Life seems to be made up of many dichotomies - worker or family man; accumulate wealth or focus on service; take care of your team or take care of your stakeholders. Does this sound familiar?

For some reason each of us are struggling with how to make sense of two seemingly opposing thoughts or concepts. How can I be a good father and a good employee? Am I doing what is best for my team or what is in the best interest of the stakeholders? Can I focus on my needs instead of focusing on getting more money and benefits? Can’t I do both?

I believe that it is important to be aware of these challenges and try to find a way to make them co-exist. We need to find a way to make all the aspects of our lives to become one coherent life. I am an employee, a husband, a son, a team member, and so on. These are not opposing forces that have to be controlled or put away during various activities in my life. I will not go into “worker mode” and neglect my wife. I will not do what is best for my boss and leave my colleagues out to dry.

So go out there and find concepts that seem to oppose and find ways to make them coherent.

Good luck,
Paul Heidema

Dear friend!

I know this is a busy time for you, as you prepare for a break over the Christian holidays, or just the break before the new year. For some of you, life is demanding as you seek the ‘perfect’ gift for your loved ones. Also for many of you, this is a period when you are rushed to finish all your 2009 projects and prepare/plan for 2010. Life is hectic and messy.

Fortunately Bonnie and I do not need to buy the gifts as we do not celebrate Christmas, so therefore we avoid the rush for gifts and all the running around. We do focus on spending time with our family and friends. This year Chris (son) & Leili and Paul (son) & Laila will be home over the holidays. Unfortunately Karin (daughter), Kelly, Miranda and Kendra will not be visiting. We will miss them.

What I like most about this period of the year, it is a time when I can reflect on the past year. Not necessarily about my business which is surviving, thank you God! But I reflect about me. I take time to evaluate my character, qualities, strengths and weaknesses. I am blessed for I feel I have grown in the past year. I think in some areas of my life I am a better person. Don’t get me wrong I am not perfect, I am still under construction as a human being.

What has made me a better person? You have! Whether you are an old friend or a new one. I am so happy you are in my life. We are human beings and to be human, we need interaction with one another. I don’t mean casual or impersonal interaction. I want meaningful interaction. I am thoroughly happy when I have the opportunity to interact with you via e-mail, chat, twitter, verbally or personally face-to-face.

I am going to work hard in 2010 to increase the frequency and quality of my interactions with you. I thank God for who you are and that you are in my life. The nature of our friendship should not be measured by quantity (number of times we interact) but by the quality of our interaction.

I wish you continued good health, surrounded by love, joy and happiness in your heart and soul.

All the best in 2010!

Warmest regards,
Jim

About a year ago I had the pleasure of seeing a true professional in action. The event was a surprise for my wife Bonnie. I arranged for our two sons (Paul & Chris) and their wives (Laila & Leili) to come for a visit with us in our home in Dorchester, Canada. To record the event I hired a close family friend, Tobin Smith, who happens to be a successful photographer. I observed Tobin’s attention to detail, the passion he brought to the job and the joy he shared with us to get all of us to bring out our true selves. He was amazing to watch. I learned a lot from him over a two day period. He resides on the west coast of Canada with his wife Sarah and their new son Oliver. If you want someone to capture the essence of who you are, Tobin can be contacted at www.photobinphotography.com, and share his joy, then I encourage you to visit his website.

Most business persons and businesses understand the concept of strategic alliances.  The reason to form alliances are many and varied and include such reasons like; monetary, distribution, market access, shared technology and others.  My reason for joining Berteig Consulting is a little unusual.  First reason is that I am an international consultant, trainer and coach.  My international work requires 100-150 days of travel outside North America every year.  I have been doing this for 10 years and it does not hold the same appeal it did in the beginning of the travel.   Don’t misunderstand me, I still like the travel but I pay a price physically.  So joining a reputable and successful Canadian company was appealing to me.

My second reason for the alliance is that I am very impressed with the knowledge, skills, abilities and professionalism that exists in the Berteig Consulting team. Their values were consistent with mine.  During the summer of 2008, Mishkin Berteig (the co-founder of the Berteig Consulting) and I began to investigate how we could work together.

Needless to say we hit it off.  There is mutual respect.  So I made the move to become a CSM and begin to train, coach and consult within his company.  Mishkin and I have already decided to co-write a book about Agile. I have currently written 5 books which are published in 10 languages, one of which is a best seller.  Mishkin and I hope to publish in late 2009. I will continue my international work to some degree, but my strategic relationship with Berteig Consuting will become more important in the coming months and years.

I look forward to adding value to Berteig Consulting, the team members and all of our clients.   I will do what needs to be done to insure the existing and future customers receive the best advice, coaching and training available in the Agile marketplace.   I care about the people at Berteig Consulting and will make sure they receive value from me.  There is a quote I respect … People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care!   We at Berteig Consulting care about the quality of our interactions with our customers and the results of our efforts.

James M. Heidema, CSM, CLU, CIAM
Berteig Consulting team member
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