AC Coaching

10/07/2026

Smiles, leadership and lunch 🥗

A reminder that conversations about leadership don’t always have to happen in formal settings.

The work can be complex. The conversations can be thoughtful. And there can still be room for connection, a healthy lunch and a smile along the way.

Grateful for the relationships built along the way.

10/06/2026

When immediate business pressures consume attention, succession can become something to address “later.”

Often, what gets postponed isn’t the plan itself. It’s the conversations that need to happen before a meaningful plan can take shape.

I think of this as succession paralysis: the present requires so much attention that important questions about the future remain unresolved.

Succession readiness doesn’t require having all the answers. Sometimes it begins by creating enough space for the right conversation.

10/05/2026

Re-introducing myself after a few weeks of silence.
I’ll fill you in soon!

Clarity, with care is what I bring across all domains I offer and share with others.

My name is Amanda Calzolaio. I am an Executive Team Coach and a Mediator who works across industries and business types.

Let’s talk.
Amandacalzolaio.com

08/12/2026

What a week of conversations, connections and learning across agriculture & food leadership.

On the farms.
In the conference rooms.
In conversation.

Grateful to AgCareers, I Hotel and Illinois Conference Center and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and to everyone (too many amazing folks to name) who shared their perspectives, experiences and questions throughout the week.

Across the Executive Forum and the keynote experiences I presented, a few important questions kept surfacing for me:
✨ What keeps us motivated when the path ahead is uncertain, and how does understanding that help us navigate challenges together?
✨ How do we continue to work well together when pressures, complexity and conflict increase?
✨ What happens when the conditions that help people work well aren't the things we routinely strategize for, or measure?

These aren't simply questions about employee engagement or workplace culture.

They are leadership questions.

Because strengthening leadership starts with understanding what drives us, and creating the conditions for people to communicate, make decisions, navigate differences and work well together, particularly when the pressure is on.

The future of work in agriculture, and beyond, will undoubtedly be shaped by technology, markets and changing workforce demands.

And it will also be shaped by how well we lead people, and ourselves, through them.



Watch the highlights: https://www.instagram.com/reel/Db8VYVexi4G/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==&igsi=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

07/29/2026

We had a great time last week presenting on and the fatal flaws to avoiding making during the journey.

Great turn out and connections made. Special thank you to Navjot Halton Business Halton Region Shivali Discover Burlington, Joshua Futurpreneur and the great team at TechPlace.

07/27/2026

Thank you to Halton Business Discover Burlington Futurpreneur Canada for inviting me to present on and the fatal flaws to avoiding making during the journey.

Great turn out and connections made.

Yesterday, entrepreneurs from across Halton came together at TechPlace in Burlington for another successful Halton Small Business Centre Networking Series event!

Thank you to everyone who joined us to connect, share ideas, and build meaningful relationships within our local business community. We also extend our thanks to Amanda Calzolaio for sharing valuable insights on succession planning, as well as Discover Burlington and Futurpreneur for helping make this event possible.

A special shoutout to our Summer Company students who shared their entrepreneurial journeys and provided attendees with a closer look at their businesses. Thank you for showcasing your hard work and passion!

For more information about our services or to register for one of our upcoming events, visit: https://ow.ly/cuRk50ZrXah

07/27/2026

Workplace civility doesn’t begin with a policy.
It begins with a conversation.
✨ The way we ask questions.
✨ The way we listen.
✨ The way we disagree with respect.
✨ The way we choose curiosity over assumption.

Recently, during a team engagement, I invited a team to create conversation starters they could use with one another at work.

Not scripts.
Not perfect responses.
Just simple ways to begin the conversations we often avoid.

Some of my favourites were:
💬 “Can I check my understanding?”
💬 “Help me understand your perspective.”
💬 “Can we slow down for a moment?”

Sometimes, a few thoughtful words are all it takes to shift the direction of a conversation.

And over time...
Those conversations shape relationships.
Those relationships shape culture.
And culture shapes how people experience work every day.

These are the workplaces I leave behind every organization I support:
🙌 Grounded in respect, not assumptions.
🙌 Where kindness and accountability exist together.
🙌 Strong enough to navigate pressure and uncertainty.
🙌 Willing to work through conflict instead of avoiding difficult conversations.

Better conversations strengthen relationships.
They improve decision quality, build trust, and increase confidence.
And that’s where healthier teams and organizations begin - or begin again.

Choose clarity, with care.

Where would choosing clarity, with care, change the conversation this week?

06/29/2026

Grateful to Halton Region Halton Business Discover Burlington Futurpreneur for the invitation to present on succession along the business journey and highlighting the common ‘fatal flaws’ that can quietly undermine long-term continuity.

Looking to connect and expand your network?!

Join the Halton Small Business Centre Networking Series, presented in partnership with Discover Burlington and Futurpreneur! This free event is a great opportunity for entrepreneurs across Halton to connect, share ideas, and build meaningful relationships within the business community.

We’re pleased to welcome Amanda Calzolaio as our keynote speaker, sharing insights on Supporting Businesses with Succession: What You Need to Know and the Fatal Flaws to Avoid. This session will explore why succession planning starts earlier than many expect, along with practical strategies to strengthen leadership, improve communication, and position your business for long-term success.

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to grow, you’ll have the chance to exchange insights, expand your network, and learn from fellow business owners, all in a welcoming and collaborative environment.

Date: Wednesday, July 22, 2026
Time: 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Location: TechPlace, 5151 New St, Burlington

Register today: https://ow.ly/b3aQ50ZelJB

06/26/2026

Grateful to the Transworld Business Advisors team of Ontario for inviting me to discuss the human side of M&A. We explored why good deals fall apart and how understanding emotional dynamics, stakeholder interests, and communication can make the difference between a transaction that closes and one that doesn’t.

We wrapped up the day by watching Team Canada together in its FIFA World Cup match - a great way to end a productive day with colleagues.
FIFA World Cup

06/22/2026

Grateful to Halton Region, Discover Burlington City of Burlington, Ontario and Futurpreneur for the invitation to present on succession along the business journey and highlighting the common ‘fatal flaws’ that can quietly undermine long-term continuity.

Limited seats available.
Registration remains open:
https://lnkd.in/g7SfpXQM