Tara Robertson, CPCC, PCC's Recent LinkedIn Posts

I had a panic attack at work. Here's what my body was trying to tell me. I hung up from a Zoom call and burst into tears. I couldn't stop crying. My heart was racing. I was sweating. I was having trouble breathing. I texted my wife. She texted back: "I think you're having a panic attack. Stay there, I'm coming." I replied: "Oh, I'm fine." I was not fine. I'd been traveling a couple of times a month and working across many time zones with no real boundaries. I was not taking care of my body with sleep, exercise and proper nutrition. I was not stepping back from the work to check in with how I was doing mentally and emotionally. I was doing equity work, which is deeply tied to my life's purpose, and I thought that passion would sustain me. It didn't. My therapist helped me see I had connected my identity with my output. Underneath that was people pleasing and shitty boundaries. When you stop honouring your values, your body will eventually make the decision for you. In my private podcast, I share the full story including my values that I was betraying. Can you guess what some of those values are?

1000 people have invited me into their inbox so far. If you enjoy my content here on LinkedIn I invite you to check out my biweekly newsletter where I share: - resources (this week they're about death, dying and grief) - Rupture and Repair - a regular section about how we fix things after we mess up - the stuff I'm up to. The next one goes out tomorrow. Sign up link in comments. What other newsletters would you recommend? Me: - Ruchika T. Malhotra - Elaine Lin Hering - Dr. Janice Gassam Asare, (Ph.D.)

What a delight to hear Karen Hao in conversation with Naomi Klein at the Chan Center last night. I loved her metaphor that AI is like "transportation", a broad category of things that encompasses both bicycles and rockets. Taking a rocket to the corner store isn't the most efficient or effective mode of transportation. Just like ChatGPT/Claude/Grok isn't the most useful type of AI for solving specific problems like "how will this protein fold?" (but AlphaFold is). I'm pissed off at the lack of leadership from Canadian lawmakers around AI. I've been yelling at the news a lot lately. Just like cigarettes we can't ask the tobacco industry to propose how to be regulated. It's the responsibility of politicians (and their expert teams) to set safety and data privacy standards. My question "If you were advising lawmakers in Canada on AI legislation, what would you say?" got voted up and Naomi Klein asked it. Karen Hao had 2 pieces of advice: 1. We need to break up the existing empire by increasing transparency of the supply chain of AI development. We should know what data is going into the data models, know where and how they're trained, how much water is going into data centers is being used at each facility, where AI is being adopted and used. All of these things should be public knowledge. 2. We need to think about a creative and innovative vision. There aren't that many ethical AI tools to use as an alternative. Canada has everything we need: AI hubs, researchers, startups and ingenuity to push this forward. What advice would you give The Honourable Minister Evan Solomon?

At my gym, when you get a personal best you ring a bell. At yesterday's Olympic lifting competition there were a bunch of PRs, including me! I know from leadership coaching that most of us have trouble slowing down to celebrate our wins. I also know that when we do it gives us perspective on our hard work and a boost of energy to keep going. I know I'm excited for the next lifting workout. What are you celebrating?

At my gym, when you get a personal best you ring a bell. At yesterday's Olympic lifting competition there were a bunch of PRs, including me! I know from leadership coaching that most of us have trouble slowing down to celebrate our wins. I also know that when we do it gives us perspective on our hard work and a boost of energy to keep going. I know I'm excited for the next lifting workout. What are you celebrating?

The world feels fucked up, probably because it is. I'm not going to list all the things, because I think we all know what's going on and most of us are titrating the news so we don't get overwhelmed. This weekend I doom scrolled and found myself overwhelmed and numb (oops). Connecting with moments that felt alive for me helped me thaw and reconnect with people I'm close to and then broader communities. When I read Dori Tunstall's newsletter I realized I had also been micro-dosing on joy by: - connecting with a friend who was visiting from out of town - walking in the forest with my wife and dog - eating a grilled pork bahn mi - going to see my first professional women's hockey game with a group of women from my gym (we lost to Toronto, but it was such a good vibe) - feeling the sunshine on my skin Community and nature help me unfreeze and to start to feel alive again. What is a moment where you were micro-dosing joy?

Em and I came up with a creative way to set intentions and focus for spring. I'll be sharing more about the activity as well as the seeds that I'm planting in my life tomorrow in my newsletter. Link to sign up is the comments below. What seeds are you planting?

"Are you f*cking kidding me?" is one of my values. I've never seen it listed on a values worksheet, but I don't think I'm the only one who holds this value. "Are you f*cking kidding me?" is about (me, other people, environments) honouring my value and what I bring to the table. In the last week I've had a couple of requests to speak at large organizations for free for International Women's Day. Those requests step on this value and I heard myself muttering this phrase out loud. Several years ago Jeff Jacobson CPCC, PCC coached me around values. The big takeaway for me was that the words or phrases only needed to make sense to me and they could be weird. It was liberating and really useful. "Are you f*cking kidding me?" as a value was surfaced in that session. Here's some of my values: - Choose your own adventure. - 出発進行 (your values don't need to be in English) - I can do hard things. These are also my values: - community - learning - reciprocity Values are so important. They are an inner compass that can help guide your choices, work and life. I launched a private podcast yesterday called Inner Compass. I share the stories of one of my best days at work, and one of my worst. There are 3 short (3-4 min) episodes. Link in comments. What is one of your values?

The world feels fucked up, probably because it is. I'm not going to list all the things, because I think we all know what's going on and most of us are titrating the news so we don't get overwhelmed. This weekend I doom scrolled and found myself overwhelmed and numb (oops). Connecting with moments that felt alive for me helped me thaw and reconnect with people I'm close to and then broader communities. When I read Dori Tunstall's newsletter I realized I had also been micro-dosing on joy by: - connecting with a friend who was visiting from out of town - walking in the forest with my wife and dog - eating a grilled pork bahn mi - going to see my first professional women's hockey game with a group of women from my gym (we lost to Toronto, but it was such a good vibe) - feeling the sunshine on my skin Community and nature help me unfreeze and to start to feel alive again. What is a moment where you were micro-dosing joy?

There are so many things that I want to learn. Here's some of the professional development I want to do: - Leadership Circle - group and systems coaching with CRR Global - Hogan Assessments - The Kind Lab with Jeff Jacobson CPCC, PCC and Nina Simonds, MCC, CPCC, ORSCC - Deep Democracy (in person in Vancouver with Aslam Bulbulia and Navida Nuraney) - Enneagram - more mediation classes at Justice Institute of British Columbia - meditation classes - Thai cooking Time and money are limiting factors. What professional development are you interested in for 2026?

There are so many things that I want to learn. Here's some of the professional development I want to do: - Leadership Circle - group and systems coaching with CRR Global - Hogan Assessments - The Kind Lab with Jeff Jacobson CPCC, PCC and Nina Simonds, MCC, CPCC, ORSCC - Deep Democracy (in person in Vancouver with Aslam Bulbulia and Navida Nuraney) - Enneagram - more mediation classes at Justice Institute of British Columbia - meditation classes - Thai cooking Time and money are limiting factors. What professional development are you interested in for 2026?

I never imagined my voice would have such a wide reach. The numbers are impressive, but what matters most to me are the people I've met here. I feel lucky to have developed professional relationships that have resulted in collaborations and work. I've also connected with people over ideas and become friends and some of us have met IRL. It's been a joy to be able to reach out to people I admire professionally and ask about their work and to have people reach out to me to say that my writing made them feel seen and gave them tools to navigate a work situation in a different way. If you get value from what I share, I invite you to sign up for my bi-weekly newsletter. Link in comments. What has been something good for you on this platform?

I signed up for my first Olympic lifting competition this Saturday. I was looking at the signup thinking "oh Saturday is really soon" and "I'm not sure I'll do very well" and then I heard Jenny Baker, PhD, CPCC, ACC voice in my head "I dare you to it!" I have a goal to snatch 135 pounds this year, and my first competition is a great chance to find out where I'm at now and how far I have to achieve this goal. Also: eeeeeeeeep! What's something that you've said yes to that's scared you a little bit? (or a lot?)

I did my first Olympic lifting competition yesterday! I snatched 90 pounds and got a personal best!!! I missed my goal of 100 pounds but I know I'll get the timing right very soon. Before the competition I felt a combination of 80% excitement and 20% fear, which is a good place for me to be. During the competition I had so much fun. The vibes were very supportive and it was really fun to hang out with the people at my gym who love barbells. Today, one day after the competition, I'm starting to distill all the things I'm learning: - how to warmup - when to warmup - what a good progression of weights in competition looks like I'm really fired up to continue Olympic lifting classes and hone my technique and continue to get stronger.

This morning I removed someone from a small group I was facilitating. They didn't do anything offensive, but they weren't really there. Their camera and mic were off. They didn't introduce themselves, even after a couple of invitations. I put them in the waiting room and sent them a message saying that it didn't seem like they were there and if they wanted back in to rejoin. They didn't. My spidey sense was that they were recording the meeting. It was uncomfortable for me to do, and it was in service of the group to do it. We wanted a space for honest conversation and real connection. Having someone lurking doesn't help create those conditions. As meeting hosts we have a responsibility to the group. Afterwards I remember one of Priya Parker's new rules of gathering: Make Purpose Your Bouncer. How have you made purpose your bouncer for a gathering?

Last year I piloted the seasonal goal check in idea. I did it as a 1:1 offering. Here's what the two participants had to say: Brie said: I loved my seasonal coaching check-ins with Tara. The timing of the check-ins - during equinox/solstice - provided a meaningful moment to reflect and transition from one season to the next. These sessions helped me gain perspective and develop strategies for answering questions I had in both life and work. I'd recommend this to anyone who is looking to purposely carve out time during the year for reflection and growth. Alexander Agent said: Together we explored and changed with the seasons in my business and in my personal life, leading to healthier relationships with my work, my body and self, money and power dynamics, relationships, and so much more. I loved thoughtfully rooting into the creative fun and sweat of Summer, the hearty soups and teas of Winter, the busy gathering and sowing of Autumn, and the cheerful cleansing and blossoming of Spring. I am so excited to begin another year and four more seasons with Tara (and Em) in my corner. Both Brie and Alexander signed up to do it in the group format this year. We start next Friday on the Spring Equinox. This is your invitation to join us.

Laugher is good medicine. One of the highlights from my week was going to an online "meeting" with Erin Throlopolis. I so needed to laugh. The way that she takes the piss on corporate norms makes me realize that it's not that normal. She takes the jargon (like circle back, portal, lanyards, pivotal) and overuses it in a way that is hilarious and makes me recognize "oh, that's not necessary and reminds me of how language is used in ways to remind people that they don't belong." I love her in this interview on Vibe Check with Saeed Jones and Zach Stafford. What was the best part of your week?

Have you been putting off having a hard conversation at work? What's the cost to you of continuing to not have that conversation? - stress, the quality of your sleep? - lack of alignment that's slowing your team down? - you staying stuck in old stories that are holding you back in your leadership? - something else? I bet the cost is much more than the $300 that Sarah Bierenbaum charges for a Conversation Starter coaching session. You know if this is for you. Link in comments.

I just hit send on: "Starting Friday: something a little different". Check it out and subscribe to get everything I'm making.

Connie Buna is my realtor and friend. They are in the top 1% of realtors in Canada. I really admire how they show up in the world. Just over a week ago the Musqueam Indian Band signed an agreement with the Government of Canada. These agreements establish frameworks for shared governance and incremental implementation within Musqueam traditional territory. This is a big deal and great news! However I've seen more coverage about BC adopting permanent daylight time than this landmark decision. I've seen a lot of blatant racist comments on news sites and social media. Many people were falsely saying that this means Musqueam are coming to take their private property and homes. I love that Connie spoke up about this and shared their expert opinion that this not true. They are in full support of this agreement. I've linked their video in the comments. On their website Connie says they're about expertise, integrity, inclusion and community. This video is an example of how they live these values. Image from indigenous.tv on Instagram.

When Em House and I started brainstorming about what we want Seasons of Change to be we were both excited to build something that's creative and stretches what hosting a seasonal group on Zoom could feel like. One of the ideas we came up with was a digital postcard to get people starting to think, feel and dream before the live session. I just put the finishing touches on the spring one, that goes out on Monday. I think it will delight and start to build a collective vibe before we start next Friday. If you're on the fence about joining, now is the time to make a decision. Em and I both think that yeses and nos are sacred. If you're a no, I 100% respect that. If you're a yes, it's time to register (if you haven't) already. If you're a maybe, what do you need to know to make your decision? Reach out in the comments or my DMs.

I hate to admit but sometimes I'm that guy who is shouting at the radio. I am frustrated at the way the government (both provincial and federal) and the news is framing ChatGPT's responsibility in the Tumbler Ridge shootings. The shooter's mental health issues were already known. They were known by the police. There is a lack of mental health supports in large cities like Vancouver. As someone who grew up in the North I know there's even less there. It's not like the systems needed a ping from ChatGPT, it had already been reported that there were some major issues. Communities need resources and funding for mental health supports. I'm also shouting at the radio when I hear provincial and federal politicians talking about negotiating with industry about AI regulation. Our government doesn't negotiate with the tobacco industry about a mutually acceptable level of safety, they legislate safety standards. I want to see more leadership from our elected political leaders. Anyways, Alexandra Samuel, Ph.D. says it much better than I do. Read her excellent article in the comments.

I always value what Alexandra Samuel, Ph.D. has to say. I heard her give this interview on CBC Radio and she is spot on. I hadn't considered this perspective. It's especially concerning with government cuts to mental health services. Also: we need strong government legislation on AI in Canada. Asking the industry to come with solutions is silly.

This weekend in Vancouver the sun was out and it felt glorious. Winter is coming to an end – It’s time for the parts of us that have been hibernating to wake up. Spring Equinox is March 20th, and that’s when Seasons of Change kicks off! What did you dream up in winter? The ground is fertile and ready to get started. What seeds are you planting now? What is starting to grow in your life?  We'll meet four times at the changing of the seasons to keep growing the things that matter most to us. Seasonal 90 minute online group coaching sessions will be a combination of solo, small group and large group work that will include talking, movement, and other creative activities. Questions? Reach out in my DMs. What signs of spring are you noticing?

Seasons of Change, an online group coaching program to help grow what matters most to you through the seasons, starts next Friday on the Spring Equinox! So far we have 24 people registered. Collectively, we live in Toronto, New York, Geneva, Washington, Victoria, Minneapolis, Seattle, Cleveland, Berkeley, North Vancouver, Vancouver, Markham, Philadelphia, Franklin, Boston and Baltimore. We have a good weave of people. There are 10 spots left. This is for you if…. - You are creative and adventurous and delight in the mystery of things that are unfolding - You want to be seen and to witness others - You believe in collective healing and liberation - You are craving something human, real and perhaps a little messy This is probably not for you if…. - You don’t like experiential practices or woo stuff - You don’t want to go deep  - You only want 1:1 coaching (both Em and Tara offer this too) Tickets are $365 for the four 90 min live sessions, a creative digital postcard before each session and a seasonal, experiential engagement with your purpose and dreams. If this stirred up something in you, but you have a question or two, reach out in my DMs.

Spring is just around the corner. What's waking up for you? Share in the comments.

This weekend I’ll be watching the Strongwoman livestream from The Arnold. It's inspiring and so much of this fascinates me (for starters, the sheer power and athleticism, gender presentations, and everyone’s tattoos). This is a very sweet moment where Inez Carrasquillo, last year’s winner, is congratulated by one of the announcers, Mark Henry. Mark first asks "what does this mean to you?" Then he says "I want you to take it in. In my life I missed a lot. I didn't get to absorb the crowd. I want you to take it in. You're the world champion." The way he slows her down to be present in her moment got me all teary. His care is so beautiful. As a coach I get to do this with clients. To slow them down and witness them celebrating their wins. Many people are uncomfortable with this. I do this to help clients really see their impact, which in turn helps fill their cup. Check out the clip: https://lnkd.in/g6QwyA2g

Today is the spring equinox! What are you growing in your world? Share in the comments below.