Best Barbershop in Toronto

The Baby Point Barbershop is an experience I relish.  

The aesthetics of the shop are classic with a clean retro feel.  Five old-school red leather chairs beckon you and the curated memorabilia — tucked away on furniture picked up at a second-hand store — create an atmosphere of supreme comfort. Simultaneously quirky and familiar, spacious and intimate, the space is welcoming and warm.

Classic chairs

Sitting back in your chair with a bib gently placed around your neck, you’ll notice the music.  Carefully selected playlists — with a firm nod to classic rock, R&B and soul — add a relaxing, but upbeat feel to the experience.  

Throughout the experience, there’s banter between patrons and the barber.  Participation in the conversation is voluntary, but it’s almost impossible to avoid chatting. The talk ranges from politics and society to family and schools. 

It’s all quite classy and congenial without the pretence of a hipster hair salon.

Since the shop opened a couple of years ago, I’ve had my hair cut by the owner Alex, a thoughtful service professional who’s a natural conversationalist.  He smiles sincerely and laughs heartily. 

Not even 30, Alex is a Torontonian of Italian heritage with a deep appreciation for the city’s diversity and culture.  Having grown up in the Etobicoke area (adjacent to Baby Point), including schooling in Rexdale, he’s a young man with an open mind and an entrepreneurial spirit. 

Alex and team listen, ask questions and diplomatically share their perspectives and opinions. They’re young and curious, open-minded and worldly.  His crew are equally adept at interpreting the extent to which customers would like them to engage. 

Vince doing his thing

Nothing is forced or awkward.  Everything is about respectful, efficient service.  

Where the warm towels are kept…

The team consists of four regular barbers, each with their own personal style.  During may various visits I’ve been fortunate to meet a couple of them.  Whenever I’m having my hair cut, Vince is there.  He naturally slides into the conversation with unique insights.  A man of many abilities and wonderful quirky at times, he’s an artisan — knife maker — who sports a gold trimmer as his main tool. Apart from being an experienced barber, he’s a teacher; which is evident as he’s very good with kids. 

Make an appointment and swing by.  You’ll walk out smiling and happier (with less hair).

Location: the corner of Windermere and Annette St.

Within Five

After a long hiatus from blogging, I’ve launched a new series called Within Five (#within5). It will feature unique places of interest within 5 km of my home. The focus on local businesses has grown out a desire to get to know my area better, and to meet some of the individuals who have struggled to make it through the pandemic. Those who have smiled and gritted their teeth (behind masks, of course) as they have faced numerous challenges to keep financially afloat during these turbulent times.  

The pandemic forced many of us to stay home.  Among the few benefits of this imposed domesticity has been a deeper appreciation of what makes my ‘hood special  With no need to go to an office, and not content to simply order in, I have explored nearby places within walking distance or a short cycle.  

To ‘feel’ the area and discern its ‘pulse’ I have tried - as much as possible - to do so on foot or with a two-wheeled vehicle. The nuances of a neighbourhood’s graffiti and the uniqueness of makeshift ads on its lampposts cannot be appreciated from the confines of a car. By embracing the elements and strolling or riding around, the energy, smells and sights of a neighbourhood are best appreciated.

Local-philia in Toronto 

Recently, Toronto Life had a special issue on The City’s 100 Best Food Shops. (Thankfully, quite a few are in my vicinity. ) As much as it’s a decent ranking of some of Toronto’s gastronomic hotspots, I’m more interested in the totality of a neighbourhood. Hair salons, public art, breweries and specialist retailers; they all form the contextual fabric of an area. (Incidentally, the same magazine ranks neighbourhoods in the city, providing an overview of each area according to the criteria of housing, safety, transit, shopping, health, entertainment, community, diversity, education, and employment.)

Neighbourhoods

By Archie’s Press

When I moved back to Canada in 2018, a friend of mine described Toronto as a “city of neighbourhoods.” While I can’t speak to the suburbs or downtown, in terms of where I live — High Park / The Junction / Bloor West Village / Roncesvalles — it’s true.  Each neighbourhood has its own character and combination of experiences that give it a unique ethos.

As a pedestrian and cyclist, businesses that have stood out for me are those offering a blend of exceptional service with a unique offering.  I have also come to appreciate the many parks and ravines that Toronto has to offer. Over the next few weeks and months, I’ll showcase some of my favourite places.  

Tell me what you think.  What makes your neighbourhood special? I’m keen to know. 

A Score of Thanks

Gratitude after a difficult 2020

The term “score” — meaning twenty — is rarely used these days. As a noun with multiple meanings, a score can refer to everything from the total number of points earned in a game, to drugs bought from a dealer, to a musical composition to a sexual conquest.  For this article, however, the only score I wish to reference are the 20 things for which I am grateful this year.  It has been a difficult 2020, but through it all, these people, places, and things have kept me going.  For each of them I am exceptionally thankful. In no particular order, they include:

1) My wife Chantelle

My wife has been a pillar of strength throughout the year.  For most of it, she has worked at home in an office we’ve set up on the top floor of our humble home.  Her hours of toiling through Teams calls and taking on numerous challenges at work have been inspirational. She has kept us financially afloat and has balanced so many responsibilities with a sense of humour and poise that amaze me.  Without a doubt, she remains a shoe-in for ‘Wife of the Year’!

2) Benjamin, my son

My son started at a new school in September; his fourth in the past four years. He has had to adapt to much change during this time, but through it all he has remained full of enthusiasm, great questions, and unending curiosity.  His resilience, desire to learn, and endless playfulness instil immeasurable pride in me and remind me that the most important job in life is to be a loving parent.  

3) My Dad

At the end of September, we lost my father rather suddenly.  He was out for a ride and somehow ended up falling headfirst into the asphalt.  No foul play was suspected and despite wearing a helmet, it did not protect him from falling into a coma from which he did not return.  My father’s accident took us by surprise as very suddenly he was taken from us.  A man full of life and vigour, he was fit and a physically active 88-year-old. He will remain an exemplar of the importance of regular exercise, embracing the beauty of nature, and living life to the fullest. 

4) Neighbours

Having moved into a home we bought at the end of December 2019, we had to once again settle into a neighbourhood. We have been so fortunate to have the wonderful Derry family in the adjacent semi-detached house.  Their youngest, Gabriel, and my son have become best friends and having each other to play with during the pandemic has been one of the most special blessings, and a beautiful thing to observe. They have become brothers to one another, and I have enjoyed the periodic end-of-day beers with David, his father.

5) Canada

“Peace, order and good government” are the central tenants of this country’s constitution.  This was plainly evident during the pandemic, and I salute the men and women who have been trying to deal with a difficult situation, in particular our government. Under Prime Minister Trudeau, the government has responded admirably to the pandemic and reassured Canadians that they can depend on the government to see them through this crisis.  For one, I am grateful for the safety net provided by unemployment insurance and the Canada Recovery Benefit (thanks to legislation that passed with the support of all political parties). 

6) Proximity to Family
One of the reasons we moved from South Africa to Canada was to be closer to family. With my brother in Toronto and my mother in Ottawa, we have been lucky to enjoy lots of great meals together and quality time having out in both cities. I am so happy that I was able to be there for my mum when she most needed it and how we all came together to celebrate my father at his memorial in early November. It has been especially touching to observe the blossoming relationship between my wife and sister-in-law since they have been in the same city together.

7) Local Parks

We live close to High Park, one of Toronto’s great parks. Extending over 161 ha (400 acres), it is the city’s second largest municipal park and features wonderful paths for hiking and running, areas for dogs to run off-leash, playgrounds for children, ponds for fishing, and even a small zoo. The park was donated to the city in 1873 “for the free use, benefit and enjoyment of the citizens of Toronto for ever” and it remains the best place to witness cherry blossoms in the spring (access to which was limited during the COVID-19 pandemic). As often as possible I enjoy the park as an urban oasis to breathe in fresh air and commune with nature.

8) Optimum Talent 

Having completed a one-year contract with the Mastercard Foundation at the end of March, my employer kindly provided access to the services of Optimum Talent, a talent management firm, to help transition to my next role. Apart from one-on-one consultations with a career counsellor, Lindsey Estenfelder, I was offered the opportunity to participate in a weekly networking group, headed by Debra Adey. These virtual meetings with others seeking employment provided tremendous support, learning, and connection when I felt quite isolated. 

9) The Lewis Family

Jeff and Lauren lived on our street up until the middle of 2020, when they bought a house and moved to Hamilton.  As a couple — and as journalists — they had lived and worked in Alberta prior to moving to Toronto.  Their eldest Bennett, my son Ben, and our neighbour’s boy Gabriel were as thick as thieves and regularly ‘terrorized’ the neighbourhood as a three-person gang on scooters.  Jeff and Lauren have become friends and we’ve gotten together with them a few times since they relocated, including a couple of wonderful times at their cottage.

10) Nic and Ann

Nic is an old friend and he and his wife Ann were instrumental in helping us settle in Toronto at the end of 2018.  Their boy Theo, who is a few years younger than Ben, is an absolute delight.  One-on-one time with Nic, cycling, and exploring some of the city’s ravines have been some highlights for me. 

11) My Son’s Teachers

Ms K at King George Primary School and Mrs Tavares at St. Cecelia’s have been absolute stars in educating Ben and helping him feel settled.  Consummate professionals and with warm, caring hearts, they have been vital to his adaptation to a new country and culture.  Amid all the disruption and uncertainty of the pandemic, both of these women have been rock solid and reliable in their determination to make the school year work, with or without long-distance learning.

12) LinkedIn

An online social platform that is so much more than a job-hunting tool, I have become an avid user of LinkedIn.  Apart from being a valuable outlet to provide my views on different work-related matters, I’ve also been able to learn from my connections and the various courses provided through LinkedIn learning.  I look forward to seeing how the platform evolves in the coming years as a more integrated aspect of the Microsoft empire.

13) St. Paul’s Church

On November 7th we produced a memorial to my father — Dr. Sholto Fletcher Cole —who passed away rather suddenly about a month away from his 89th birthday.  While it had a small in-person service at the church, the service was ostensibly put together to cater to an online audience (thanks to COVID-19 restrictions).  Led by Minister Wilson and technically produced by Ed Smith from St Paul’s, we pulled it off without a major hitch. The service included kind words from Minister Jack Archibald (the recently retired from St. Paul’s), playing of the organ by Matthew Larkin and eulogies by my brother Doug (in Ottawa) and from Jack Richardson, a longtime friend of my father’s who is based in Boston. Beyond the ceremony, the broader congregation at the church — where my parents have been active members — were unbelievably supportive, especially my mum and dad’s bible study group of multiple decades.

14) Creekside Community

My parents have been in Creekside, a small neighbourhood near Bayshore Shopping Centre for over two decades.  It is a special place with a caring group of neighbours and friends.  When my father passed, I was touched by the kindness and care that was offered and how many of individuals from the neighbourhood popped in to pay their condolences.  It is heartening to know that my mother is part of this community and that it will provide her with companionship during times when she may feel alone. 

15) Podcasters

I have been a big fan of podcasts and over the past year I have come to appreciate the format even more.  The shows I listen to regularly include Radiolab, Tim Ferriss, TED Radio Hour, Stuff You Should Know, Freakonomics, and Hidden Brain.  This year I also ‘discovered’ Zig Zag, part of the TED network of shows.  In one way or another, each of these podcasts provided comfort, support, and insight to help get through a difficult year.

16) Wildlife

We are lucky to live in a neighbourhood with a fair number of mature trees, including a few standing tall over our backyard. These ‘grandfathers of nature’ provide a home and refuge for many animals including red-tailed hawks, blue jays, cardinals, sparrows, chickadees, and various other birds.  We’ve even spotted coyote, red fox and an opossum (North America’s only marsupial). Racoons and squirrels are also plentiful in our area, providing regular entertainment with their antics and bravado. Apart from observing their beautiful busyness, these animals served as reminders of the importance of nature and our dependency upon all that it provides our species. 

17) Weekends away

During the course of 2020 we had the opportunity to explore quite a few towns near Toronto. There is so much to see in the vastness of Canada, and the province of Ontario provides a small taste of the country’s extensive cultural and geographic diversity. Some highlights from day trips and weekends away to locales as Cambridge, Elora, Prince Edward County, Tobermory/Bruce Peninsula, Manitoulin Island, 1000 Islands and Ottawa, include fantastic hiking, dining, and shopping at various farm stalls and ‘high streets’ in these towns.

18) ‘Old Skool’ Zooms

In the middle of the pandemic, I reconnected with several mates from my high school days thanks to the ubiquitous technological wonder called Zoom.  These sessions provided the chance to laugh, rib one another, contemplate the realities of middle-age, and consider some of the challenges facing the world.  Several of us grew impressive beards and the staggered removal of such facial growth — during the course of one Zoom call — provided tremendous amusement.  Thank you Dean, Kevin, Mike and André for taking the time to connect.

19) Local Businesses

As much as possible, we’ve tried to support our local corner store, Garden Foods, a small shop run by a wonderful Korean-Canadian family.  When he was allowed to open, I also visited my local barber, Alex, owner of The Baby Point Barbershop.  Both of these businesses, and especially the latter, offer a level of personal service and friendliness that are unmatched by blue vest wearing greeters typically found at big box stores. I appreciate the entrepreneurship and tenacity of these individuals to survive a year that has been brutal on small businesses. 

20) Health 

I cannot look back on 2020 without appreciating the fact that I am in decent health.  Without a gym to go to for most of the year, I have tried to maintain some semblance of fitness by going on occasional runs by myself and regular walks with my family. I am thankful that I have remained healthy as so many individuals, families, and businesses have been affected by COVID-19. My uncle Graham in South Africa had a particularly difficult time during the pandemic and I am so happy that he was able to pull through following two heart operations that had to be done following complications resulting from contracting the virus.

Pining for Public Art and Pandemic-Busting Inspiration

Urban life has taken a major knock thanks to COVID-19.  The city I live in — Toronto — is once again under a lockdown which means we must stay home, except for essential trips and emergencies. Cloistered away, our lives have become quite ordinary.  Too ordinary.   

I miss the discoveries and endless inspiration offered by walking in the city with its various avenues, parks, and buildings. Places to escape to and encounter the out-of-the-ordinary. Creations that challenge and prod one’s worldview, allowing ideas to percolate and conversations to unfold. Things of beauty that are considered adventurous, avant-garde, and even risqué.

This is the role of art.

Sadly, the pandemic has killed the arts sector, starved restaurants of business, and generally gutted urban life.  Public events have been cancelled. Shows shut down.  Museums closed. Other than what one can view on TV and streaming video services, the inspiration offered by art has been dramatically quashed.

If one ventures out, the city seems unreal. Un-alive. Ghost-like individuals, masked and anonymous, walk by, avoiding eye contact.  The spectrum of humanity ordinarily found in the urban environment — from buskers to lineups outside theatres — no longer exists.  It is as if we are living in T.S. Eliot’s Waste Land. 

It begs the question: how can we resuscitate this urban wasteland? 

Build it and they will come

The baseball movie Field of Dreams — starring Kevin Costner — is famous for the line “build it and they will come.” For decades, property developers have faithfully lived by this mantra. In city centres they have constructed high-rises to house residents, contain office workers, and entice shoppers.  Labyrinths of concrete and steel connect these structures through subways and subterranean walkways.

But with COVID-19 everything has changed.

Condo prices have plummeted, public transport has been abandoned, and the perceived need for offices is in decline.  While many elements of cities built by developers are being questioned, if we are to maintain the social fabric of urban life, there is one area where I hope developers — and others — continue to contribute: Public Art. 

During 2021, the City of Toronto will celebrate the Year of Public Art.  Having focused on Public Art since the middle of the 19th Century, the City now manages and maintains almost 300 pieces of outdoor art.  Much of the funding for these highly accessible works comes from developers commissioning public art as part of a development approval, donating land and commissioned art to the city, or donating cash to the city for art that is commissioned on pubic lands. Whatever the mechanism, the result has been impressive with private developers having contributed some 300 projects in Toronto over the past 30 years.

The most recent addition to Toronto’s Public Art scene is DREAMING, a massive sculpture on the public plaza at the Richmond-Adelaide Centre, a $650 million revitalization project by Oxford Properties in Toronto’s Financial District. The three-storey tall art piece, created by Spanish artist Jaume Plensa, is the portrait of a young girl in quiet contemplation, juxtaposed against the busyness of the adjacent streets. 

More outlandish, please

The movie Field of Dreams was essentially about passion and doing something outlandish: building a baseball diamond in the middle of an Iowa corn field.  An Old English word meaning ‘not native’ or ‘from a foreign country' outlandish describes things that appear out of place or out of the ordinary. 

I say, bring on the outlandish!

On any given day, there are over 100 languages spoken in Toronto.  The city is a cultural mishmash, a mixing pot of cuisines, entrepreneurial minds, and creative energies from around the world. DREAMING is the latest addition to an array of artworks scattered throughout the city created by Canadians of various backgrounds, as well as non-resident artists.

Some of my favourite public art in Toronto (shown to me by a Kiwi friend who used to be based in the city), are:

“Tembo, Mother of Elephants” by Derrick S. Hudson in Toronto Commerce Court

“Businessman” by McElcheran in Brookfield Place (181 Bay St.)

TD Gallery of Indigenous Art (79 Wellington St. W.) is a rotating exhibition space representing regions across Canada. Check out the self-guided tour.

Two Circles by Canadian artist and curator Micah Lexier (333 Bay St.)

Viewed from afar, each circle appears as a perfect geometric shape on a smooth, white wall, but as one gets closer, the work reveals an intricate mosaic composed of 1.6 million handmade ceramic sticks.

Public art allows for the expression of various cultural voices, increases understanding of different peoples, helps our appreciation of history, and adds value to different parts of the city. By escaping our houses and taking the time to observe and appreciate such installations, we can each find inspiration, and if we’re lucky, maybe experience awe. At the least, public art is an effective means of cultural education, and if we pay attention, it can even connect us to others. As Seth Godin writes in his most recent book The Practice: 

“Culture is a conspiracy. It’s the voluntary engagement of humans in search of connection and safety.”

Christmas in the City

The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree in New York City is an iconic, smile-inducing sight and an example of public art that speaks to Godin’s description of culture.  Once illuminated, the buzz of the city is enhanced, drawing thousands of locals and visitors to Midtown Manhattan. Describing itself as “…a gathering place and reflection of what is happening in the world” this centrepiece of the Season is an unforgettable experience, especially with the skating rink at the base of the tree. (Factoid: In 1966, Canada donated a tree from Ottawa to be a Rockefeller Centre Christmas Tree when Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson, co-founder of the UN, was in power.)

Photo by Daniel Slim (Getty Images)

Struggling as we are through the pandemic, we all need more joy-inducing experiences.  Places that excite us and connect us. Artistry that dazzles and brings smiles to faces — young and old — and that even challenge perspectives on the world. Such creations enhance our sense of community, enrich city life, and drive tourism (whenever that is going to come back). 

Toronto’s Christmas tree — located on Nathan Phillips Square at City Hall — was lit up by Mayor John Tory a few days ago. Today, the Federal Government will mark the beginning of the Christmas Lights Across Canada on Parliament Hill in Ottawa.  I will certainly be heading out with my family to admire the lights, but for those more inclined to at-home viewing, the Government of Canada launches its virtual show IllumiNATION on December 17 at 8 pm ET. 

According to Prime Minister Trudeau: 

“This beautiful display also reminds us that there is light at the end of the tunnel, that we will get through this global COVID-19 pandemic, and that we must continue to stand together. Our values of unity and of being there for one another, and our confidence in the future, will allow us to continue working to build an even better Canada.”

Addressing a mental health emergency

We are living through strange times where buildings sit empty and households self-isolate. Such isolation has created a mental health emergency. According to Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), because of COVID-19:

• Nearly 1/2 of women (24.3 per cent) are experiencing moderate to severe anxiety, significantly higher than the 17.9 per cent found among men.

• Parents with children under 18 years of age living at the home were more likely to report feeling depressed (29.1 per cent) than adults without children (18.9 per cent).

Apart from the disproportional impact of the pandemic on women and parents, the arts community has been devastated.  Organizations like the Canada Council for the Arts  are doing what they can to help artists, but more needs to be done. One piece of encouraging news from Ravi Jain, founding artistic director of Why Not Theatre, came recently when he spoke at The Walrus Talks at Home: Living Better online event this month. In his short talk, he touched on an innovative pilot project undertaken through cross-sector partnerships that offered artists empty spaces to enliven and use for artistic purposes.  Some encouraging results came from the almost 2,500 hours of free space provided to more than 50 artists who participated in Project Space.

According to Jain: 

”Artists are among the working poor in Toronto. Every year more and more artists are being driven out of the city by the rising cost of living. Yet their contribution to our city is vital. Artists reignite neighbourhoods, boost economic growth, and make Toronto a more communal and livable place.

COVID has increased the economic precariousness of most artists, but it can also cause us to rethink how artists might play a role in recovering from the pandemic.  We must continue to invest in those who can ignite communities, activate spaces, and unlock the potential of cities and the people who live in them.  There is an economic and mental health imperative to do so.

To maintain our collective sanity we all need more fresh air, sunlight and art.  This winter, I encourage all Canadians — as distinct family ‘bubbles’, of course — to put on their masks, bundle up, and head out to soak in the sights (at a respectful distance from one another).  It’s also a chance to get some Vitamin D, although I’m not sure how one does so at night when Christmas lights are at their best…

Hope Amid Trying Times

Imagine the movie trailer:

In a galaxy far, far away…nefarious forces, under orders from a mysterious leader, hold the country hostage in their efforts to quell the election of a new President.  Rebel forces, led by a sage master and his protégé — a warrior from a distant land — collaborate to repel an invisible enemy, rescue fallen comrades, and restore freedom and justice to the country. 

America has been cleaved in two, psychologically and politically.  Over the past few months, two versions of reality have duked it out on the country’s political stages.  After a brutal election campaign, votes have been cast amid trying circumstances to decide upon a new leader of the world’s most influential economy. 

It would appear a clear winner has emerged from the 2020 election, and that hope and humility have defeated paranoia and pessimism.  Walled up in the White House, however, the current President remains in power, firing menacing mini-missives into the Twitter-verse.

Is there a new hope unfolding?…

A walled-off White House (November 2020)

Hope is not Optimism

The Stockdale paradox presents hope as distinctly different from optimism.  Based on his experience as a Vietnam POW who spent more than seven years in captivity, Stockdale provides a useful perspective on how to survive prolonged suffering.  In essence, he argues that one should not allow the possibility of a positive event emerging as a means to maintain one’s psyche. Every day is a battle to fight with confidence, despite one’s circumstance.  As Stockdale says: 

“You must never confuse faith that you will prevail in the end—which you can never afford to lose—with the discipline to confront the most brutal facts of your current reality, whatever they might be.”

The confronting of the present reality is the most important thing to focus on.  The belief that one will prevail in the end is a kind of faith rooted in hope.  Not optimism.  It is a realistic take on the necessary mindset, value system, and sense of identity one requires to be resilient.  To be realistically hopeful. 

As the former president of the Czech Republic Václav Havel — a fervent anti-Communist —once said: 

Hope is definitely not the same thing as optimism. It is not the conviction that something will turn out well, but the certainty that something makes sense, regardless of how it turns out.

Hope: the emotional cornerstone of society

For a country that has defied the odds and taken on challenges few can tackle, America is in dire need of more hope.  Almost 240,000 Americans have died from COVID-19 in less than a year.  More than 12 million people are unemployed in the country. At least 30 million of its citizens lack medical insurance. Beyond this, the global economy remains precarious as other nations try to cope with the fallout from the coronavirus pandemic. 

Discouraged from offering or receiving hugs, we all hope for a vaccine. We are not optimistic, but we are at least hopeful. 

+10 million COVID-19 cases in the United States (as of Nov. 8, 2020)

Hope: what we cling to in tough times.

Hope is foundational to why we follow leaders. It is the antidote to despair and it vanquishes fear, a common psychological tool used by authoritarian leaders. As one candidate* stated in the first debate of the US Election:  

“I will embrace hope, not fear.  Peace, not violence.  Generosity, not greed. 
Light, not darkness. I’ll be a President who appeals to the best in us.
Not the worst. I’ll be a President who pushes toward the future.
Not the one who clings to the past.”

*Guess which Presidential candidate…

Isn’t this what America wants and America needs?  What the world hopes for?

Hope: what friends have for each other

It remains to be seen which version of reality — and what kind of leadership — the majority of Americans wish to follow. They seem to have indicated their preference from the election results, but for those of us looking from outside the country (especially here in Canada), there is a profound hope that truth and sensibility will prevail.

Over the past four years, America had become estranged from longtime friends and allies. Considerable social capital has been lost and many nations have felt abandoned by a partner upon which they had depended. Candid conversations have been replaced by dismissive tweets.  Honourable behaviour, longstanding agreements, and traditional conventions have been abandoned. Trust had been broken and hope diminished.

A beacon of democracy and a force for global change, America has lost considerable respect as a result of its (mis)handling of the COVID-19 crisis.  The kind of leadership expected of such a superpower, including norms of decorum in global diplomacy, have been hard to decipher from the actions and rhetoric emanating from Washington.  The ‘America-first’ policy has turned a once proud collaborator on the global stage into a pariah nation.

Fortunately, a new hope has emerged. In the first speech given by (what would appear to be) the President-elect of the US, it was stated: 

“We will lead not only by the example of our power,
but by the power of our example.”

And so we wait…in hope.

Autumnal Lessons on Life, Loss and Hope

Autumn is my favourite season.  It offers a beautiful example of how nature transforms, and life can ‘shift gears’. During a year Queen Elizabeth may again describe as annus horribilis, fall has also become a season of mixed feelings as my father — who would have turned 89 on October 20th — recently passed away rather suddenly. 

Happiness and awe have become mixed with sadness and solemnity. As I lament the end of my dad’s life, his passing has provided some beautiful lessons about life, loss, and hope. 

Shine brightly

Toronto in September and October sees summer’s greenery give way to brilliant oranges, reds, and yellows. But as much as it is possible to enjoy an exhilarating stroll — inhaling crisp air, and lingering in the soft sunlight of the season — one knows that cold winds and barren trees are just around the corner. 

It is only a matter of time.

Out for a Christmas Day ride (2018)

And so it was with my father.  A vigorous, healthy man, he rode his bicycle just about any chance he had right up until the moment he died.  He loved his rides early in the morning from his home in Ottawa through the nearby forests and fields.  He would observe the plants and animals, and indulge his senses in all nature had to offer.   

Throughout his life, my father lived with great gusto.  From his love of food to his enthusiasm for birdwatching and travel, he embraced the world around him.  Music was one of his passions and he pursued it up until his final days.  An active member of the Ottawa Choral Society for decades, he sang and traveled with the choir, enjoying trips to exotic locales and receiving much praise for their performances. He loved choral music and especially playing the organ, a talent he developed as a boy attending an exceptional school in Cape Town, South Africa.  

Regularly seen with a camera in his hand, my dad was also an avid photographer. Slide shows were part of my childhood and I remember them fondly, the projector hypnotically clicking from one image to the next. Many of his pictures were moments in which he had captured the beauty of a bird or the foliage of the fall. Nature was his muse, his place of worship. 

But my father’s time came, like they do for the leaves of the trees. Right up until the end, he shone brightly.

Share and grow 

A highlight of the fall is the kaleidoscopic carpet of leaves it presents. A blanket of beauty upon the forest floor, only visible for a short time.  But leaves, in all their splendour, are not simply garments for the trees. They sustain nature’s mysterious web of life.

Attending our wedding in South Africa (2012)

And so it was with my father.  Siring two boys and a daughter, he raised a family across two continents.  He provided for us and cared for us, ensuring we were safe, fed, and educated.  From these three children, five grandchildren have emerged: bright, adventurous, and each one unique as the trees in a forest.

Throughout his life, dad regaled us with tales of triumph, youthful folly, and humorous missteps. As a child, I fondly remember snuggling in bed as he shared stories of ‘Broken Toe’ the lion, and read Jock of the Bushveld in his deep, booming voice. Peppered with many accents and antics, he always entertained us. 

Over decades of living my father made many friends. From his schoolboy days to the times spent working and studying in Johannesburg, Dublin, and Montreal, he amassed a great collection of characters who speak fondly of him. 

Sadly, many of these friends have passed away. May those who remain share and grow his legacy.

More hope and awe

During autumn, one can lament the loss of summer, but also look forward to the joy of snow and most especially, the new beginnings offered by spring. Fall is a time when life and death co-exist. Beauty shines through in the face of decay. 

Playing the organ at St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church, Ottawa

And so it was with my father. As a Christian, he had committed his life to God in the belief that upon dying, he would enjoy eternal life with his Father in heaven. He never feared death. Rather, he anticipated unimaginable glory and wonder. Psalm 139 is one of the readings my father requested for his funeral, from which verses 17 and 18 stand out for me:

“How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand—when I awake, I am still with you.”

As much as my father had a great appreciation of nature, his relationship with God was one of awe. There was a hopefulness in his faith and a sense of immeasurable love innate to his Creator. I believe that even in his later years, as much as old-age frustrated him, my dad possessed a profound patience in anticipation of celebrating life after death. 

In the mixed-up world in which we currently reside, hope remained an emotional cornerstone for my father. While love may very well be the emotion that protects, trusts, and perseveres, it is hope we cling to in tough times. Hugs are currently discouraged, but we all hope for a vaccine.  While we may not fully understand what is happening around us, we all hope sanity prevails in a world that has seemingly gone mad.

And so it was with my father. From death emerges life.  Amid loss there is hope. 

I look forward to autumns ahead and all the new beginnings and lessons they may offer.

———

A memorial for Dr. Sholto Fletcher Cole will take place on November 7, 2020 in Ottawa and online.

Job-Hunting in the time of COVID-19

Apparently the average time spent per month on LinkedIn is just 17 minutes. I probably spend at least that amount of time on the platform before 9am!

At the centre of my world over the past few months, LinkedIn has become like a second wife to me. With algorithms feeding me a steady diet of posts from people and organizations I follow, the platform keeps me up-to-date on the world of work, various companies, and topics of interest. Jobs for which I’m qualified float onto my homepage and into my emails like the sweet smell of homemade muffins, tempting me to apply. Beyond the teasing availability of interesting jobs, there are even confidence-inducing tools to help prepare for interviews. 

What’s not to love?!

I must be honest though. It’s been a long slog. Headwinds from the COVID-19 fallout have made the task of finding work challenging. In the current environment, there are simply more fish in a smaller pond. Recently, this has started changing, but slowly.

As much as LinkedIn is the go-to online professional network, one can sometimes feel like a needle in a hay stack amid more than 706 million individuals vying for the millions of job openings listed by a plethora of companies.

So how does one differentiate oneself from others?

Getting LinkedIn 

LinkedIn claims that more than 75% of people who recently changed jobs used the platform to “inform their career decision”. In terms of the efficacy of the platform in landing a job, according to a 2017 study (is there not something more up-to-date?), 122 million LinkedIn users received interviews as a result of a LinkedIn job posting, and 35.5 million people were hired by a person they connected with on LinkedIn. 

With 100 million job applications submitted through LinkedIn every month (a figure I suspect has doubled during the pandemic), I believe that who one connects with on the platform is as important as applying for jobs. Certainly having an up-to-date profile is critical to making oneself as appealing as possible to a potential employer, but from my experience, linking up with people and having them refer you seems to be the ‘secret sauce’ in the hiring process.

Referrals are the engine of the co-called ‘invisible job market’ where it is said 80% of available roles reside. Which is to say LinkedIn probably represents 20% of all available jobs. So if a position is advertised on the platform, getting on the radar of hiring managers and/or decision-makers in the hiring process should be one of the most important things to do. 

In essence, LinkedIn makes windows of opportunity available, but in order to succeed on the platform, knocking on these windows is not enough. One has to learn to open them. More specifically, it means having others act as window openers.

The keys to unlock these metaphorical window are ‘insiders’; individuals who are directly part of the hiring process or who have influence over it. 

My LinkedIn Social Selling Index (SSI)

Getting to know SSI

Apart from securing referrals, it is important to put one’s best foot forward. To this, I recently checked out my Social Selling Index (SSI)*. If you’re not familiar with SSI, it’s a measure from LinkedIn that measures how proficient one is at establishing a professional brand, building relationships / finding people to connect with, and providing engaging insights. While it is mainly a B2B tool for sales people, it can be a useful guide in determining one’s effectiveness on the platform. 

My current SSI is 74. What this means is:

• My professional brand is pretty well developed with a rating of 19.76 out of 25. This is the extent to which I’ve established myself as a thought leader by including interesting content on my profile, posting high-quality information relevant to my followers, and securing endorsements from connections on LinkedIn. 

• My networking score is adequate at 15.61 out of 25, but it probably indicates that I can do a better job of using LinkedIn’s search tool and connecting with second-degree connections, as well as those who search my profile. 

• The third component of the SSI metric is the extent to which one offers insights when engaging on the platform. In my case, I have a passing grade (13.17 out of 25). I suppose this means that I need to do a better job of sharing relevant content, contributing clever comments, and being an active member of LinkedIn Groups pertinent to my profession of corporate communications. 

• The last SSI measure is building relationships, and here I am doing well. Fortunately, it’s something I do naturally, and hopefully, it means I’m doing a good job of establishing trust with decision-makers on LinkedIn. 

Connecting Virtually

Leveraging a network starts with building a network. Networking during pre-COVID days included informational interviews over coffee with individuals at companies one might be targeting, as well as attending events where one could meet in-person. These face-to-face opportunities are far less common nowadays so tapping into virtual networking tools is essential. 

My LunchClub profile

One networking platform that caught my attention recently is LunchClub (thanks to an invitation from Justine Greenland Duke). Offering online introductions to relevant people using AI, the service curates 1:1 video meetings that it facilitates on a weekly basis. Apart from inputting one’s interests, one can share ‘conversation starters’ such as “I’d like to learn about…”, “top-of-mind for me…”, and “My side hustle…”. One also indicates personal objectives in using the service, ranging from exploring new projects, to meeting interesting people, to getting to know other companies. 

AddI’ve met some interesting people through LunchClub and now that Google Meet, Zoom and WebEx are a normal way to meet, face-to-face encounters seem to be less important than they once were. Give it a try. 

LunchClub scheduling

The journey continues and my connections continue to grow. As I remain focused on securing the right role, I continue to follow the ABC Principle: “Always Be Connecting”…;-)

What have been your LinkedIn learnings? Any stories or tips to share regarding the process of job hunting? I’d appreciate hearing them. 

*To check out your SSI you need to be logged into your LinkedIn account and then follow: https://www.linkedin.com/sales/ssi

The O’Brien Factor

Peter O’Brien

My friend Peter O’Brien is a ‘day brightener’.  He’s one of those people who - if you encounter him during the course of a day - consistently complements the moment with his wit, forthrightness, and good humour.  I’ve run into him a few times in the area (otherwise known as his ‘hood), including today, following an early morning stocking up on quarantine essentials at a local shop.

Peter and I met when I was president of the Toronto chapter of the McGill Alumni Association, back in the early 2000s.  We spontaneously reconnected when I returned to the city last year and keep running into each other, which always results in a fantastic impromptu chat.

A talented communicator, as well as an adept marketer, fundraiser and author, Peter has published seven books.  Based on this, one might infer that he is a highfalutin intellectual, but Peter is, in fact, a very down-to-earth gentleman who also happens to have been a ‘roughneck’ on an oil rig during his career. Deeply engaged with various arts, environmental, and educational institutions, Peter is currently the Director of Communications, Marketing & Development at the Glenn Gould Foundation.  (For those who are not familiar with this famous Canadian pianist, read up.)

Quite simply, Peter is a Renaissance man, but just a little shorter in stature than you might expect. 

In speaking with Peter today, I was once again reminded of his fantastic enthusiasm and brilliant mind.  Working where he does, he pointed out how “we’re in Glenn Gould’s time”. Indeed, Gould was a serious germaphobe and someone who used to hole himself up in his mid-town Toronto apartment for long stretches of time. Basically, he didn’t enjoy people - an interesting perspective to have had as a professional pianist. He is quoted as having said at one point: “I detest audiences - not in their individual components, but en masse I detest audiences.” Gould was, however, fond of animals. 

I must say that I am rather tired of the long arching walks that strangers make to avoid me on the sideway. (Is it because I don’t wear a face mask?) Some even wait at the end of the aisles in grocery stores for fear of passing by me with their trolley and penetrating the 6-foot ‘radius of safety’. Which is why it was so wonderful to have a good ‘chin-wag’ with an old(er) friend. It reinforced to me the importance of face-to-face conversation and the nuances of this kind of communication.

Technology is helpful during this time of self isolation and social distancing, but Zoom is merely a conversational abstraction. Personal, one-on-one interaction is unmatched. It’s where one can appreciate another, in person: the whole person, together with laughter and learning. Semantic nuances, an individual’s unique personality and characteristic facial expressions - including a smile - can’t be missed ‘in the flesh’.

I long for this kind of human engagement to return. Thank you, Peter.

Life is...

Mother Teresa

Life is an opportunity, benefit from it.
Life is beauty, admire it.
Life is a dream, realize it.
Life is a challenge, meet it.
Life is a duty, complete it.
Life is a game, play it.
Life is a promise, fulfill it.
Life is sorrow, overcome it.
Life is a song, sing it.
Life is a struggle, accept it.
Life is tragedy, confront it.
Life is adventure, dare it.
Life is luck, make it.
Life is too precious, do not destroy it.
Life is life, fight for it.

“Order” vs. “Liberty”: A Constitutional Contrast

We all know that actions speak louder than words. But it’s important to remember that  all actions start with words. Whether spoken, written, or tweeted, words matter, especially those from the mouths of prominent leaders.

During these strange times, language is the critical tool used by leaders to persuade, compel, cajole, and dictate to us how we might collectively cope with COVID-19. Amplified by media and social networks, words can pacify populations and placate capitalists, or they can do the opposite. As leaders face unprecedented challenges, some seek guidance from historic texts, the utterances of generations past, and laws that set out the parameters for action.

Canada vs. America 

When it comes to the Coronavirus, the differences in wording between the Canadian and American Constitutions reveal a curious contrast in how each country’s governments have responded to the current crisis. Section 91 of Canada’s Constitution contains the phrase “peace, order and good government” to define the Parliament’s lawmaking authority in relation to provincial authority. America’s famed Declaration of Independence refers to “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” as unalienable rights.  

Specifically, there are two words in the above phrases that reveal much about the psyches of these countries: “order” and “liberty”. The more I think about it, the two seem the opposite of one another. The former is about control and alignment under the direction of authority. The latter implies free will and the right to do as one wishes. 

Order and Following Orders

As we all find ourselves in the ‘New Abnormal’, we have a Canadian Prime Minister (with a minority government) doing his best to combat the crisis, with the Premiers (responsible for healthcare in the provinces) toeing the line and respectfully doing what needs to be done, according to medical and public health experts. At a business level, large Canadian companies were quick to respond to the crisis with emails like the following (sent on March 22) from the head of personal and commercial banking at the country’s largest bank, assuring clients that they will follow government’s lead and be guided the advice of medical experts:

“These are trying times. But you can take comfort in the expertise of our public health officials, the coordinated response of our provincial and federal governments and the strength of our financial system. We’re here for you and will be in the days and weeks ahead. We are committed to helping Canadians get through this.” 

Sounds like order and unity to me.  

Liberty and Liberating Neo-liberals

Contrast this with the U.S. President who, in addition to vacillating between denial, blame, and outright untruths, has lashed out against the WHO, put forward supposed cures, entertained conspiracy theories, and claimed that his country’s economy will soar “like a rocket ship” once the coronavirus pandemic is over.  America’s governors and mayors in some of its biggest states and cities, respectfully, continue to plead and fight for support in the face of misinformation and - some have argued - inadequate support.  Due to the slow response of their federal government, efforts to thwart the coronavirus were impeded, and now several states are now bandying together to try and rectify an untenable situation.  

Last week, Mr Trump reposted a tweet suggesting it was “Time to #FireFauci”, referring to the federal government’s top infectious diseases expert. On the same weekend, one of America’s largest pork processing plants shut down, but only after 238 workers tested positive for the coronavirus, more than half of the active cases in the state of South Dakota, where the factory is located.  And this week, it seems that the term “liberate” has taken on a whole new meaning as mixed messages continue to be tweeted from the White House, fomenting sections of the population to fight for their Second Amendment rights and question the authority of their state officials.

Honesty, Humility, Empathy and Grace

Fortunately, there are leaders who continue to stand tall, understanding the nuances of liberty and the importance of respectable order. On Tuesday, former U.S. President Obama released a video in which he endorsed Joe Biden as the Democratic party’s top candidate for the 2020 Elections.  In an elegant speech he shared these poignant words: 

“…if there is one thing we have learned as a country from moments of great crisis, it is that the spirit of looking out for one another… has to be reflected in our national government, the kind of leadership that is guided by knowledge and experience, honesty and humility, empathy and grace.”

Let’s hope these leadership attributes soon return to America’s highest office.

Gratitude: 52 Friendships

Relationships make the world go round. Just as the Earth has a gravitational relationship with the sun and the moon, each of us has a multitude of relationships that have formed who we are. From teachers to parents to colleagues, there are many people who have touched our lives.

In 2020, one of the intentions I set for myself was to practice gratitude more consistently. Rather than quietly contemplate it as part of a morning meditation, I’ve decided to be more proactive and public in my ‘practice’ of being grateful. My inspiration came from a TED Radio Hour podcast ‘Approaching with Kindness’ in which I heard about author AJ Jacobs who went on a journey to thank all the people responsible for his morning coffee.

Touching base (face-to-face) in 2020

I’ve put together a list of 52 relationships for which I’m particularly appreciative. Apart from writing something complimentary about each of these people, I have also committed to speaking with each of them during the course of 2020 - some of whom I haven’t been in touch with for years - to express my gratitude to them, ideally in a face-to-face conversation, or at least, a phone call.

The fact is, social media can make one a lazy friend. It’s too easy to ‘catch up’ with a ‘like’ here and a comment there. But that is not a relationship. And as someone who’s moved back to Canada after 12 years in South Africa, I have seen how social media as developed into such a superficial form of socializing.

While the busyness of life, geography and changes in circumstance have created some distance in these relationships, all 52 of these people are special people to me. They have invested their time, attention and energy in being someone who has supported me or simply been great to be around.

These are the 52 friendships for which I am grateful. Speak to you all…soon!

Tim Adams Dean Bajramovic Dan Baxter Andrew Bennett Dan Benoit Greer Blizzard Kevin Bon Simon Borchert Scott Brownrigg Alan Chumley Chantelle Cole Douglas Cole Nicola Cole Monika Conway-Wight Dave Cotton Amy Cowan Jacques Cronje Julian Diaz Gillian Drewett Paul Durrant Stephen Gardner Pieter Geldenhys Andy Harrison Katie Horton-Murray Brian Lambie Fred Leclezio Madeline Long-Duke Nici Malamoglou Anne-Marie Marais Leanne Mitchell Matt Aspiotis Morley Nicola Nel Fraser Parker Fico Pastor Peter Pound Vuyisa Qabaka Bob Ramsay Lee Rath Stuart Rothgeisser Nic Searle Sean Shannon Eduardo Shimahara Alister Smuts Nicole Sochen Johanna Stamps Clare Thomas Paul Tomes Mike Valiquette Leon Verheem Steve Williams Sevag Yeghoyan

Job Hunting in Toronto

A new city, a new life. That’s the thinking in coming to Toronto, Canada’s biggest city and the financial centre of the country. With my LinkedIn profile up-to-date, a polished up CV and a new suit, I have ‘put myself out there’. As a job hunter I can say there are three priorities when seeking employment: 1) Work your network; 2) Strategically attend events; and 3) Use LinkedIn wisely.

Work your network

While one may not be working, the best first step is to get in touch with friends and colleagues from previous positions to ‘test the market’. Hear from them on where they think opportunities may lie, some of their perceptions of the job market and insights into agencies, companies and leaders in different sectors in which they work. If you’re interested in a particular company that they either work at presently or previously, ask about the people, the culture and various positions at the firm. Enquire as to how they landed their job, whether they know any good headhunters, and even if they’re aware of any organizations looking for specific talents and experience.

In effect, you’re interviewing those in the market about opportunities that may be available. It is a strategic way to capture ‘on the ground’ information and if an opportunity does manifest itself, receiving a first-hand recommendation (ideally face-to-face or on an email) via a friend, is the most powerful way to have your name elevated among considered candidates. Such ‘insider recommendations’ are alway useful, so pay attention to this feature on LinkedIn (see below).

Strategically attend events

This is also a tactic to learning about the local market, but in a way that could payoff handsomely. If you look for events in your industry or at least industries and/or trends of interest, sign up and go! Sometimes events are free but generally there is a nominal cost to network and learn. And once you’re there, make the most of it, talking to strangers, from the organizers to the attendees to yes, even the speakers/panelists.

Face time and a handshake are often underestimated in their impact. Make yourself memorable with smart questions, a passion for the focus of the event, and a coherent understanding of who you are and what you’re looking for. Whether you meet an industry expert or a student new to the sector, be friendly, engaging and curious. Apart from being polite, you never know who that person knows…but you won’t unless you open your mouth and bother to say something. And if you end up landing an interview, make sure you reference attending events relevant to the interviewer (i.e. those that may show your interest in a particular industry or expertise in a certain trend).

Use LinkedIn wisely

The #1 platform for work-related networking is a very useful tool, but only if it is ‘employed’ to its potential. A few tips to make the most of it:

- Follow industry leaders and companies of interest and post on your feed your insights and comments about content they may be sharing. Even better, write an original post and share your own content, tagging in those you’re like to notice, like and share it.

- Sign up for LinkedIn Premium. It gives great insights and you can always downgrade when you’re employed. While ‘between jobs’, invest in this tool to see in which jobs you’re the top applicant (based on your profile), view a detailed breakdown of salaries by (per industry, company size, education level and field of study), and analyze hiring trends and employ-relevant stats from different companies.

- Take some courses on LinkedIn. While they are a relatively new feature on the platform, there is a diverse array of topics to study while you’re looking for a job. As you complete courses and learn new skills, put them on your CV and/or LinkedIn profile. Lifelong learning is mandatory if you’re going to get ahead - let alone keep up - in today’s economy. Pick up important terms and equip yourself with knowledge and insights that may set you apart from other candidates.

Bitter-sweet 16th

Today will be a month since we left South Africa to start a new life together, in Toronto, Canada. Twelve years have passed - to the day - in which I have lived in the excruciatingly beautiful country, apparently one of Africa’s richest and most promising nations.

It was also the 16th of December back in 2006 that I arrived in the Cape Town, following a two-month sabbatical in South America*. I had flown on a one-way Air Malaysia flight from Buenos Aires, Argentina, having backpacked through four countries (Peru, Bolivia, Brazil and Argentina). Ostensibly ‘back home’ - as I was born in the Mother City (one of Cape Town’s nicknames) - to see my family and then to fly off to continue my travels.

Then, I fell in love with the city.

It’s not difficult to imagine.  Cape Town is undeniably attractive and can easily seduce visitors with her plentiful vineyards, extraordinary beaches and vistas that take your breathe away. The city is regularly at the top of ‘best destinations to visit in the world’. In fact, it is one of the most revisited destinations in the world with travellers returning regularly, some entranced enough to stay.

South Africa is a country of contrasts and these are glaringly apparent in Cape Town: wealth and poverty, kindness and cruelty, beauty and wretched depravity. But if one has the means to choose where you visit, the city offers unprecedented accessibility to a range of experiences, from camping in dusty deserts to walking barefoot in lush gardens. Within half an hour one can go from shaking the white-gloved hand of a hotel doorman to saying “cheers” to locals at bring-your-own-meat-and-drinks to shanty town braai (barbeque).

Smiles aplenty & hospitable locals

It also helps a great deal if you get to know some locals. Fortunately for me, I did meet some wonderful Capetonians, who welcomed me into the city and the way of life that one can enjoy in and around the city.

Failing this, a good resource for finding out what’s what in the Mother City is CapeTownMagazine, a local website that has about a 50/50 split between locals and foreigners (Dutch/Germans, mainly) among its audience.

 Some years later, I also fell in love with an extraordinary woman, who eventually became my wife, another reason I dearly love Cape Town.

* I had produced a blog of this experience, but the platform I used went out of business and in doing so, all my photos and posts were lost.