Growth | Coach David J. Greer

Looking After Myself

Post author:David Greer
Post published:November 15, 2018
Post category:Growth
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I was parked at the beach sitting in my car having just finished a half-hour phone call. In front of me stretched the ocean views of English Bay. Across the bay the North Shore Mountains stood out in sharp relief to the deep blue sky. The sun was shining overhead while people walked or ran along the path in front of me. Nothing was booked in my calendar for the next thirty minutes. The task master voice in my head told me to drive off and get working on the next thing on my list. After a few moments, I put on my sunglasses, opened the car door, stepped out, and went for a walk, fully taking in the beautiful day that was right in front of me.

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Challenged on to the Stage

Post author:David Greer
Post published:July 17, 2018
Post category:Growth
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While I was still a computer science student at the University of British Columbia, I joined a young software startup called Robelle, named for the two founders Robert and Annabelle. I was the first employee.

As a requirement of my employment Bob and Annabelle insisted that I had to write my first technical paper, submit it to the 1980 International Hewlett-Packard General Systems User Group, and if accepted travel to the conference to present my paper.

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When Fear Shows Up

Post author:David Greer
Post published:June 21, 2018
Post category:Growth
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A couple of years ago, I was face-to-face with my fears. My wife Karalee and I were in Santa Cruz for a conference with my long-time technology friends where we spent the weekend collaborating and discussing the future of technology and innovation. The conference ended Sunday afternoon, after which Karalee and I had a nice drive, followed by dinner. We turned in for the night, ready for an early morning start to return to Vancouver.

All seemed copacetic until I was awakened at 4:00 am by the sound of running, shouting, and hitting all right under the window of our ocean facing hotel room. Then there was silence for a few minutes. Then I could hear a voice calling out quietly from the street below “Help me.”

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Giving Back

Post author:David Greer
Post published:May 16, 2018
Post category:Community Growth
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The evening was dedicated to celebrating the 50^thanniversary of the Department of Computer Science at the University of British Columbia. All around me were other award recipients. My heart skipped a beat as I heard my name called out to come on stage to receive a service award for my work over the years with the department.

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Synergy

Post author:David Greer
Post published:March 22, 2018
Post category:Growth Leadership
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When a group of people get a sailboat to sail to its full potential, such as when you are racing, you have to come together. This is my definition of synergy–the cooperation of two or more people to create something greater than the sum of the individuals.

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