Honesty. Authenticity. Your true self. Being real. These days, there’s so many ways to describe what really comes down to the act of doing what you say you’re going to do, and that what you do is a meaningful reflection of who you are as a person. As Dr. Seuss aptly put it, “there’s no one alive that is Youer than You.” This certainly does (and should) extend into our work lives and, even…»
Did you know there’s actually a Ditch New Year’s Resolutions Day? If you’re wondering, it was on January 17. Apparently this demotivating day marks the moment when the excitement and fervour with which we created our goals for the new year fizzle out for a lot of people. While we’re all about celebrating on The Sandbox, this is one holiday we really hope everyone ignored this year, especially…»
As a people manager, I’m often inspired by articles and posts on LinkedIn. There’s no shortage of thought-provoking reads and memes to pore over! A few weeks ago, I read an article about avoiding micromanaging that really spoke to me. The risk of micromanaging is something I am very aware of because I LOVE to help—and know that sometimes I’m at risk of getting over-involved in my team’s…»
January marks the beginning of a new year, which means new goals, new things to look forward to and also new challenges to overcome—the first possibly being right around the corner. This upcoming Monday may seem like your run-of-the-mill start to the week but many consider the third Monday of January to be the unofficial gloomiest day of the year, Blue Monday. We know Mondays can already be tough,…»
Wellness champions can’t possibly be experts in all things. Thankfully, the world (wide web) is full of useful resources and tools to help you create a healthy workplace for everyone. Searching for and assessing the quality of resources online can sometimes feel overwhelming amidst all of the links, guidebooks, videos—you name it!—available at your fingertips. Welcome to the irony of resource…»
Workplace culture is a bit like baking a cake (chocolate, angel food, carrot—take your pick!). You add elements like inclusiveness, tolerance and empowerment, ice it with a bit of fun, and—BAM!—the next thing you know your culture “cake” is being featured on the Food Network. By using some of the following resources we’ve pulled together, you’ll be well on your way to mixing up an awesomely…»
APPLE Schools recently had the benefit of working with two fantastic University of Alberta kinesiology practicum students. Their enthusiasm and fresh perspective in the office really energized the team! One student, Sarah DeChamplain, shared with me how her experience helped shape her understanding of the broad impact that workplace wellness has on the whole team. I asked Sarah to share her thoughts…»
While the winter weather may not inspire you to jump for joy, it’s important that we don’t let these chilly days put a damper on our daily physical activity. Luckily, The Sandbox is chock full of stellar resources to keep you and your team on the move all winter long! While you Work Whether you find yourself sitting for long periods at work or your posture could use a pick-me-up, take a peek…»
Recently, I participated in a poverty simulation with over 100 staff members from Red Deer Public Schools. The purpose of this simulation was to gain awareness and understanding of what it’s like to live in poverty. More than one in six Alberta children live in poverty, according to a 2018 Alberta Child Poverty Report. They arrive at school with experiences and situations that many of us cannot…»
Everyone deserves to feel safe and supported, no matter your workplace. Building a strong workplace culture that’s inclusive of all staff, regardless of their abilities, culture, age, etc., is crucial to enabling a team to grow and thrive. In light of the 70th anniversary of the United Nations-declared Human Rights Day (December 10), we thought we’d share some of The Sandbox’s resources and…»
