerospace (2x) McDonald's (Restaurants) Maple Leaf Foods Glaxo Wellcome Institute for International Research (3x) International Quality & Productivity Center Harlequin Enterprises Casino Niagara Ellis Don Construction (3x) Delta / Peerless Faucets
- [Getting Around To It: (Story 1)](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2009/story-1/) - The Importance of the Follow Through in Work and Life Wishes and dreams of what you might professionally do "one day" aren't goals until you take a little action. And those fledgling goals, born of a little action, don't grow up and truly manifest at work or elsewhere unless you persevere and believe. A dear
- [Getting Around To It: (Story 3)](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2009/story-3/) - The Importance of the Follow Through in Work and Life Wishes and dreams of what you might professionally do "one day" aren't goals until you take a little action. And those fledgling goals, born of a little action, don't grow up and truly manifest at work or elsewhere unless you persevere and believe. A dear
- [A Time to Creep, A Time to Soar:](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2011/time-creep-time-soar-2/) - More Work and Life Lessons Learned From Climbing Kilimanjaro The bear went over the mountain, The bear went over the mountain, The bear went over the mountain, To see what he could see. And all that he could see, And all that he could see, Was the other side of the mountain, The other side
- [Employee-Manager Relations: What Really Matters](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2016/employee-manager-relations-matters/) - It doesn't matter what you know, unless you know what really matters. — Dr. Tim Elmore My 23 year old niece, Elizabeth, has now logged a blissful six months in her first real, fulltime, post-university position and has worked hard at doing all she could to accelerate her comfort with her new colleagues, and
- [Take That One Next Step: Now](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2021/take-that-one-next-step-now/) - It doesn't matter how grand your next step is, nor if you are planning that “journey of a thousand miles,” just commit to forward momentum—all the while mindfully practicing the occasional pause on a blessed plateau along your sometimes-steep-and-challenging climb—to rest, reflect, reenergize and rejoice in the view and experience of the moment. This is
- [Love the job you're with](https://ninaspencer.com/multi-media/nina-spencer-motivational-speaker-news/love-job-youre/) - Eight ways to put some passion back into your profession BY DAVE McGINN FP WEEKEND: NATIONAL POST, SATURDAY, FEBRURAY 11, 2006 Love is in the air this time of year -- except, it seems, at work. "For so many people, no matter how exciting their job was for them in the beginning, it's inevitable that
- [Summertime, and the brain is mushy](https://ninaspencer.com/multi-media/nina-spencer-motivational-speaker-news/summertime-brain-mushy/) - REJUVENATION It's a problem many face at this time of year - but career experts say you'd be wise to do whatever you can to snap out of it It's a problem many face at this time of year - but career experts say you'd be wise to do whatever you can to snap out
- [How you tell the new boss what needs to change](https://ninaspencer.com/multi-media/nina-spencer-motivational-speaker-news/tell-boss-change/) - B14 - Report on Business Weekend Careers/Management Saturday, September 23, 2006 You probably have lots of great ideas, but how you present them is crucial, VIRGINIA GALT writes The workplace is dysfunctional, morale is in the tank -- and in comes a new executive with the clout to fix things. His or her arrival could
- [Accolades: Professional Associations, Non-Profits and Charitable Organizations](https://ninaspencer.com/accolades/accolades-professional-associations/) - What Professional Associations, Non-Profits and Charitable Organizations are saying about Canadian Motivational Speaker, Nina Spencer... "The customer is the only critic whose opinion matters at all." -- Mark Twain A Sample List of Audience Reactions "Your keynote was a truly inspiring session today [at our annual AOPHBA Conference/Association of Ontario Public Health Business Administrators]. I
- [Home](https://ninaspencer.com/home-2/)
- [I invite you to view MY FIFTH of five (3 minute) guest spots-this one on, Growing, Nuturing and Protecting Your Network on Biz TV Canada.](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2012/invite-view-3-minute-guest-spots-growing-nuturing-protecting-network-biz-tv-canada/) - As well, if you missed or care to revisit my other shows, I've listed those too for you. Please feel free to refer this most recent show (and the others, as well, if you're so inspired!) to your colleagues, associates, those to whom you may report and even family and friends who are looking for
- [Accolades: Public Sector](https://ninaspencer.com/accolades/accolades-public-sector/) - What people are saying about Canadian Public Sector Speaker, Nina Spencer... "The customer is the only critic whose opinion matters at all." -- Mark Twain A Sample of Audience Reactions ""Thank you for your keynote honouring our staff on International Women's Day with the Correctional Service Canada. It was very informative and full of positive
- [Rising Above/Kilimanjaro Summit Day Anniversary](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2022/rising-above-kilimanjaro-summit-day-anniversary/) - Today, January 26th, marks the 11th anniversary of my Summit Day of Mt. Kilimanjaro—the world's tallest freestanding mountain! (January 29th marks the day I completed the climb). My subsequent workplace-focused book—A Time to Creep, A Time to Soar: Lessons learned for work and life from Climbing Kilimanjaro—became (and still is, especially through these pandemic times!)
- [A Time to Creep, A Time to Soar: Lessons learned for work and life from climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro](https://ninaspencer.com/books/ninas-mt-kilimanjaro-climb/) - One can never consent to creep when one feels an impulse to soar. — Helen Keller My second book, A Time to Creep, A Time to Soar: Lessons learned for work and life from climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro. In addition to becoming my second book offering, this Kili topic is also my newest keynote presentation; which,
- [It Takes TWO to see ONE](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2022/takes/) - The Art of Giving and Receiving Feedback "O' wad some poower the giftie gi'e us, tae see o'orsels as ithers see us." — Rabbie Burns I've always found this passage by the beloved Scottish poet, Robert Burns, to be profoundly true. Thanks to a dear Scottish friend, I'm able to provide you with the authentic
- [25th Anniversary Edition](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2022/25th-anniversary-edition/) - Silver Linings Out of the Blue in 2022: Epiphanies at Work “Light bulb,” “aha,” “eureka” or “epiphanic” moments… whatever you call those gob-smacking, out-of-the-blue revelations, we are all occasionally struck with least-expected, seemingly random, life-changing realizations that alter the course of our destiny. I like the word “epiphany” best of all to identify those great
- [Working Wisdom 2022](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2022/)
- [Working Wisdom 2021](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2021/)
- [Finding Jack in Flanders Fields: Lest We Forget](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2021/finding-jack-in-flanders-fields-lest-we-forget/) - I originally published "Finding Jack In Flanders Fields" as my November 2020 Working Wisdom article. Because I received such an overwhelming number of heartfelt responses to that piece it occurs to me that, especially because we’re still navigating these pandemic days you might garner good value from re-reading, or reading for the first time, my
- [Nina on BizTV Video Clips](https://ninaspencer.com/multi-media/keynote-video-clips/nina-biztv-video-clips/) - "BizTv talks about Getting Passion out of Your Profession with Nina Spencer" (Extended Cut) "BizTv talks about Getting Passion out of Your Profession with Nina Spencer" "5 Tips for Getting the Most Out of Conferences AFTER the Event with Nina Spencer" "12 Tips for Getting the Most Out of Conferences During the Event with Nina
- [Beating the Beckoning (Workplace) Blahs](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2015/beating-beckoning-workplace-blahs/) - How's the colour on your nose this month? Your cheeks? Red enough for ya? In Canada the majority of us are seeing "red" because of all that "white," and some of us are blue because of it, too! We're not necessarily feeling--as the old rock and roll group The Dave Clark Five sang, "Glad all
- [What's Luck Got To Do With it?  How to get lucky at work and elsewhere](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2016/whats-luck-lucky-work/) - "Some guys have all the luck... some guys have all the pain," so says Rod Stewart in his song entitled the same. Why is it that some people seem luckier than others? Why is it that some of those "nice guys" really do seem to finish last? Karma? Destiny? Luck? Believe it or not, feeling
- [How to get passion out of your work](https://ninaspencer.com/multi-media/nina-spencer-motivational-speaker-news/how-to-get-passion-out-of-your-work/) - LEADERSHIP LAB NINA SPENCER SPECIAL TO THE GLOBE AND MAIL PUBLISHED FEBRUARY 15, 2019 Nina Spencer is a speaker, coach and author of Getting Passion Out of Your Profession. Do you love your job? If you won the lottery, would you stay? Most people declare they’d leave and find something different. Some say they’d never work
- [Forward Thinking: 2020 into 2021...](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2021/forward-thinking-2020-into-2021/) - Forward Thinking: Strategies for Protecting Your Professional Passion By Building Resilience, Embracing Renewal and Recovering Everyday Joy A Perfect Virtual Keynote Appreciation Gift… To Bolster and Fortify the Morale of Your Staff, Colleagues, or Association Members in 2021 After a year of earnest effort learning new skills to perform old jobs in new ways (whether
- [Face to Face with David Peck, Nina Spencer on Getting Passion Out of Your Profession](https://ninaspencer.com/multi-media/podcasts-featuring-nina-spencer/david-peck/) - Nina talks about her first job at DQ for a dollar an hour, why words are powerful, incremental change and why she challenged and then conquered the climb up Kilimanjaro. Nina is a popular Toronto-based international keynoter, workshop facilitator, speaker’s coach and bestselling author of Getting Passion Out of Your Profession. Dubbed by the National
- [Face to Face with David Peck, Nina Spencer on Mt. Kilimanjaro](https://ninaspencer.com/multi-media/podcasts-featuring-nina-spencer/face-face-david-peck-nina-spencer-mt-kilimanjaro/) - Nina has been a guest on Face2Face before. Today she talks about her lessons learned for work and life from climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. Bio Nina is a popular Toronto-based international keynoter, workshop facilitator, speaker’s coach and bestselling author of Getting Passion Out of Your Profession. Her latest book A Time To Creep, A Time To Soar
- [More About Nina Spencer](https://ninaspencer.com/nina-spencer-business-keynote-speaker/nina-spencer/) - Looking for a female Canadian motivational speaker, or conference speaker who knows how to inspire an audience? Nina Spencer, who is considered among the best of Canadian motivational keynote speakers, delivers motivational messages for all kinds of business and association meetings and conferences. Download Nina Spencer's BIO in PDF About Nina Spencer, Canadian Motivational Speaker
- [Books](https://ninaspencer.com/books/)
- [Client List](https://ninaspencer.com/client-list/)
- [About Nina](https://ninaspencer.com/nina-spencer-business-keynote-speaker/)
- [The honeymoon doesn't have to be over: Six not-so-silly nor April-foolish strategies for renewed energy, enthusiasm and love of work](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2005/honeymoon-doesnt-silly-april-foolish-strategies-renewed-energy-enthusiasm-love-work/) - Work is difficult. Or so it often seems once the "honeymoon" is over. And the "honeymoon", reported Wallace Immen of the Globe and Mail on March 30th, is typically over within six months! Immen shares the findings of a large-scale survey of attitudes conducted by Sirota Consulting, based in New York state, which declares this
- [The Eyes Have It—Or, Masked, We Advance and Give Thanks](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2020/the-eyes-have-it-or-masked-we-advance-and-give-thanks/) - 10 Strategies for Better Masked Communications People often say, “The eyes are the window to the soul,” and reference that “Your eye is the lamp of your body.” And even though our faces are mostly covered up right now (as we meet, greet, and work with one another beyond the sanctuaries of our homes), we
- [Finding Jack in Flanders Fields: Lest We Forget](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2020/finding-jack-in-flanders-fields-lest-we-forget/) - Jack was lost. But now he’s found. My grandmother would have wept. So did I. But in a good way. My grandmother was the youngest of 13 children (raised in England). Her biggest brother was also her favourite, and the eldest—John, a.k.a. Jack. Throughout my growing up years she recounted the heroic stories of “my
- [Lessons From the Freeway and Beyond: Making Space for Grace](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2020/lessons-from-the-freeway-and-beyond-making-space-for-grace/) - Dear Working Wisdom Reader… Some of my previous conference clients have just, this very Covid-19-scary week, rediscovered one of my archived Working Wisdom articles from a few years ago. They’ve kindly shared that they found my insights and messages (from back then) are oh-so-appropriate to contemplate and apply in our current unsettled times. From this
- [Voice-Over Work](https://ninaspencer.com/multi-media/voice-over-work/) - Magic Windows: Download mp3s of Nina Spencer voice-over for Magic Windows radio commercials. https://ninaspencer.com/downloads/Nina_Spencer_Magic_Window_Commericals.zip Magic Window-Nina Spencer-30-1_aug24 2015.mp3 Magic Window-Nina Spencer-30-2_aug24 2015.mp3 Magic Window-Nina Spencer-30-3_aug24 2015.mp3 Magic Window-Nina Spencer-120-1_aug24 2015.mp3 Magic Window-Nina Spencer-120-2_aug24 2015.mp3 LifeStyle - Glamping (Glamorous Camping) Lifestyle_A-NinaSpencer_1.mp3 Lifestyle_B-NinaSpencer_2.mp3
- [Multi-Media](https://ninaspencer.com/multi-media/)
- [Accolades](https://ninaspencer.com/accolades/) - “The customer is the only critic whose opinion matters at all.” — Mark Twain
- [Working Wisdom Archive](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-archive/)
- [Working Wisdom 2003](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2003/)
- [Working Wisdom 2004](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2004/)
- [Working Wisdom 2005](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2005/)
- [Working Wisdom 2006](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2006/)
- [Working Wisdom 2007](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2007/)
- [Working Wisdom 2008](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2008/)
- [Working Wisdom 2009](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2009/)
- [Working Wisdom 2010](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2010/)
- [Working Wisdom 2011](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2011/)
- [Working Wisdom 2012](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2012/)
- [Working Wisdom 2013](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2013/)
- [Working Wisdom 2014](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2014-2/) - Working Wisdom is a free periodic electronic publication written by Nina Spencer, business keynote speaker, author and workshop facilitator. Working Wisdom focuses on tried and tested strategies, quick tips and easy-to-facilitate exercises for improved workplace communications and productivity.
- [Articles](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/)
- [Working Wisdom 2015](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2015/) - Working Wisdom 2015 is a free periodic electronic publication written by Nina Spencer, motivational business keynote speaker, author and workshop facilitator. Working Wisdom focuses on tried and tested strategies, quick tips and easy-to-facilitate exercises for improved workplace communications and productivity.
- [Working Wisdom 2016](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2016/)
- [Working Wisdom 2017](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2017/)
- [Working Wisdom 2018](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2018/)
- [Working Wisdom 2020](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2020/)
- [Accolades about Nina Spencer's Motivational Keynotes: Master List](https://ninaspencer.com/accolades/accolades-nina-spencers-motivational-keynotes-master-list/) - What people are saying about Canadian Public Sector Speaker, Nina Spencer... "The customer is the only critic whose opinion matters at all." -- Mark Twain A Sample of Audience Reactions "Nina, we loved your keynote! It was inspiring! One hundred percent of our attendees found your messages and platform style motivating. I would highly recommend
- [Watch Nina Spencer on workopolis tv, talk about, How To Love Your Job Again](https://ninaspencer.com/multi-media/nina-spencer-motivational-speaker-news/watch-nina-spencer-workopolis-tv-talk-about-love-job/) - Workopolis tv, Bruce Sellery interviews author, Nina Spencer, about How To Love Your Job Again
- [Accolades: Radio, Television, Internet Media](https://ninaspencer.com/accolades/radio-television-internet-media/) - What the Canadian media has to say about Canadian Motivational Speaker, Nina Spencer "Nina, you are hilarious! I really enjoyed our on-air conversation yesterday [June 24, 2019] and of course, it's always a delight to see you! Look forward to our next connection!" Jane Brown AM 740 Morning News Anchor, AM 740/Classical 96.3FM Associate News
- [What's Luck Got To Do With it? How to get lucky at work and elsewhere](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2014-2/whats-luck-lucky-work/) - "Some guys have all the luck... some guys have all the pain," so sang The Persuaders in 1973 and Rod Stewart in 1984. Why is it that some people do seem luckier than others? Why is it that some of those "nice guys" really do seem to finish last? Karma? Destiny? Luck? Believe it or
- [Mentor Minute: How to become a person of influence](https://ninaspencer.com/multi-media/nina-spencer-motivational-speaker-news/mentor-minute-person-influence/) - by NINA SPENCER Globe and Mail, Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2010 The scenario I have plenty of professional expertise to share, but find that as an independent contributor at work, my ability to influence and persuade is wanting. I’m frustrated and irritated that people aren’t heeding my advice, and I know I can be brusque and
- [Playing 20 Questions with Yourself for Thanksgiving at Work](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2018/playing-20-questions-with-yourself-for-thanksgiving-at-work/) - Reflect on your present blessings, of which every man has many; not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some. — Charles Dickens When I started counting my blessings, my whole life turned around. — Willie Nelson, Musician and Singer Whether you celebrate Thanksgiving on the second Monday of October (Canadian-style), the last
- [Happy New Year to you!](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2018/happy-new-year-to-you/) - "Reaching for something in the distance. So close you can almost taste it... No one else can feel it for you. Only you can let it in. No one else, no one else can speak the words on your lips... Live your life with arms wide open. Today is where your book begins. The rest
- [How to choose the right speaker for your event](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/choose-speaker-event/) - It’s nearing the end of August—here comes conference season once again! When it's your role to choose the speakers for your next annual conference, company meeting, or special event, you wield significant power over its success. Choosing the right presenter can mean the difference between basking in the glory of a memorable event, or bearing
- [Choosing Well Among Motivational Keynote Speakers](https://ninaspencer.com/nina-spencer-business-keynote-speaker/choosing-motivational-keynote-speakers/) - Nina Spencer, Female Motivational Keynote Speaker, Discusses How to Choose among Business Motivational Speakers So That Your Event Can Be A Success: Choose an industry-specific presenter when the message you wish to convey is technical or clinical, the audience is highly specialized, or the corporate culture unique. Budget concerns may also play a role in
- [Buy The Book: Getting Passion Out Of Your Profession](https://ninaspencer.com/books/buy-book-passion-profession/) - This book will help you rediscover and reclaim your passion for your profession! Getting Passion Out of Your Profession delivers a motivational, inspirational and content-rich message that's relevant and topical, with a great sense of humor, and in a way that gets the reader's involvement and participation. Count on it, Nina Spencer delivers the goods!
- [Buy The Book: A Time to Creep, A Time to Soar](https://ninaspencer.com/books/buy-book-time-creep-time-soar/) - This book will help you (re)discover and (re)claim your confidence, courage and fortitude to shoot for your goals and dreams! We're all climbing a mountain of one sort or another. These treks require us to muster more strength than we think we have, more endurance than we think we can sustain and more awareness than
- [Praise is Yeast for Thanksgiving Bread](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2017/praise-yeast-thanksgiving-day-bread/) - Employees today are famished for encouragement and positive feedback, but few feel they receive it in abundance. To this, some say, "For goodness sake! Are we all getting soft in the middle? Do we always need a steady drip of 'good boy' or 'good girl' to feel professionally worthy and validated? Grow up!" While we
- [Podcasts / Radio Shows](https://ninaspencer.com/multi-media/podcasts-featuring-nina-spencer/)
- [In the News](https://ninaspencer.com/multi-media/nina-spencer-motivational-speaker-news/)
- [Getting Passion Out of Your Profession: How to keep loving your living...come what may](https://ninaspencer.com/books/passion-profession-loving-living/) - This book will help you rediscover and reclaim your passion for your profession! Getting Passion Out of Your Profession delivers a motivational, inspirational and content rich message that's relevant and topical, with a great sense of humor, and in a way that gets the reader's involvement and participants. Count on it, Nina Spencer delivers the
- [Working Wisdom](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/) - Working Wisdom is a free periodic electronic publication written by Nina Spencer, business keynote speaker, author and workshop facilitator. Working Wisdom focuses on tried and tested strategies, quick tips and easy-to-facilitate exercises for improved workplace communications and productivity. By all means, pass this publication along to anyone you feel will enjoy or benefit from it.
- [Watch Canadian Motivational Keynote Speaker and Best-selling Author, Nina Spencer](https://ninaspencer.com/multi-media/keynote-video-clips/motivational-keynote-video-clips/) - Nina Spencer talks about the purpose of her motivational keynote: Getting Passion Out of Your Profession: How to keep loving your living...come what may at William Osler Health System: Annual Staff Spring Rejuvenation Conference April 14, 2010. Nina Spencer: Passion Point 1: Practice Positive Thinking, Word Choice and Directives Motivational Keynote Speaker, Nina Spencer talks
- [Video Excerpts from Nina Spencer's Motivational Keynote: Getting Passion Out of Your Profession](https://ninaspencer.com/multi-media/keynote-video-clips/video-excerpts-motivational-presentation-passion-profession-canadian-motivational-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/) - About the motivational keynote presentation: Getting Passion Out of Your Profession by Nina Spencer. Presentation in 2011 to the Medical Pharmacies in Toronto, ON Canada. Excerpt from Canadian Motivational Speaker, Nina Spencer's 2011 Keynote Presentation to Medical Pharmacies in Toronto: Getting Passion Out of Your Profession. In this excerpt learn 3 ways people react to
- [TV Host, Daytime Toronto, Nina Spencer](https://ninaspencer.com/multi-media/keynote-video-clips/tv-host-daytime-toronto/) - How 'Three To Be' works for children with neurological disorders - daytime Toronto Host Nina Spencer chats with Amanda Jodoin, the Executive Director of Three To Be and Dana Florence, Founder and Director also of Three To Be. Three to Be is an organization that offers support and are looking to advance the development of
- [Video Clips](https://ninaspencer.com/multi-media/keynote-video-clips/)
- [Keynote Speaker Topics](https://ninaspencer.com/nina-spencer-business-keynote-speaker/motivational-keynote-speaker-topics/)
- [Canadian Female Motivational Keynote Speaker, Nina Spencer - Biography](https://ninaspencer.com/nina-spencer-business-keynote-speaker/canadian-female-motivational-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer-biography/) - Female Motivational Keynote Speaker, Nina Spencer Outstanding among Canadian motivational keynote speakers, Nina Spencer's keynote business addresses touches on themes of leadership, interpersonal communications, adjusting to change, skills for the future, respect for self and respect for others and finding passion in stressful times. She is energetic, enthusiastic and excels in the sphere of business
- [Dive In, The Water’s Great!: How You And Your Association Can Take Risks in 2017](https://ninaspencer.com/multi-media/nina-spencer-motivational-speaker-news/dive-waters-great-association-risks-2017/) - Reprinted from CSAE Trillium Chapter: http://csae-trillium.tv/dive-waters-great-association-can-take-risks-2017/ “If I always do what I’ve always done, I’ll always get what I’ve always got.” So said Henry Ford a century ago. Today, however, doing what you’ve always done might get you less. To get something different for your own career, and for the sake of your association’s health,
- [Hard work pays off](https://ninaspencer.com/multi-media/nina-spencer-motivational-speaker-news/hard-work-pays/) - By Tim Miller, The Intelligencer, Friday, October 28, 2016 While the room was full of remarkable women, Tracy Wright was the one named Quinte’s Remarkable Business Woman of the Year. Wright is the owner of Tender Loving Companion Care (TLCC), a homecare provider which helps those battling debilitating illnesses such as ALS, multiple sclerosis, muscular
- [Remarkable Business Women sought](https://ninaspencer.com/multi-media/nina-spencer-motivational-speaker-news/remarkable-business-women-sought/) - By Emily Mountney-Lessard, The Intelligencer, Tuesday, September 27, 2016 BELLEVILLE - The Intelligencer is once again looking to recognize the remarkable women of our community. The nominations for this year’s Remarkable Business Woman of the Year (previously known as Remarkable Woman) are open until this Friday, Sept. 30. This year, the award – sponsored by The Intelligencer
- [Best-selling author to speak at event](https://ninaspencer.com/multi-media/nina-spencer-motivational-speaker-news/selling-author-speak-event/) - By Emily Mountney-Lessard, The Intelligencer, Friday, October 14, 2016 A keynote speaker and best-selling author will be visiting the area to talk to business professionals on loving their work and getting passion from their profession. Nina Spencer is the speaker at this year’s Remarkable Business Woman of Quinte event. Speaking to The Intelligencer Friday, Spencer
- [Best-selling author, Nina Spencer to speak at Remarkable Business Woman of Quinte luncheon event](https://ninaspencer.com/multi-media/nina-spencer-motivational-speaker-news/selling-author-nina-spencer-speak-remarkable-business-woman-quinte-luncheon-event/) - A keynote speaker and best-selling author will be visiting the area to talk to business professionals on loving their work and getting passion from their profession. Nina Spencer is the speaker at this year’s Remarkable Business Woman of Quinte event. Speaking to The Intelligencer Friday, Spencer said her presentation will focus on five key points
- [Listening to others with heart](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2017/listening-heart/) - (A Special Valentine’s Day Edition of Working Wisdom) Most people do not listen with intent to understand; they listen with intent to reply. -- Stephen R. Covey The first duty of love is to listen. -- Paul Tillich "You can listen as well as you hear," so says the 1988 song "The Living Years," by
- [Dive In, The Water’s Great!: How You And Your Organization Can Take Risks in 2017](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2017/dive-waters-great-association-risks-2017/) - "If I always do what I've always done, I'll always get what I've always got." So said Henry Ford a century ago. Today, however, doing what you've always done might get you less. To get something different for your own career, and for the sake of your organization's health, in 2017, you've got to do
- [Nina Spencer on "This Week in America with Ric Bratton](https://ninaspencer.com/multi-media/podcasts-featuring-nina-spencer/nina-spencer-week-america-ric-bratton/) - TWIA: Nina Spencer "A Time To Creep, A Time To Soar" December 8, 2016 TWIA: Nina Spencer "Getting Passion Out of Your Profession" September 12, 2016
- [Nina Spencer on The Agenda in the Summer, Aug 16, 2016.](https://ninaspencer.com/multi-media/nina-spencer-motivational-speaker-news/feminized-mountain-thinking-kilimanjaro-gracious-goddess/) - 'We feminized the mountain, thinking of Kilimanjaro as a gracious goddess' The following is an excerpt from Nina Spencer’s book, A Time to Creep, A Time to Soar: Lessons Learned for Work and Life from Climbing Kilimanjaro. It describes the events that led to her mid-life decision to join a team of business women raising
- [It's Still Summer and August is a Terrific Month at Work to Implement These Sweet Sixteen Ideas...](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2016/summer-august-terrific-month-work-implement-sweet-sixteen-ideas/) - "It ain't over til it's over," or until some woman sings something! Right? Despite that Toronto's CNE/Canadian National Exhibition is about to begin (a sure harbinger for citizens of the Greater Toronto, at least, that summer is winding down), there are still over six full weeks of official summertime left to celebrate. Perhaps some of
- [Nina’s Four Part Interview  for 102.7 FM WisTle Radio on the topic of climbing Kilimanjaro...](https://ninaspencer.com/multi-media/keynote-video-clips/ninas-part-interview-102-7-fm-wistle-radio/) - Lessons learned, gleaned from corresponding book and keynote, A Time to Creep, A Time to Soar
- [45 Ways to Beat The (Workplace) Heat This Summer](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2016/45-ways-beat-workplace-heat-summer/) - Ah, those "dog days of summer" are almost upon us already! Where does that expression come from, anyway? Turns out it's from antiquity. The Great Dog constellation of Sirius occurs in the summer sky. "Sirius" comes from the Greek word seirios meaning "scorcher." According to the National Audubon Society Field Guide to the Night Sky,
- [Oh to Be Canadian! "Membership" Has its Privileges.](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2015/canadian-membership-privileges/) - There's something romantic about being Canadian. We're a relatively unpopulated, somewhat civilized and clean and resourceful country. I always push the fact that I'm Canadian. — k.d. Lang If it matters at all, it's because we know who we are. I'd never leave Canada. This is my home and I got to be everything I
- [What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2015/whats-call-rose-smell-sweet/) - Ah, this quintessential Shakespearean question challenging identity and labels (posed in Romeo and Juliet, Act II, Scene ii, 1-2). How does this quote metaphorically apply to the name labels we attach to workplace departments? Four decades ago we called a business' central administrative area, "Personnel"; then came Human Resources, and now many organizations have evolved
- [Five Professional "Outlaw" Gifts to Give Yourself in 2015](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2015/professional-outlaw-gifts-give-2015/) - Everyone who has begun the outlaw path knows the temptation to turn back and try to live in unconscious simplicity. ~ Sam Keen Ever felt as though you were an "outlaw"... out-of-step with your work colleagues? Ever felt as though you should have been doing something else for a living all along, but now it's
- [10 Strategies for Year-End Professional Relationship Building: It's the Little Things that Count!](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2014-2/10-strategies-year-professional-relationship-building-count/) - What might you regret doing or not doing this season if you defer once again? Who are some of the people with whom you'd like to reconnect, either in the workplace or elsewhere? What happiness can you bring to your year-end December days, as well as to the experience of others, both colleagues and clients
- [Playing 20 Questions with Yourself for Thanksgiving at Work](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2014-2/playing-20-questions-thanksgiving-work/) - Reflect on your present blessings, of which every man has many; not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some. -- Charles Dickens When I started counting my blessings, my whole life turned around. -- Willie Nelson, Musician and Singer Whether you celebrate Thanksgiving on the second Monday of October (Canadian-style), the last
- [Playing Twenty Questions with Yourself for Thanksgiving at Work](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2011/playing-twenty-questions-thanksgiving-work/) - "Reflect on your present blessings, of which every man has many; not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some." Charles Dickens "When I started counting my blessings, my whole life turned around." Willie Nelson, Musician and Singer Whether you celebrate Thanksgiving on the second Monday of October (Canadian-style), the last Thursday in
- [12 Workplace Practices to Make the Best of Autumn](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2014-2/12-workplace-practices-autumn/) - G'bye summer. Yes, it's true, summer's officially over now, but who are we kidding? We all know that once it's "back-to-school" -- whether or not it's been three or 30+ years since you had to do that -- summer's O-V-E-R! But, rejoice... perhaps now you can really get some "stuff" done around your workplace once
- [Information Radio 990 on CBC Radio One Winnipeg, Manitoba - Staying motivated at work in the dog-days of late summer](https://ninaspencer.com/multi-media/nina-spencer-motivational-speaker-news/information-radio-990-cbc-radio-winnipeg-manitoba-staying-motivated-work-dog-days-late-summer/) - In August 2002 and 2003 I wrote "Working Wisdoms" on how to make fun of the remains of summer. Last week, coincidentally, I gave two CBC radio interviews (to different Canadian cities), on how to make the best of the last of summer, even if your vacation is a done deal. I believe in riding
- [Five Lessons from Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro](https://ninaspencer.com/multi-media/nina-spencer-motivational-speaker-news/lessons-climbing-mount-kilimanjaro/) - Posted in Huffington Post, online August 20, 2014 by Anne Day, Founder, Company of Women http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/anne-day/kilimanjaro_b_2030775.html As Nina Spencer stood in her smart business suit and high heels, it seemed incongruous that she'd actually climbed Mount Kilimanjaro. But she did, and she came back changed by the experience. As she shared her story, with wonderful
- [Conflict Management and the Case of the Stacking Plates](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2014-2/conflict-management-case-stacking-plates/) - Twenty-five years ago my sixty year old father remarried. Although it's often difficult for young children to adjust to a "new" mummy or daddy, it was challenging for a thirty-two year old, too -- me! On my first "sleep over" visit, I tried my hardest to be agreeable and helpful around the house, shopping for
- [Work and Life Lessons Learned on The River Thames:](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2013/work-life-lessons-learned-river-thames/) - What situations in your work life and/or private life need a reframing of perspective? What do you bellyache about so much (at work or elsewhere) that you even bore yourself at times? Do you sometimes feel trapped by the "paralysis of analysis" of a dissatisfying situation, knowing that your perspective is, perhaps, an unhealthy one
- [December: A Time for Leadership in Action/Strategies for a Happy and Peaceful Year's End](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2013/december-time-leadership-actionstrategies-happy-peaceful-years/) - On the brilliant, unseasonably warm early afternoon of November 21st, 2003, I found myself travelling five hours homeward-bound along Ontario's Highway 401 from a speaking engagement near the Ontario-Quebec border. Since that weekday marked my father's 75th birthday, and since his chosen rural retirement community was located in that part of Eastern Ontario, I decided
- [The WOW Factor: Two Tales of Everyday Service Excellence and the Power of Pareto's Principle](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2009/wow-factor-tales-everyday-service-excellence-power-paretos-principle/) - Service to your clients is the rent you pay for working at your place of employment. It's the ultimate purpose of your job--not something you do in your spare time or when the going is easy. And relationship--earnestly relating to those whom consume your services--is the finest of service delivery systems. A recent Harvard Study
- [Getting Around To It: (Story 2)](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2009/story-2/) - The Importance of the Follow Through in Work and Life Wishes and dreams of what you might professionally do "one day" aren't goals until you take a little action. And those fledgling goals, born of a little action, don't grow up and truly manifest at work or elsewhere unless you persevere and believe. A dear
- [Practicing Random Acts of Kindness at Work and Elsewhere,  Now and in 2010](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2009/practicing-random-acts-kindness-work-2010/) - When I was 21 and just starting out in my first real job, I was employed by a large organization that was always swamped with work. There was too much work for too little employees to efficiently and effectively cover, but somehow we muddled through as best we could. Mostly, we were a hard working
- [Beating the Beckoning (Workplace) Blahs](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2009/beating-beckoning-workplace-blahs/) - So far it's been some kind of winter! Down under right now (where it's summer, however), a huge chunk of Australia is red with the worst of wildfires. In Canada, for the first time in over 20 years, you can fly coast-to-coast-to-coast and see nothin' but white! And everywhere, thanks to the continuing economic "doom
- [Lending A Generous Hand](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2009/lending-generous-hand/) - Last Sunday, while I was at the gas station, a woman locked herself out of her car--no, no, not me!. Her car was still running (purse and keys locked inside). A man offered to help her (he, coincidentally was a locksmith and had the means)...for $30.00!!! Overhearing this, and at the risk of sticking my
- [What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2009/whats-call-rose-smell-sweet/) - Ah, this quintessential Shakespearean question challenging identity and labels (posed in Romeo and Juliet, Act II, Scene ii, 1-2). How does this quote metaphorically apply to the name labels we attach to workplace departments? Three decades ago we called a business' central administrative area, Personnel; then came Human Resources, and now, many organizations have rightfully
- [Twenty-Five Ways for Dealing with Workplace Stress](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2009/twenty-ways-dealing-workplace-stress/) - What to do if you choose not to cut bait and run but, rather, hold fast and stick it out A couple of new studies have identified the alternative of switching to low stress jobs for workers who are overcome with the stresses of their current positions, particularly in this current economy. You could, perhaps,
- [The Courage to Speak Up At Work in Tenuous Times](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2009/courage-speak-work-tenuous-times/) - If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all. -- Mothers everywhere In the right key anything can be said. In the wrong key, nothing. The only delicate part is the establishment of the key. -- George Bernard Shaw To speak or not to speak? That is the question! Speaking up at work.
- [Looking Inward, Looking Outward, Looking Forward:](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2009/outward/) - Personal Reflections and Professional Resolutions for a More Positive and Satisfying Professional Experience in 2009...come what may. Ahhhh New Year's. As John Lennon once sang, "...and what have you done? Another year over and a new one just begun." What have you done in 2008? What's happened to you at work this past year? Despite
- [Holding a vision for your life and staying true to your heart's desire.](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2009/holding-vision-life-staying-true-hearts-desire/) - Marsha Sinetar's, Do what you love, the money will follow, is a great name for a book and a great professional philosophy to embrace, as well. Too bad I didn't appreciate that premise sooner in my own life--but better late than never. Because of my advocacy for this latter day personal perspective, as a mother,
- [Harnessing Serendipity at Work (and Elsewhere), This Summer and Always](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2009/harnessing-serendipity-work-summer/) - ...you don't reach Serendip by plotting a course for it. You have to set out in good faith for elsewhere and lose your bearings...serendipitously. -- John Barth, The Last Voyage of Somebody the Sailor Think back to the events leading up to securing your first professional position (or, for that matter, an important personal or
- [What's Luck Got To Do With it?  How to get lucky at work and elsewhere](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2008/whats-luck-lucky-work-2/) - "Some guys have all the luck...some guys have all the pain", so says Rod Stewart in his song entitled the same. Why is it that some people do seem luckier than others? Why is it that some of those "nice guys" really do seem to finish last? Karma? Destiny? Luck? Believe it or not, feeling
- [Redefining](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2008/redefining/) - (condensed and modified from Nina's book, Getting Passion Out of Your Profession: How to keep loving your living...come what may) Redefining professional "success" is an excellent strategy to help see you through professionally blue periods, uncertain workplace stretches, eg. due to large scale organizational change, downturns in your organization's marketplace/economy or being passed over for
- [Learning is a lot like fruit...when you're green you're growing, when you're ripe you rot, and when you're blue, you're through!](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2008/learning-lot-fruit-youre-green-youre-growing-youre-ripe-rot-youre-blue-youre/) - Strategies for Getting the Most Out of Conferences and Other Professional Development Experiences You Attend in the Balance of 2008 "Education forms the common mind. Just as the twig is bent, the tree's inclined." Alexander Pope "Lifelong learning (for all employees) helps form a focused organization. Just as the employee is professional developed, the organization's
- [The Charisma Count:](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2007/charisma-count/) - An important trait for enhancing workplace rapport and trust (excerpted and modified from Nina's book, Getting Passion Out of Your Profession: How to keep loving your living...come what may) I told my psychiatrist that everyone hates me. He said I was being ridiculous--everyone hasn't met me yet.-- Rodney Dangerfield How likeable are you? What is
- [Five Professional "Outlaw" Gifts to Give Yourself in 2007](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2007/professional-outlaw-gifts-give-2007/) - Everyone who has begun the outlaw path knows the temptation to turn back and try to live in unconscious simplicity. --Sam Keen Ever felt as though you were an "outlaw"...out-of-step with your work colleagues? Ever felt as though you should have been doing something else for a living all along, but now it's too late...the
- [December: A Time for Leadership in Action](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2007/december-time-leadership-action/) - On the brilliant, unseasonably warm early afternoon of November 21st, 2003, I found myself travelling 5 hours homeward-bound along Ontario's Highway 401 from a speaking engagement near the Ontario-Quebec border. Since that weekday marked my father's 75th birthday, and since his chosen rural retirement community was located in that part of Eastern Ontario, I decided
- [The Sanjaya Factor](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2007/sanjaya-factor/) - What is it? Well here's one of my dirty-little secrets...I watch American Idol. Yup--Religiously. It started off as something that my daughter and I could sit down together and watch and have a laugh and be entertained, chat, etc. And then she got bored and abandoned ship (weeks and weeks ago). What became of me?
- [The Party's over: Back to School/Back to Business](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2007/partys-schoolback-business/) - G'bye summer. Yes, it's true, summer's not really over until September 21st but who're we kidding? We all know that once it's "back-to-school"--whether or not it's been 3 or 30 years since you had to do that--summer's O-V-E-R! But, rejoice...perhaps now you can get really get some "stuff" done around your workplace once again...receive timely
- [Workplace Lessons from the Freeway and Beyond](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2007/workplace-lessons-freeway/) - Two roads diverged in a wood, and I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference. --Robert Frost I just returned home from a road-trip speaking engagement in the Ottawa Valley--helping the fine nursing professionals of Renfrew County celebrate Nurses' Week. Wow! What a terrific group...and what a fabulous journey,
- [Appreciating Staff, Colleagues and <i>Yourself!</i>](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2007/appreciating-staff-colleagues/) - Flatter me, and I may not believe you. Criticize me, and I may not like you. Ignore me, and I may not forgive you. Encourage me, and I may not forget you. -- William Arthur I'm turning the big 5-0 in December and have spent this whole past year declaring, "I'm 50, I'm 50", when,
- [A Time to Creep, A Time to Soar: Lessons learned for work and life from climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2013/time-creep-time-soar-lessons-learned-work-life-climbing-mt-kilimanjaro/) - One can never consent to creep when one feels an impulse to soar. -- Helen Keller My second book--nearing completion/now in manuscript form and due out in the spring of 2014--is entitled: A Time to Creep, A Time to Soar: Lessons learned for work and life from climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro. In addition to becoming my
- [Appreciating Staff, Colleagues and Yourself!](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2013/appreciating-staff-colleagues/) - Singer/song-writer, Joni Mitchell said--in her Big Yellow Taxi song, circa 1970--"Don't it always seem to go, that you don't know what you've got till it's gone." At work (and elsewhere) we can spend so much time lamenting the "good old days", or looking towards the future with grand hope and expectations, that we fail to
- [Workplace Lessons from the Freeway and Beyond](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2013/workplace-lessons-freeway-2/) - Two roads diverged in a wood, and I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference. -- Robert Frost I just returned home recently from a road-trip speaking engagement in the Ottawa Valley. Wow! What a terrific group...and what a fabulous journey, too! Since reaching my client's location was a
- [45 Ways to Beat The Summertime](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2005/45-ways-beat-summertime/) - Ah, the "dog days of summer"! Where does that expression come from, anyway??? Turns out it's from antiquity. The Great Dog constellation of Sirius occurs in the summer sky. "Sirius" comes from the Greek word seirios meaning "scorcher". According to the National Audubon Society Field Guide to the Night Sky, as this dog constellation is
- [Mend Your Speech a Little, Lest it May Mar Your Fortunes](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2005/mend-speech-mar-fortunes/) - It's that time of year again... summer (at least in the northern hemisphere) has given way to autumn and most everyone has now heeded the call to "get back to proper work". Time, again, for strategic planning, new projects, new launches, renewed commitment to professional development and attending company/organization and association meetings. Such events often
- [12 Strategies for Getting Through the 12 Days Before The Holidays:](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2005/12-strategies-12-days-holidays/) - Deep in December it's nice to remember... Ahhh December. It's here yet again and speeding right along! Normally, as you know, I share only my own pearls of "Working Wisdom" with you, dear reader, but this particular month it's my heart's desire to bring you a "half-and-half" edition of "Working Wisdom", as we bring 2005
- [Accentuate the Positive](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2005/accentuate-positive/) - "You've got to ac-cent-tchu-ate the positive and e-lim-minate the negative and latch on to the affirmative; don't mess with Mr. In-between", so croons the timeless song and message from the 1944 Bing Crosby, Betty Hutton classic Hollywood musical, "Here Come the Waves". Cute in a song lyric, trickier in life--especially at work! The rest of
- [The Gates to Spring: 20 Brilliant Ideas for Beating February Workplace Blahs](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2005/gates-spring-20-brilliant-ideas-beating-february-workplace-blahs/) - My first reaction was, "I don't believe this! This project cost how much and for how many days??? It's so ugly--so 70's." Then it started to grow on me. I saw the beauty. The fun. The urgency to get on board now and enjoy the symbolism of what it offers (especially at this time of
- [I Love Gems: Going the Extra Mile on Service](https://ninaspencer.com/nina-spencer-business-keynote-speaker/motivational-keynote-speaker-topics/love-gems-extra-mile-service/) - "Quality Customer Service" and "Service Excellence" are phrases and themes that we've all heard for at least two decades. Organizations have asked their employees to "get it", and demonstrate it, whether employees were ready or not (and whether they were inspired or not)! Some employees haven't been able to "see" that if they provide a
- [Nina Spencer, Canadian motivational speaker and best-selling canadian author, presents her highly regarded keynote topic, 'Getting Passion Out of Your Profession](https://ninaspencer.com/nina-spencer-business-keynote-speaker/motivational-keynote-speaker-topics/nina-spencer-canadian-motivational-speaker-selling-canadian-author-presents-highly-regarded-keynote-topic-passion-profession/) - Remember when you Got the Job!? When YOU were the one selected for that coveted position? It was a cause for celebration! Who did you call? How did you celebrate your wonderful news, that very day? What happened? The first bloom of excitement and passion for a new position, can easily slip away. Can the
- [Positive Thinking: Attitude Is Everything](https://ninaspencer.com/nina-spencer-business-keynote-speaker/motivational-keynote-speaker-topics/positive-thinking-attitude/) - There's only one thing more contagious than Enthusiasm... and that's the lack of it!! Get an opportunity to take a "pulse rate fitness test" on "where you are at" about your attitude towards your work and your life! Learn how your thinking helps or hinders your sense of sanity, security and serenity. Take away concrete,
- [Skills for Every Professional's Future](https://ninaspencer.com/nina-spencer-business-keynote-speaker/motivational-keynote-speaker-topics/skills-professionals-future/) - "It's a small world!" is no longer just a phrase for coincidences between people. The "Global Village" is a reality, and the way we do business and communicate, professionally and personally, is evolving! To stay in the loop in the 21st century requires focus on skills which promote self-management, self-awareness, inter-personal communication and respect for
- [What to Do About That Fork in the Road](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-archive/about-fork-road/) - Yogi Berra once said, "When you come to a fork in the road...take it!". Many people come to the point where they hesitate about which way to go, now, with the rest of their working life. Such a dilemma may occur due to yet another organizational downsizing, or merely due to a professional "midlife crisis"
- [Control the Controllable...](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-archive/control-controllable/) - As for the rest, wear a bulletproof vest Do you control your own destiny or, as the ancient Greeks would have you believe, is it all up to the Fates? How much do you get to decide about what happens politically and emotionally in your work environment? Have you ever found yourself secretly (or not
- [Fuel for the journey ahead](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-archive/fuel-journey/) - Finding passion, courage, and chutzpah in times of more uncertainty and change. Are you getting passion out of your profession? If you won the "big lottery", what profession would you choose? Your current position? Or would you say, "So long, it's been grand", and head for an extended vacation? When I ask my audiences this
- [It takes TWO to see ONE!](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-archive/takes/) - The Art of Giving and Receiving Feedback "O' wad some poower the giftie gi'e us, tae see o'orsels as ithers see us." Rabbie Burns I've always found this passage by the beloved Scottish poet, Robert Burns, to be so profoundly true! Thanks to a dear Scottish friend, I am able to provide you with the
- [It's not about work, it's about people!](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-archive/about-work-about-people/) - After delivering a keynote for a client a few years ago, I drove home a way I hadn't gone in 20 years. Nostalgia welled up in me as I went by my old high school, and then, my heart sank. A well loved teacher had passed away, and the farewell was posted outside the school.
- [It's only words...Part 2](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-archive/words-part-2/) - Answers to the Negative to Positive Sentences Exercise from Nina's Article: "It's Only Words", December 10, 2001 1. I can do something about this once I have talked with our V.P. of Human Resources. Always say what you can do, when, rather than what you cannot do. 2. Have I got you at a good
- [It's only words? Part 1](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-archive/words-part-1/) - Mastering positive alternatives to negative messages To increase your happiness and satisfaction at work and in life it helps to come from positive/abundance thinking instead of disparity/have not thinking. What is the difference between Abundance and Disparity Thinking? Abundance thinking is thinking that knows that there is enough to go around...it's just a matter of
- [Make em' laugh, make em' laugh, make em' laugh!](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-archive/em-laugh-em-laugh-em-laugh/) - Increase Team Bonding with Humour and Being "Real" "The shortest distance between two people is a smile", according to Pianist/Comedian Victor Borge. That distance can be reduced even further when people laugh together. Think back to the last time you had a good "belly laugh" with colleagues, at work. Hard to remember? Whether it was
- [SMART Goals for Work/Life Balance in 2002](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-archive/smart-goals-worklife-balance-2002/) - Our lives work in direct proportion to the commitments we make and keep. The "making" is the easy part...the "keeping" is harder! The two most popular times of year to make new commitments are the day after Labour Day (in September) and the month of January. Since last autumn, I've noticed a significant increase in
- [Surviving Those Mid-Summer, Post Vacation Blahs: August is a Peach of a Month to...](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-archive/surviving-mid-summer-post-vacation-blahs-august-peach-month/) - For some, another week or two of vacation is still in the cards but, for many, summer holidays are already a memory. Yet, technically the middle of summer only just occurred at 5:10 p.m. on August 6th! So you still do have a few good weeks to experience that wonderful summertime lightheartedness. Even if you
- [Like it or not...likability counts!](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-archive/likability-counts/) - George Bernard Shaw suggested, "In the right key anything can be said. In the wrong key, nothing. The only delicate part is the establishment of the key." Think of those "charmed" people you know, who can get away with comments that are eyebrow raising, outrageous or politically provocative, all the while with a smile on
- [Thanksgiving at Work: September is the right month, after all!](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-archive/thanksgiving-work-september-month/) - This year especially, September is a fine month to count your workplace blessings. As summer slips away, and the last of its long weekends, as well, many employees are asking "How long until the next long weekend?" In Canada, it's only five more weeks until our official Thanksgiving long weekend. Whether you observe a time
- [Be an Intrapreneurial Networking Master](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2003/intrapreneurial-networking-master/) - "It's not what you know, but who you know", still rings true in many organizations today, but, what's more is, "It's not what you know, or who you know, but who knows you, and who knows that you know what you know"--you know? Organizations have championed the value and importance of teamwork for over a
- [Are you: In the company of Strangers?](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2003/company-strangers/) - Playing your cards close to your chest, and maintaining a poker face, while subscribing to a Star Trek "shields up!" mentality, may be dangerous to your workplace satisfaction and success. Why do some people insist on going it alone at all times and at all costs? Why do some people feel that being "professional" means
- [Chop Wood, Carry Water](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2003/chop-wood-carry-water/) - The ice storms of early April (at least in Eastern Canada), the international worries of a nasty virus and the war in Iraq have been consuming our thoughts for at least the past week or two; many have found that this "triple whammy" has effected their focus and workplace productivity. Even so, the woes of
- [Embracing New Perspectives for the Unofficial](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2003/embracing-perspectives-unofficial/) - My first adult style "hit" of the power of perspective and perception occurred to me years ago while reading one of my second year university psychology textbooks. The reader was asked to read the following three sentences (each encased in individual triangles): Go ahead. Re-read them, aloud, for yourself. If you're like most people you
- [Fighting for Your Monday Morning Heart-Break](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2003/fighting-monday-morning-heart-break-2/) - "One-third of employees loathe their jobs", reads the headline of a concerning article in the January 28th, 2003, edition of Canada's national newspaper, The Globe and Mail (Report on Business Section), reporting on a new Towers Perrin study of 1,100 employees, polled across Canada and the United States. Employees cited "boredom, overwork, concern about their
- [It's still summer and "August is a terrific month at work to..."](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2003/summer-august-terrific-month-work/) - "It ain't over til it's over", or until some woman sings something! Right? There are still over five full weeks of official summertime to celebrate. Perhaps some of your vacation time is still in front of you, and you're still singing Nat King Cole's song about rolling out those "lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer",
- [Survivor Workplace](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2003/survivor-workplace/) - The average person experiences more stimulus, potential danger and conflict during their commute to work, than a farmer did, working his fields 100 years ago, over an entire month! Now that's survivor instinct! These days the word "survivor" conjures up many images, from a bunch of people in "reality" TV shows, to cancer patients who
- [Taking Risk in 2003: Dive In, The Water's Great!](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2003/risk-2003-dive-waters-great/) - "If I always do what I've always done, I'll always get what I've always got!" I first heard this quote (unfortunately without accreditation) back in 1990. Today, doing what you've always done might not even get you what you've always got&it might get you less! To get something different, you've got to do something different!
- [15 strategies to fa la la la la, la la, la la](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-archive/15-strategies-fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la/) - These 15 days at work, before Christmas, can be taxing or terrific, depending on the seasonal demands of your job and within your organization. For some, this is the slow season; for others, this is panic time. Regardless, it is December. Here's hoping that these 15 Festive Strategies, for the next 15 festive days, will
- [March Forth in Leading Today's Knowledge Workers](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2003/march-leading-todays-knowledge-workers/) - Paereto's Principle keeps on having its applications. At the turn of 20th century it is said that 80% of all jobs were in manufacturing and only 20% were in services. Today that old 80/20 rule still applies&but in reverse! We've all read the quotes and heard the statistics about change occurring faster and faster. We
- [Recovering from Acronymitis and Business Speak](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2003/recovering-acronymitis-business-speak/) - Organizations are suffering from "Acronymitis" and "Business Speak"--inflammation (or expansion) of acronyms and jargon. There has been heightened awareness, and some lip service, to pulling back on acronymitis and business speak in communications, but it still exits to such a degree that many organizations publish an internal book of company acronyms, which they toss to
- [April holds Working Wisdom for Administrative Office Professionals Everywhere!](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-archive/april-holds-working-wisdom-administrative-office-professionals/) - A Rose is a Rose is A Rose? The Difference Between "Secretary" and "Office Professional" and Why these Anchors Need Continuous Professional Development "The successful candidate must: maintain a positive attitude, work with people at all levels, use time effectively, take action on management priorities, take initiative, recruit, select and train staff, be dedicated to
- [Attitude, Desserts and The New Normal](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-archive/attitude-desserts-normal/) - Do you know what the links are between attitude, desserts and living in the "new normal"? A Globe and Mail/CTV/Ipsos-Reid Poll created a flurry of Stress articles in our October, 2001 newspapers. You may remember headlines such as: "Work Life Stress Mounting for Canadians" "Canadians Feeling Weight of the World" "Tension between Work and Home
- [Cheerleading Yourself and Your Team](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-archive/cheerleading-team/) - Recognizing and Acknowledging Your Positive Results Most of us, both personally and professionally, are nice guys. Do you believe that? Most of us are hard workers who pull our own weight, and are rather humble about our competencies and contributions (and assume that humility is the right way to think about ourselves). Whether or not
- [Work with Spirit](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2003/work-spirit-2/) - On a perfect spring evening, while watching my nine year old daughter's baseball game, my 68 year old mother was at home sipping her last cup of coffee. She was in good health on Wednesday, May 29,1996. She loved her independence, knew the art of living alone without being lonely, went out, loved her books,
- [Podiums are Poisonous and Lecterns are Lethal](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2004/podiums-poisonous-lecterns-lethal/) - "Lecterns have one reason for being: They hold up the speaker's script. Sometimes they also hold up the speaker.", says Ron Hoff in his presentations skills book, "I Can See You Naked". My copy is a banged up, dogged eared, sticky papered second edition from 1992. It's well worth the read, whether you are an
- [50 ways to make the most of the last of summer...even if you <i>are</i> back-to-work!](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2004/50-ways-summer-work/) - People have been talking about "vacations" since the word (originally from the Olde English spelling, "vacacioun") made its debut in 1395 in the famed Canterbury Tales--this, according to the Chambers Dictionary of Etymology. Its original meaning..."rest and freedom from any activity". Funny how some concepts never change, even if the spellings do. Although your vacation,
- [April 2004 Working Wisdom for Administrative Office Professionals Everywhere!](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2004/april-2004-working-wisdom-administrative-office-professionals/) - A Rose is a Rose is A Rose? The Difference Between "Secretary" and "Office Professional" and Why these Anchors Need Continuous Professional Development "The successful candidate must: maintain a positive attitude, work with people at all levels, use time effectively, take action on management priorities, take initiative, recruit, select and train staff, be dedicated to
- [Bring Your Voice to Life...and Work:](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2004/bring-voice-life-work/) - It's important to have a voice; it's more important to use it well and with respect Your voice is your calling card. It represents you when you're present...and even when you're not (eg. by way of voice mail, video, other recordings). Your voice either reinforces your message or stands in the way of putting your
- [Conflict Management and the Case of the Stacking Plates](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2004/conflict-management-case-stacking-plates/) - Fifteen years ago my sixty year old father remarried. Although it's often difficult for young children to adjust to a "new" mummy or daddy, it was challenging for a thirty-two year old, too--me! On my first "sleep over" visit, I tried my darnedest to be agreeable and helpful around the house, shopping for groceries, peeling
- [Following the Leader](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2004/leader/) - You may be leading in theory, and with positional power, but, in actuality, if they're not following whom are you leading? Have you ever been walking along with a friend or family member, blithely chattering away, only to discover that you lost them several feet back? You'd been talking to yourself for at least two
- [Life is Stranger (and often more educational) than Training Fiction](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2004/life-stranger-educational-training-fiction/) - There's richness in private life from which to draw business wisdom. When it comes to customer service, it's easy for me to recollect a classic scenario my daughter and I experienced when visiting our English family for the first time, in 1998. They hosted a "brilliantly smashing" visit; we crammed a phenomenal amount into everyday.
- [Listening to others with heart](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2004/listening-heart/) - "You can listen as well as you hear", so says the song "The Living Years", by Mike and The Mechanics. But can we? Do we...day-in and day-out? Can most of us do better, when it comes to honest-to-goodness listening? How about yourself? Do you see the links between your personal sense of leadership, your ability
- [Speaking of professional development in 2004...](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2004/speaking-professional-development-2004/) - It's that time of year again... if you, your department or whole organization champion professional development for in-house staff or association members, January is often the month where you may think, "I thought I/we had lots of time to pull our event(s) together! Where ever did all the time go? Now I feel panicky--like a
- [A Valentine's Day Working Wisdom Special Announcement and Edition](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2006/valentines-day-working-wisdom-special-announcement-edition/) - I have just, this very Valentine's Day morning, officially launched my new book, Getting Passion Out of Your Profession: How to keep loving your living...come what may! Below is an excerpt from Getting Passion...offered as a Working Wisdom Valentine's Day special. Enjoy! To order Nina's new book for yourself, your team, colleagues, friends or family,
- [Know Your Professional Self-Worth](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2006/professional-worth/) - I have just, this past Valentine's Day, officially launched my new book, Getting Passion Out of Your Profession: How to keep loving your living...come what may! Below is an excerpt from Getting Passion...offered as March's installment of Working Wisdom special. Enjoy!To order Getting Passion Out of Your Profession: How to keep loving your living...come what
- [Perpetuate Relationships/Grow Your Professional Networks](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2006/perpetuate-relationshipsgrow-professional-networks/) - An abridged excerpt from my new book, Getting Passion Out of Your Profession: How to keep loving your living come what may... Strange is our situation here upon earth. Each of us comes for a short visit, not knowing why, yet sometimes seeming to a divine purpose. From the standpoint of daily life, however, there
- [The Big Value of Small Talk:](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2006/big-small-talk/) - Tips for making conversation at annual association conferences, company meetings or just about anywhere! Chase's famous Calendar of Events tells us that June is, among other things, Effective Communications Month. Great! So how does that relate to small talk? Well, June is also a "biggie" month for annual conferences, company meetings and the likes--events where
- [The Falling Down, The Getting Up and The Quick Thinking Along the Way](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2006/falling-quick-thinking/) - At the March 5, 2006 Academy Awards Show, as Jennifer Garner gracefully approached the podium, her long flowing party frock got the better of her; she slipped, stumbled and slipped yet again. Millions of viewers must have gasped in unison (I know my daughter and I did). Somehow Ms. Garner managed to think quick and,
- [The Soft Stuff is The Hard Stuff:](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2005/soft-stuff-hard-stuff/) - The Importance of Personal Power in Leadership Who was the best boss you ever worked for and why? What made him or her different from the rest? Why would you have gone more than just the extra mile for them? One word probably answers all--inspiration. Employees are starved for leadership that inspires, especially during uncertain
- [Beating the February Blahs with a Sweeter Focus on Service Excellence](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2008/beating-february-blahs-sweeter-focus-service-excellence/) - Enough already! Enough of this February in the upper latitudes of the northern hemisphere! Yes, yes, I realize that Working Wisdom is read by people from as far away (from me) as Australia and Africa and that, therefore, some of you dear readers may not relate, however, from where I sit--literally and metaphorically--I am now
- [Giving Thanks at Work: Good News, Bad News; Who can tell?](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2008/giving-work-good-news-bad-news-tell-2/) - Reflect on your present (workplace) blessings, of which every person has many; not on your past misfortunes, of which all people have some. -- (modified from) Charles Dickens When I started counting my blessings, my whole life turned around. -- Willie Nelson, Musician and Singer A Parable: One mid-autumn day a farmer's neighbour passed away
- [Employee/Manager Relations: What Really Matters](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2010/employeemanager-relations-matters/) - It doesn't matter what you know, unless you know what really matters.-- Dr. Tim Elmore My 23 year old niece, Elizabeth, has now logged a blissful 6 months in her first real, fulltime, post-university position and has worked hard at doing all she could to accelerate her comfort with her new colleagues, and win their
- [Praise is Yeast for Thanksgiving Bread](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2010/praise-yeast-thanksgiving-bread/) - Employees today are famished for encouragement and positive feedback, but few feel they receive it. To this, some say, "For goodness sake! Are we all getting soft in the middle? Do we always need a steady drip of 'good boy' or 'good girl' to feel professionally worthy and validated? Grow up!". While we don't need
- [Risk Taking in 2010: Dive In, The Water's Great!](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2010/risk-2010-dive-waters-great/) - Are you placing enough interesting, freakish, long shot, weirdo bets? -- Tom Peters "If I always do what I've always done, I'll always get what I've always got!" I first heard this saying (accredited to the founder of McDonalds, Ray Croc) back in 1990. Today, doing what you've always done might not even get you
- [A Deuce Delight!: Serving Excellence, Serving History](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2012/deuce-delight-serving-excellence-serving-history/) - Tennis great Roger Federer challenged up-and-coming threat Andy Murray this past July 8th to win the pièce de résistance of any professional tennis season--Wimbledon. But this win wasn't just any Wimbledon win and this pitting of pros at tennis' most prestigious showcase wasn't just any match up. For enthusiasts, and even fair-weather and Johnny-come-lately fans,
- [Fighting for Your Monday Morning Heart-Break](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2012/fighting-monday-morning-heart-break/) - One-third of employees loathe their jobs according to a Towers Perrin study of 1,100 employees polled across Canada and the United States. Employees cited boredom, overwork, concern about their future and a lack of support and recognition from their bosses as key reasons for their unhappiness. And to many, Monday mornings are the worst part
- [14 Strategies for Successfully Moving Through This Time of the Rolling Year](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2011/14-strategies-successfully-moving-time-rolling-year/) - At this time of the rolling year I suffer most. Jacob Marley, from Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol These last days at work, before Christmas break, can be taxing or terrific, depending on the demands of your job. For some, this is slow season; for others, panic time abounds. Regardless, we're deep in December and
- [A Time to Creep, A Time to Soar:](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2011/time-creep-time-soar/) - Earliest Insights from Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro One can never consent to creep when one feels an impulse to soar. -- Helen Keller "That's like doing a Ph.D. before graduating high school!" "No matter how much you prepare, it won't be enough!" "Is this something you've wanted to do all your life--a bucket-list thing? If so,
- [A Heart of Service and Kindness, for the Workplace, for Life, Just When We Need it Most...In February (and Just in Time for Valentine's Day!)](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2010/heart-service-kindness-workplace-life-february-time-valentines-day/) - I always felt that November and February should have been cancelled due to general "ugliness"...case study in brown or gray...yuck. When I was foot loose & fancy free (at the airline), I used to go away for both months to someplace lovely to avoid the whole thing. --Diane Fotheringham, a dear friend Indeed, Diane. February
- [A Trail To Remember...](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2010/trail-remember/) - ...or, How I Almost Got Caught "With My Pants Down"! With my Mt. Kilimanjaro departure only three weeks away now, I've stepped up hiking (no pun intended). I'm "out there" regularly, despite these unseasonable cold temperatures here in southern Ontario. Makes for great training for the summit day and, thankfully, also seems to make for
- [Climbing Your "Mountain" in the balance of 2010 and Beyond](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2010/climbing-mountain-balance-2010/) - "Climb every mountain. Ford every stream. Follow every rainbow, 'til you find your dream". These are the words that Maria's Mother Superior sang in the 1965 film, The Sound of Music. Funny, when we were kids, it's the only song from that movie (and record album) that we all hated. We'd lift the needle of
- [Working Your Circle Of Influence...No Matter What](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-circle-influence-matter/) - We've heard it before.. change initiatives, like shifting to a learning organization, can only succeed with "top down support!". What do you do if you are middle or frontline management, you clearly see ways to improve morale, productivity, employee satisfaction, etc., but, you can't get senior management on side? Do you choose to give up
- [Taming That Angry Tiger: Keep Your Cool This Summer...and all the seasons to follow!](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2013/taming-angry-tiger-cool-summer-seasons-follow/) - Don't permit yourself to show temper. Always remember that if you are right you can afford to keep your temper, and if you are wrong you cannot afford to lose it! -- J. J. Reynolds Have you ever been fuming angry at work? Have your ever been so angry at a colleague or client that,
- [Autumn is a Perfect Time for Reclaiming Your Professional Passion](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2012/autumn-perfect-time-reclaiming-professional-passion/) - Watch BizTV and lean how to "Protect Your Sense of Humour with Nina Spencer" "If I get downsized, laid off or declared redundant, who else out there is going to hire me? Where else will I find this level of work, with this kind of salary? I'm a victim of the 'golden handcuffs' and I
- [I invite you to view my fourth of five (3 minute) guest spots-this one on, Shifting Perspective on Biz TV Canada.](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2012/invite-view-fourth-3-minute-guest-spots-shifting-perspective-biz-tv-canada/) - "Shifting Perspective" "Practice the Power of Positive Words and Communication" "Acknowledge Your Professional and Personal Contributions" "How to Protect Your Sense of Humour" As well, if you missed or care to revisit my other shows, I've listed those too for you. Please feel free to forward this most recent show (and the others, as well,
- [December: A Time for Leadership in Action](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2012/december-time-leadership-action-2/) - On the brilliant, unseasonably warm early afternoon of November 21st, 2003, I found myself travelling 5 hours homeward-bound along Ontario's Highway 401 from a speaking engagement near the Ontario-Quebec border. Since that weekday marked my father's 75th birthday, and since his chosen rural retirement community was located in that part of Eastern Ontario, I decided
- [A Deuce Delight x Deux (With the Luck of Sevens Thrown in for Good Measure!)](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/working-wisdom-2014/working-wisdom-2013/deuce-delight-deux-luck-sevens-thrown-good-measure/) - "If at first you don't succeed, try, try again." "Never, never, never give up." Winston Churchill What a difference a year makes! UK's Andy Murray never gave up, indeed. After losing Wimbledon to Roger Federer in July 2012, Murray went on to capture Olympic gold, the US Open and finally, yesterday, the sweetness of a
- [Intrapreneurial Networking Masters](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/intrapreneurial-networking-masters/) - Organizations have embraced teamwork for the last decade. Now comes the importance of recognizing the art of internal and "on purpose" networking. Many people think networking is an on-the-side, personal activity for career pathing beyond their current organization, but employee dedication to broadening personal influence and wisdom, while still with their company, is essential for
- [It Only Takes One to Improve Office Communications](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/takes-improve-office-communications/) - I recently attended a dinner party where I observed a situation common to workplace communications. Most of us were meeting for the first time so our host worked hard to provocatively bring us together in conversation but he often responded to others' comments with, "that's the wrong thing to say...the right thing is....", and, "you
- [Leading Knowledge Workers in the 21st Century](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/leading-knowledge-workers-21st-century/) - Paereto's Principle keeps on having applications. At the turn of 20th century it is said that 80% of all jobs were in manufacturing and only 20% were in services. Today that old 80/20 rule still applies....but in reverse. We've all read the quotes and heard the statistics about change being faster than it has ever
- [Moving Beyond Fairweather Leadership](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/moving-fairweather-leadership/) - My intuition has been nagging me to write on leadership. This topic, although not new, has been in great demand by my clients. They want to be reminded of what they already know and newly educated about what they think they don't know (and maybe they don't, but I think it's more a case of
- [Old Models Are Still in Fashion!](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/models-fashion/) - There are scads of models (business ones, that is!) explaining the way things are, or pointing the way ahead. Even after a long time in the business of organizational behaviour, one can still find "new" models. Some of these "new" models are the old "tried and true". A powerful and enthusiastic body of research was
- [Promises, Promises:  Moving Beyond the Lip Service of Continuous Improvement](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/promises-promises-moving-lip-service-continuous-improvement/) - What's it going to be? "No time's a good time" or, "There's no time like the present"? Usually when someone says "something happened to a friend of a friend of mine", we suspect they're talking about themselves or about some organizational myth—like an urban myth but, I really do have something to share that happened
- [Recovering from Accronymitis and Business Speak](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/recovering-accronymitis-business-speak/) - What stamina technical trainers have, and such a profoundly good memory for holding and disseminating scads of ever changing acronyms, organizational jargon and information! I started in organizational development in the mid 1980's as a technical trainer. I trained employees to perform effectively and efficiently in their new job functions, in gruelling 10 to 12
- [Spirituality At Work](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/spirituality-work/) - If you mentioned spirituality ten years ago colleagues would've smiled politely or snickered. You'd have been labelled "the Shirley Maclaine of the office". Traditionally, spirituality was living up to the values and expectations of religion but today there are many people who practice spirituality that don't embrace organized religion. Spirituality in today's world may include
- [The Learning Organization: Pie in the Sky or Possibility?](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/learning-organization-pie-sky-possibility/) - "Learning organization" values will have far reaching implications for organizations in the 21st century. Being against the "Learning Organization" is like being against motherhood. It's difficult to imagine an organization consciously saying, "we don't want our people to personally or professionally develop". So many companies are exploring how to turn their employees into "I love
- [The Soft Stuff is The Hard Stuff:The Importance of Personal Power in Leadership](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/soft-stuff-hard-stuffthe-importance-personal-power-leadership/) - Employees are starving for leadership that "inspires". Our organizations will have a better probability of successful transitions if positional leaders grow their personal power. Who says if titled leaders wield personal power? The Followers. Many leaders think they possess personal power if they believe they do but, that's not the case. Personal power is the
- [The Spirit of the Visioning Process](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/spirit-visioning-process/) - Organizations spend a lot of time developing vision and mission statements. Do they work? What exactly is the difference between them anyway? Mission is the overall guiding direction of how an organization will work towards its vision. Vision is the articulated powerful and preferred "future state" image of where the organization wants to be. The
- [Media Centre](https://ninaspencer.com/multi-media/nina-spencer-motivational-speaker-news/media-centre/) - Media Centre Passion in the Workplace: How to keep loving your living...come what may February 7, 2006, Toronto - If we don't love what we do, and the company and the people we do it for and with, the personal and professional cost could be a broken heart. Nina Spencer, Canadian motivational keynote speaker and
- [Burlington Post - Does your boss suffer from HDS?](https://ninaspencer.com/multi-media/nina-spencer-motivational-speaker-news/burlington-post-boss-suffer-hds/) - By PAUL MITCHISONBurlington Post / June 14, 2002 Nina Spencer likes to refer to it as HDS, or Humour Deficiency Syndrome -- the overly-serious person at the office who seldom smiles and never seems to laugh. A colleague or a boss with HDS can make working life difficult to bear. Energy and enthusiasm levels are
- [Chatelaine Magazine - Presenting the motherhood quilt](https://ninaspencer.com/multi-media/nina-spencer-motivational-speaker-news/chatelaine-magazine-presenting-motherhood-quilt/) - By Rona Maynard, Editor, Chatelaine Magazine First published in Chatelaine's May 2000 issue, Maclean Hunter Publishing Limited The best part of writing this column is seeing what you have to say about it. You've always got something to add--something funny, eye-opening, poignant or all of the above. And no subject gets you talking like the
- [Edmonton Journal - Careers: Staff retraining pays off for employees, company](https://ninaspencer.com/multi-media/nina-spencer-motivational-speaker-news/edmonton-journal-careers-staff-retraining-pays-employees-company/) - Edmonton Journal - Careers: Staff retraining pays off for employees, company By FIONA MCNAIR, Special to the JournalEdmonton Journal / Wednesday, April 26, 2000 Recent Survey says 94 per cent of staff want new skills Knowledge management. Intellectual capital. Learning organization. Organizational learning. It is almost imossible to pick up a business or management primer
- [The Toronto Star - Knowing when to leave your job](https://ninaspencer.com/multi-media/nina-spencer-motivational-speaker-news/toronto-star-knowing-leave-job/) - BY DIANE MOORE SPECIAL TO THE STAR / The Toronto Star - October 19 2002 When you started your job a few years ago, you felt excited and enthusiastic about your prospects with the company. Being hired was cause for celebration. But lately the challenge and excitement is gone and most days you find yourself
- [Administrative Professionals: A Rose is a Rose is A Rose?](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/administrative-professionals-rose-rose-rose/) - The Difference Between "Secretary" and "Office Professional" and Why these Anchors Need Continuous Professional Development "The successful candidate must : maintain a positive attitude, work with people at all levels, use time effectively, take action on management priorities, take initiative, recruit, select and train staff, be dedicated to service excellence, problem solve, multi-task, be proactive,
- [Are you getting passion out of your profession?](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/passion-profession/) - If you won the biggest 649 lottery, what profession would you choose? The vast majority of people declare a profession that is totally different from the one I'm in! Some say they wouldn't ever work again, but I suggest that, after a while you'd get bored of being so rich and idle. Even Bill Gates
- [Going it Alone: Hanging out your shingle in training and development](https://ninaspencer.com/articles-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/hanging-shingle-training-development/) - I once saw a Gary Larson cartoon , where all these dogs are standing on one side of a busy street and one lonely dog is standing on the other side. He picks his moment, darts across the street, dodging cars and trucks, nearly getting hit, and he makes it to the other side, where
- [All work, no play, no more](https://ninaspencer.com/multi-media/nina-spencer-motivational-speaker-news/work-play/) - Cathy Gulli | Jun 15, 2006 What happens when a company orders its workers to slow down When Montreal-based Alcan Inc. was in the throes of acquiring one of its main rivals in 2003, employees at the world's second-largest aluminum producer were burning out. "Schedules were completely out of whack. People were working seven-day weeks,
- [Hamilton Spectator - Athena Award houours 2WA's Bermingham](https://ninaspencer.com/multi-media/nina-spencer-motivational-speaker-news/hamilton-spectator-athena-award-houours-2was-bermingham/) - On The Town by Kathi Aitken Photo by Ted Brellisford, The Hamilton Spectator Photo: Attending the second-annual Athena awards night were, left, Lina Brocklehurst, Janeen Lemay, Wanda Dzierzbicki and guest speaker Nina Spencer. Anne Bermingham of 2WA Consulting won this year's Athena Award that recognizes excellence, community service and active assistance to women in developing
- [Live and work with passion](https://ninaspencer.com/multi-media/nina-spencer-motivational-speaker-news/live-work-passion/) - Kara Kuryllowicz Canadian Business Online, March 27, 2006 How do you stay energized and enthusiastic about your business and life? It's not a moot question. As leader, your employees look to you to set the tone and culture of the company, so make sure your attitude is saying the right things. Indeed, the only thing
- [Love your job with a passion or risk dropping dead from a heart attack on Monday morning](https://ninaspencer.com/multi-media/nina-spencer-motivational-speaker-news/love-job-passion-risk-dropping-dead-heart-attack-monday-morning/) - If we don't love what we do, and the company and the people we work for and with, the personal and professional cost could be a broken heart, says Nina Spencer, a motivational speaker and author of Getting Passion Out of Your Profession: How to Keep Loving Your Living ... Come What May, released on
- [The Brampton Guardian - Speaker helps workers develop a passion for their profession](https://ninaspencer.com/multi-media/nina-spencer-motivational-speaker-news/brampton-guardian-speaker-helps-workers-develop-passion-profession/) - By KATHARINE SEALEY - Friday, January 30th, 2004 / The Brampton Guardian Nina Spencer wants you to love your job again. "Think back to that day when you finally got the call that said 'we want you'. How did you feel? Who did you call? How did you celebrate?," she said. "Now, fast forward, five
- [The Globe and Mail - Globe Careers C3: Put some passion back into your job](https://ninaspencer.com/multi-media/nina-spencer-motivational-speaker-news/globe-mail-globe-careers-c3-put-passion-job/) - Article by WALLACE IMMEN, Photos by LOUIE PALUTHE GLOBE AND MAIL, Wednesday, February 23, 2005 If you want to rekindle enthusiasm, take your career off autopilot, consultant urges. If you jumped for joy when you got your job but more lately it makes you think of jumping out the window, you may have unconsciously put
- [To get ahead: Tried and truisms](https://ninaspencer.com/multi-media/nina-spencer-motivational-speaker-news/truisms/) - Forget the fads. Dump the mentors. You're your own best adviser, and the best advice to follow is the obvious by WALLACE IMMEN Globe and Mail, August 3, 2007 The book shelves groan with volumes of the latest fad theories. Plenty of coaches are eager to impart their advice. And there's always a mentor to
- [You & the boss](https://ninaspencer.com/multi-media/nina-spencer-motivational-speaker-news/boss/) - Consultant Nina Spencer answered your career questions Globe and Mail Update - Wednesday, September 27, 2006 The workplace is dysfunctional, morale is in the tank -- and in comes a new executive with the clout to fix things. His or her arrival could herald new hope . . . or destine the organization to more
- [Seven strategies to boost your career opportunities](https://ninaspencer.com/multi-media/nina-spencer-motivational-speaker-news/careers-strategies-boost-career-opportunities/) - With an increasing number of predictions that smoother sailing will be ahead as the economy brightens, it's time to take advantage by Wallace Immen Wednesday's Globe and Mail Published on Wednesday, Jan. 06, 2010 It's been a scary, bumpy ride over the past year, with work forces decimated, lofty goals falling victim to market realities
- [ECONOMY: NEW REALITIES -- Strangers in a strange land](https://ninaspencer.com/multi-media/nina-spencer-motivational-speaker-news/economy-realities-strangers-strange-land/) - More long-term employees are losing jobs. For many, it will mean the first job hunt in years, if not decades WALLACE IMMEN Globe and Mail, Globe Careers: Section C: February 11, 2009 by WALLACE IMMEN In 25 years, Mario Thomas never had to actively search for a job. One always came to him. At least
- [How to make praise part of your workplace culture](https://ninaspencer.com/multi-media/nina-spencer-motivational-speaker-news/praise-part-workplace-culture/) - When pay freezes become the norm, praising staff regularly for their efforts offers an effective way to motivate Globe and Mail, Friday, October 21, 2010 The news hasn't exactly helped raise employees' spirits this week. The Bank of Canada's warning that the economic recovery remains sluggish came on top of projections by Buck Consultants that
- [Leave no ghosts in the closet when quitting](https://ninaspencer.com/multi-media/nina-spencer-motivational-speaker-news/leave-ghosts-closet-quitting/) - By VICKY SMITH -- Sun Media Many employees enter a work twilight zone when they become disillusioned with their job and decide to look for another job. The logical decision when the work environment, boss or tangible rewards change and cause unhappiness and stress, should be to hand in a resignation and find another job.
- [Smartest career moves for the year ahead](https://ninaspencer.com/multi-media/nina-spencer-motivational-speaker-news/smartest-career-moves-year/) - Excerpt from the Globe and Mail, Globe Careers, Survival / Expert Advice, Friday, January 9, 2009, page B14 WALLACE IMMEN Remember the good old days - like just last summer? Before the economy started its meltdown, employees thought they could confidently set long-term career goals and count on the support of employers who valued them
- [Spread the halo-effect around](https://ninaspencer.com/multi-media/nina-spencer-motivational-speaker-news/spread-halo-effect/) - Success or failure of a firm should not rest solely on the CEO's shoulders Philip Quinn, Financial Post -- Published: Wednesday, April 08, 2009 Mike Zafirovski, once seen as the saviour of Nortel Networks, failed to turn the ailing company around.Peter J. Thompson, National Post File PhotoMike Zafirovski, once seen as the saviour of Nortel
- [Summer's over, time to hunker down](https://ninaspencer.com/multi-media/nina-spencer-motivational-speaker-news/summers-time-hunker/) - Labour Day signals the start of a pickup in the pace at work. But it's tough to adjust, and get motivated to get back into gear JOANNA SMITH Friday, August 31, 2007 - Globe and Mail, Section C, Globe Careers Ignacio Oreamuno says he thinks that Canadian summers are kind of weird. Born in the
- [Taking Risks in 2010: Dive In, The Water's Great!](https://ninaspencer.com/multi-media/nina-spencer-motivational-speaker-news/risks-2010-dive-waters-great/) - By Nina Spencer "If I always do what I've always done, I'll always get what I've always got!" I first heard this quote (unfortunately without accreditation) back in 1990. Today, doing what you have always done might not even get you what you have always got – it might even get you less! To get
- [Working through those end-of-summer blues](https://ninaspencer.com/multi-media/nina-spencer-motivational-speaker-news/working-summer-blues/) - Motivation: The fall is an excellent time for managers to recharge their teams at the office Melissa Dunne Telegraph-Journal Published Saturday September 15th, 2007 Appeared on page E1 Children are not the only ones glum about getting back into a regular routine this fall. Adults are also slumping their shoulders and dragging their feet back
- [Nina's Media List](https://ninaspencer.com/multi-media/nina-spencer-motivational-speaker-news/ninas-media-list/) - Nina has appeared on: CBC-1 Radio Report on Business TV (ROBTV) CITY TV / Breakfast TV Rogers Community Television CKAT Radio CHUM Radio CHFI CHML CHEX TV BizTV Nina is profiled regularily in print media: GLOBE AND MAIL Toronto Star National Post/Financial Post Canadian Business Magazine Chatelaine Magazine Maclean's Magazine Profit Magazine Dose Magazine Reader's

## Categories

- [About Nina Spencer, Business Keynote Speaker](https://ninaspencer.com/category/about-nina-spencer-business-keynote-speaker/)
- [Articles By Keynote Speaker, Nina Spencer](https://ninaspencer.com/category/articles-by-keynote-speaker-nina-spencer/)
- [Calender of Engagements for Nina Spencer](https://ninaspencer.com/category/calender-of-engagements-for-nina-spencer/)
- [More Keynote Video Excepts](https://ninaspencer.com/category/more-keynote-video-excepts/)
- [Motivational Keynote Speaker Topics](https://ninaspencer.com/category/motational_keynote_speakers/)
- [Nina Spencer, Motivational Speaker in the News](https://ninaspencer.com/category/nina-sepncer-motivational-speaker-in-the-news/)
- [Nina's Mt. Kilimanjaro Climb](https://ninaspencer.com/category/nina-on-mt-kilimanjaro/)
- [Working Wisdom 2003](https://ninaspencer.com/category/working-wisdom-2003/)
- [Working Wisdom 2004](https://ninaspencer.com/category/working-wisdom-2004/)
- [Working Wisdom 2005](https://ninaspencer.com/category/working-wisdom-2005/)
- [Working Wisdom 2006](https://ninaspencer.com/category/working-wisdom-2006/)
- [Working Wisdom 2007](https://ninaspencer.com/category/working-wisdom-2007/)
- [Working Wisdom 2008](https://ninaspencer.com/category/working-wisdom-2008/)
- [Working Wisdom 2009](https://ninaspencer.com/category/working-wisdom-2009/)
- [Working Wisdom 2011](https://ninaspencer.com/category/working-wisdom-2011/)
- [Working Wisdom 2012](https://ninaspencer.com/category/working-wisdom/)
- [Working Wisdom Archive](https://ninaspencer.com/category/working-wisdom-archive/)
- [Nina's Thoughts of Life and Business Blog](https://ninaspencer.com/category/ninas-thoughts-of-life-and-business-blog/)

## Tags

- [nina spencer](https://ninaspencer.com/tag/nina-spencer/)
- [canadian motivational speaker](https://ninaspencer.com/tag/canadian-motivational-speaker/)
- [keynote speaker](https://ninaspencer.com/tag/keynote-speaker/)
- [mt. kilimanjaro](https://ninaspencer.com/tag/mt-kilimanjaro/)
- [workplace leadership strategies](https://ninaspencer.com/tag/workplace-leadership-strategies/)
- [toronto motivational speaker](https://ninaspencer.com/tag/toronto-motivational-speaker/)
- [canadian motivational speaker Toronto](https://ninaspencer.com/tag/canadian-motivational-speaker-toronto/)
- [business conference speaker](https://ninaspencer.com/tag/business-conference-speaker/)
- [motivational speaker](https://ninaspencer.com/tag/motivational-speaker/)
- [kilimanjaro](https://ninaspencer.com/tag/kilimanjaro/)