I ended up with majors in philosophy and journalism; led to PR career that's spanned 44 years so far, mostly consulting plus four years as chief communications officer at Canada's largest chemical company. Wrote book on crisis communications that got to become what they call 'seminal' work that set the rules, ended up focusing on issues, crisis, major change and conflict communications. Result: got to work on some of the most high profile and deeply quiet issues and crises the past couple of decades across all sectors, from coast to coast and abroad. Tons of adrenaline rushes, challenges, sleepless nights, and personal satisfaction.

Still doing issues, crisis, strategy counseling and support under umbrella of firm founded with partner/wife in 1990, although less so. Reason: past decade, expanded by creating and offering strategic communications-based skills training programs that are customized and licensed to organizations in all sectors. This is now our focus, along with teaching at Royal Roads and as invited at other venues. Our interest is sharing the knowledge we’ve gained through programs we’ve built, and when asked to speak to audiences interested in what we have to share.

I've got two other major foci. One is promoting the new second edition of a book called Leadership@Work I coauthored with organizational psychologist Harvey Silver; the original, published in 2001,  was on the business book best sellers list for 10 months and was 2001’s 5th best selling business book. The new edition is better. The other is my deep commitment to eldercare in the family. I host a site on this at  www.mycarejourney.com, coauthored a Canadian best seller called Parenting Your Parents, in January 2011 published two new books on the subject (www.familyeldercareworkbook.com). And I write brooding poetry and play mediocre tennis to relax.

From what I'm told by students, audiences, workshop participants, media show hosts, etc, is that what I seem to be able to do is connect with most people. We seem to develop some sort of empathy. We share stuff. I tend to be overly open, but then again, I've got no secrets. I think people who interact with me, as students or clients or friends or family, get my openness and get engaged, knowing I will and do respect their place and space. Bottom line: I love what I do, I love interacting with people, I love the challenge of helping others get belter in some way.