Papillon MDC blog

Leadership through the lens of experience and practice. Read the stories of our experts and clients.

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Coaching, Guest Client Blog Series

14 May 2020

Tripartite Coaching: A Wonderful Gift

Some of the most rewarding coaching journeys I have had the pleasure to participate in are ones where the manager of the coachee is engaged in the process. In this piece I will share some of my observations of tripartite coaching: what works and does not work, what success might

Pierre Matuszewski

Guest Client Blog Series, Leadership

1 May 2020

LEADERSHIP: IT’S NOT A GENDER THING

I want to start this piece with a very clear statement: We need to create more equity in the percentage of men, women and other genders in leadership roles. This will happen through the ongoing support of young girls and women, in building programs for those who identify as other

Paul Simard

The President's Blog

26 Mar 2020

Love Letter to Humanity

When I arrived into our world you welcomed me with a blanket of white, fluffy snow. The moon was high, and the warm embrace of my mother’s arms was all I needed to feel safe. The ride home in the back of a taxi cab was comforting as I heard

Mirella De Civita

Career, Guest Client Blog Series

21 Feb 2020

Change and Courage: Releasing all I was not to become who I was meant to be

As far back as I can remember, I always had a keen intellectual curiosity. While most kids spent recess playing tag and swinging on the swing set, I could usually be found in the school library with my nose buried in a book. Reading became even more important to me

Georgette Damian Lopez

Leadership

13 Jan 2020

Toward a New Definition of Leadership

Leadership Theories Through Time Contemporary studies of leadership started in the mid 19th century with the first theory on leadership: “The Great Man Theory” which assumes that leadership traits are innate and intrinsic to the leader. Of course, it didn’t take long for this theory to be discredited in favour

Nader Daou

Guest Client Blog Series, Leadership

16 Dec 2019

Did you say leadership?…How to Bring Out and Expect the Best

In this blog, Colette asks some thought- provoking questions to help us become better leaders, to encourage more kindness, more thoughtfulness and as a result become more HUMAN beings… wherever we are on this journey we call life.

Colette Vanasse

Guest Client Blog Series, Leadership

19 Nov 2019

Teaching: Leading the Learning Boat to Shore

I am an Associate Professor of Health Psychology at Mount Allison University in Sackville, New Brunswick. Teaching is part of my job, in addition to research, service, and administrative tasks for a virtual teaching-patient navigation centre for children with complex care needs that Dr. Shelley Doucet, from UNB Saint John,

Rima Azar, Ph.D.

Leadership

18 Nov 2019

The Learning Boat of Acquired Knowledge: Is it Sailing Without a Captain?

Recently I had the pleasure of speaking to a long-time friend of mine about our work, and how interesting our journey has been. Dr. Rima Azar and I met at the age of 25 as graduate students at the University of Montreal. At the time, little did we know that

Mirella De Civita

Career, Guest Client Blog Series

17 Sep 2019

At a Crossroad? 4 Dynamic Steps to Take Charge of Your Career

Crossroads in careers can come by chance, by choice or brutally by force. Whichever it is, it’s an incredible opportunity to take matters in your hands to shape a roadmap to succeed and to tap into your potential. There is no magic moment or time that you will face such

Cherine Zananiri

Guest Client Blog Series, Leadership

5 Aug 2019

3 Important Steps Towards Conscious Leadership

I feel my story is a simple one to share and yet at the same time, when I share it with others, more often than not, it seems to elicit the pleasant response “I never really saw it that way”. Here is how my leadership journey led me to discover

Fil D'Urbano

Leadership

30 Jul 2019

The Courage to Redesign Your Leadership Presence

Whenever I pack for a family vacation, I take with me a few books. Usually, there is a poetry book, a psychology-based textbook, and a book on a topic I know nothing about. Most recently, I decided to dive into the fields of affective neuroscience and biology. I’ve always fancied

Mirella De Civita

Leadership

13 Jun 2019

A-HA! The fear of leadership: Why I wasn’t ready to “take on me” as a leader

Creativity may have always come easily to me, but I’ve also always known that it couldn’t be left to chance. It’s a skill that must continually be developed and refined despite the effort, pain, and struggle that comes along with exploring the edges of one’s creativity. Fortunately, my multifaceted

Stefano Di Lollo

Guest Client Blog Series, Leadership

4 Jun 2019

A Lifelong Journey to a Not-for-Profit Startup: When Passion and Leadership Collide

“The luminary lights may slowly drift away – but there’s one thing that one can never sever, Memories are a special gift – and they will last forever.” From “You Know I’m Here” Jon Reider, August 2019 What is your passion? My first blog and I find it to be

Jon Reider

Leadership

29 May 2019

What are you watering in yourself and in others?

A path to a better place in our minds doesn’t come to those who wait, but to those who practice. Practice what you ask? Practice the art of watering. Just imagine watering flowers. The empirical steps include: (1) verify if the soil is wet; (2) fetch water using a container

Mirella De Civita

Guest Client Blog Series, Leadership

8 May 2019

Want to know a secret? If you want to be a leader, it’s up to you!

Leaders aren’t born Becoming a leader is not an overnight accomplishment; some believe that it is inherited through their family genes, some think it is appointed to certain people in the company who may or may not be deserving of it, all the while wondering why they are not being

Denise Boyer

Leadership

1 May 2019

E-learning: The ability to go beyond your skills at your fingertips

“No one learns as much about a subject as one who is forced to teach it” -Peter Drucker Although the word “forced” may suggest negative connotations, it does not necessarily mean that one is forced by an external agent. Athletes often “force” themselves beyond their comfort zone to improve

Nader Daou

Guest Client Blog Series, Leadership

4 Apr 2019

The Building Blocks of Leadership in a Purpose-Driven Business

I have been in the apparel industry for several years, absorbing as much information as possible along the way and continuously learning to this very day. My leadership has also transformed and evolved due to this. Today, I lead an apparel business founded on purpose, with a clear mission and

Mayer Vafi

Career

2 Apr 2019

The day I decided to stop being a conforming chameleon

Our keen ability to blend in may have become such an instinctive ritual for so many of us, that I’ll use it as the excuse for having spent the beginning of my own career as a “conforming chameleon.” As the eager-to-please (and younger) version of myself, I chose to adapt

Stefano Di Lollo

Guest Client Blog Series, Leadership

1 Feb 2019

Radical Generosity – Business, Reimagined

Bhaskar Goswami speaks to us about practicing generosity and what it means for the future of business… Click here to view the vlog. About Bhaskar Goswami SPEAKER | TEACHER | YOGIPRENEUR DAANA Eastern, Western, ancient, modern, scientific, soulful From early childhood adventures in Assam, India to living through war in

Nader Daou

Leadership

29 Jan 2019

Who are you gathering with? A mindset of abundance to fuel the future of business and humanity

For centuries, people have gathered in temples with one common purpose. For the most part, these structures were reserved for religious or spiritual activities such as prayer. And, although such gatherings continue well into our time, I am particularly interested in the type of gathering that has nothing to do

Mirella De Civita

Leadership

11 Jan 2019

2018 was a year of disruption!

As we welcome 2019 and get ready for the unknown, we thought we would take a moment to reflect on the year that was and to share with you how disruptive we at Papillon MDC have been by trying new things and sticking it out even when we were criticized

Mirella De Civita

Guest Client Blog Series, Leadership

14 Dec 2018

A simple strategy to retain and mobilize talent in your organization

It is a well-known fact that salary increases and bonuses are short-lived sources of satisfaction. In fact studies show the effect only lasts about 3 months. Although total compensation is extremely important for your resources, you have to find other creative ways to retain your talent. Furthermore, retaining talent has

Michel Beaulieu

Guest Client Blog Series, Leadership

29 Nov 2018

Amazing things happen when purpose drives your business

There’s a lot of talk about purpose these days and it seems like the ‘new fad’. I believe it is actually the new paradigm and we are on its tipping point. Society has evolved so much over the past few years, expectations have shifted, employees, consumers, stakeholders alike expect more

Lucie Bourgeois

Leadership

26 Nov 2018

Make Purpose Your Business*

Purpose is the essence of what gives substantive meaning to why we deliberately choose to do the work we do. This isn’t about strategy. And, it sure isn’t about putting profits ahead of purpose. In fact, defining the purpose of your business drives its financial well-being because it inspires people

Mirella De Civita

Leadership

24 Oct 2018

Purposeful Self-Awareness: What Have You Signed Up To Do?

Most of us go through life not paying attention to our inner voice, barely audible due to our focus on getting things done. And, if we hear a whisper, we quickly shift our attention toward the things we have convinced ourselves are more important. In fact, we often confuse what

Mirella De Civita

Leadership

19 Oct 2018

Take a look in the mirror: when developing others becomes an opportunity for your personal growth

One of the most remarkable moments when developing people is realizing how it can be at once a selfless activity, and at the same time, an opportunity for your own personal growth. I have learned that people development involves three inter-related elements: (1) Coaching (encouraging, championing, and facilitating decision-making); (2)

Allan Christensen

Guest Client Blog Series, Leadership

9 Sep 2018

The Practice of Leadership

A few years ago, I tried out my first yoga class. I was struck with the term “practice” that was used to define this activity. In yoga, this term is used to suggest that you are committing to improve and get better. My yoga instructor or yogini, explained that it’s

Michael Eliesen

Leadership

5 Aug 2018

Staying Strong as a Transformational Leader: What Does it Take?

In our world today, leaders often find themselves faced with the most daunting challenges: From the need to make decisions faster or lose an opportunity to turn a profit without compromising quality. Gone are the days where “steady as she goes” was an option. Today, the next best thing comes

Mirella De Civita

Leadership

5 Aug 2018

Does Transformational Leadership Work for Everyone and Every Time?

NATURE VS. NATURE How do people become Transformational Leaders (TLs)? Do they possess innate characteristics that make them more prone to lead in a transformational way rather than transactional? The narrative stories we read focus on what leaders were able to accomplish at the helm of their organizations or institutions

Mirella De Civita

Leadership

5 Aug 2018

So what’s the “thing” about Transformational Leadership?

THE MAKING OF A TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADER We know that leaders in the upper echelons of a corporation or an institution influence the strategic direction as well as the effectiveness of operations. They do so directly through their personal characteristics (e.g., personality traits, preferences, and values) as well as by their

Mirella De Civita

Knowledge Transfer

24 Jul 2018

Capturing Your Corporate Knowledge: Why Should This be Your Priority?

In my last two years as a Postdoctoral Fellow in Behavioral Medicine at McGill University, I spent a considerable amount of time sharpening my skills in the diffusion of innovation and knowledge transfer. Back then, the importance of knowledge transfer was just taking shape and academics were required in their

Mirella De Civita

The President's Blog

27 Jun 2018

My Journey From There to Here: Finding Purpose

I guess my dad always had a knack for knowing how to give without being asked. No matter how little he had on him, he always felt richer by the sheer fact of having more than the person in front of him in that very moment. I remember many instances

Mirella De Civita

The President's Blog

28 May 2018

As MEECO 2018 Wraps Up…

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] This was my first time attending the MEECO Conference and I was inspired and compelled to share my thoughts on my amazing experience in Estes park Colorado. So before I boarded my plane on my way home late last night, I decided to write on a piece of paper

Mirella De Civita

Social Transformation Stories

7 Dec 2017

Margaux Roncière: Never Too Young to Pursue Your Purpose

Margaux Roncière, 16 years old, is a talented young woman with a social purpose. She uses her hands to create stunning landscapes, bringing nature to life on her canvases, and uses her heart to transform her passion to change lives. While some of us may search a lifetime for ourpurpose,

Nader Daou

Social Transformation Stories

23 Nov 2017

A Debate On Purpose and Sustainability: Celebrating Umalia’s 5th Anniversary

This past October 5, Mirella De Civita, President of Papillon MDC Inc., had the privilege of attending Umalia’s 5th anniversary dinner. As one of Umalia’s strategic partners, Papillon MDC Inc. also had the opportunity to participate in a debate on purpose and sustainability with distinguished guests from business, academia and

Mirella De Civita

Social Transformation Stories

6 Nov 2017

The Culmination of an Inspiring Journey: Papillon MDC’s Work Lands in Senegal

Just this past June, Papillon MDC Inc. was proud to announce that the mentor-mentee program we developed for women entrepreneurs in Senegal was ready to be delivered. The program is a work of purpose and dedication developed in partnership with Crossroads International to help the Senegalese women in their

Mirella De Civita

Social Transformation Stories

19 Oct 2017

Fernando Barbosa – When Dreams Take Flight

In 2013, we were lucky to have crossed paths with an incredible young artist who was making waves not only on the art scene, but in the lives of this world’s most vulnerable people – children. A writer, director and actor in his own right, Fernando Barbosa, a Bolivian-born-and-raised and

Mirella De Civita

Social Transformation Stories

8 Sep 2017

Harnessing Leadership Across the Globe: The Remarkable Journey of Hyppolite Dansou

One does not have to wait for the “right time” or have “enough money” to pay it forward. Becoming an agent of change requires one to look deep within themselves to discover what it is they can offer that can make a difference in their community, their country and the

Mirella De Civita

Leadership

12 Aug 2017

Engaging Talent – Sustaining Competitive Edge

Greatness is not paved by a string of successful outcomes. In fact, it is made up of failures, disappointments, and wrong turns in the road, some bad decisions, as well as high, unforgiving cliffs, and incredibly low, abysmal valleys. When I analyzed the life stories of leaders who have reached

Mirella De Civita

Leadership

29 Jul 2017

Mindfulness at Work, Mindfulness Presence

Did you know that Papillon MDC has been using mindfulness practices grounded in science since its creation in 2010? Mindfulness is more than a fad. It is a way of life. It cannot be taught in one course nor can it genuinely be lived when the only purpose for learning

Mirella De Civita

Social Transformation Stories

20 Jul 2017

Crossroads International and Green Beaver: More than a year later

Image from left to right: Mirella De Civita, Papillon MDC’s CEO, Astou Niang, Program Officer with Crossroads, Alain Ménard, Green Beaver’s Co-founder and CEO, and Christine Campbell, Interim Executive Director with Crossroads. In February 2016, Papillon MDC Inc. embarked on a journey with Crossroads International to design a mentor-mentee training

Mirella De Civita

Leadership

7 Jul 2017

You Are Now An Executive! Are You Ready To Manage Dual Roles?

Let’s get something straight: Being an Executive comes with new responsibilities and commitments. Some may be familiar and others will become obvious in the days, weeks, and months to come. In no time, you will realize the challenge of managing your dual role: You are NOW the most senior representative

Mirella De Civita

Leadership

15 Jun 2017

Focused Attention: The Path Toward Integrity

I choose kindness whenever it is possible. It is always possible. I choose to see more than the bad choices people make in their lives. They are more than just their bad choices. I choose to see more than what is obvious to the person in front of me. People

Mirella De Civita

Leadership

29 May 2017

True Power or Corruption?

“True power is shared. Shared power requires compromise.” A number of clients have shared with us their concerns about managers who have fallen from grace after being appointed to an important, and critical position in the organization. It would appear, for these individuals, that the scope of influence and

Mirella De Civita

Coaching

25 May 2017

Time is a Thief

Far too often we find ourselves working with leaders who delay making critical decisions. In some cases, decisions are required to manage talent. In other situations, decisions are necessary to cut losses and turn a corner. And, in other cases, a decision is needed to invest in an opportunity. The

Mirella De Civita

Leadership

25 May 2017

Rethinking Leadership

“…unless top management has the trust of the people, no REAL change will occur.” Management consultants aim at changing the ethos of a corporation through the engagement of top management. Although there is an abundance of research suggesting that top management ought to be included in order for change

Mirella De Civita

Leadership

25 May 2017

Purpose: Why it Matters

It no longer seems profitable to speak about “Purpose”. Leaders today are reluctant to ask themselves what is the purpose of their work and more broadly, their organization. Speaking about “Purpose” means we are not business-like. Be it resolved that “Purpose” does matter to the financial well-being of any corporation,

Mirella De Civita

Mentorship

13 May 2017

Trust in a Mentor-Mentee Relationship

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The night has indeed been my oasis time and time again… I’ve had my most intimate moments in darkness wherein I would sit still and listen to the competing voices within. You learn many things about yourself in darkness; but the one thing that is true when you sit in

Mirella De Civita

Social Transformation Stories, Take Flight

18 Mar 2017

You Can do More Than You Think: Giving Back is Being Human

In 2011, I decided to make it my priority to find an innovative way for Papillon MDC Inc. to share its expertise in meaningful ways with the community at large. I realized at a young age that our talents came with a tremendous amount of responsibility. It required sharing our

Mirella De Civita

Leadership

20 Feb 2017

Words Matter

Never look in your past to blame or criticize yourself for the things you said or did not say. Wasteful energy! If you must, make sure to bring along a spirit of acceptance and a commitment to change. I know I have, and the lessons I learned paved the way

Mirella De Civita

Leadership through the lens of experience and practice. Read the stories of our experts and clients.

Tripartite Coaching: A Wonderful Gift

LEADERSHIP: IT’S NOT A GENDER THING

Love Letter to Humanity

Change and Courage: Releasing all I was not to become who I was meant to be

Toward a New Definition of Leadership

Did you say leadership?…How to Bring Out and Expect the Best

Teaching: Leading the Learning Boat to Shore

The Learning Boat of Acquired Knowledge: Is it Sailing Without a Captain?

At a Crossroad? 4 Dynamic Steps to Take Charge of Your Career

3 Important Steps Towards Conscious Leadership

The Courage to Redesign Your Leadership Presence

A-HA! The fear of leadership: Why I wasn’t ready to “take on me” as a leader

A Lifelong Journey to a Not-for-Profit Startup: When Passion and Leadership Collide

What are you watering in yourself and in others?

Want to know a secret? If you want to be a leader, it’s up to you!

E-learning: The ability to go beyond your skills at your fingertips

The Building Blocks of Leadership in a Purpose-Driven Business

The day I decided to stop being a conforming chameleon

Radical Generosity – Business, Reimagined

Who are you gathering with? A mindset of abundance to fuel the future of business and humanity

2018 was a year of disruption!

A simple strategy to retain and mobilize talent in your organization

Amazing things happen when purpose drives your business

Make Purpose Your Business*

Purposeful Self-Awareness: What Have You Signed Up To Do?

Take a look in the mirror: when developing others becomes an opportunity for your personal growth

The Practice of Leadership

Staying Strong as a Transformational Leader: What Does it Take?

Does Transformational Leadership Work for Everyone and Every Time?

So what’s the “thing” about Transformational Leadership?

Capturing Your Corporate Knowledge: Why Should This be Your Priority?

My Journey From There to Here: Finding Purpose

As MEECO 2018 Wraps Up…

Margaux Roncière: Never Too Young to Pursue Your Purpose

A Debate On Purpose and Sustainability: Celebrating Umalia’s 5th Anniversary

The Culmination of an Inspiring Journey: Papillon MDC’s Work Lands in Senegal

Fernando Barbosa – When Dreams Take Flight

Harnessing Leadership Across the Globe: The Remarkable Journey of Hyppolite Dansou

Engaging Talent – Sustaining Competitive Edge

Mindfulness at Work, Mindfulness Presence

Crossroads International and Green Beaver: More than a year later

You Are Now An Executive! Are You Ready To Manage Dual Roles?

Focused Attention: The Path Toward Integrity

True Power or Corruption?

Time is a Thief

Rethinking Leadership

Purpose: Why it Matters

Trust in a Mentor-Mentee Relationship

You Can do More Than You Think: Giving Back is Being Human

Words Matter

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