Stumbling Blocks

09/21/2026

It’s interesting what happens to us when the pressure goes up.

Some of us start talking faster. Some start doing everything ourselves. Some jump from one solution to another. Others get very quiet.

I’ve watched this happen with teams, and I’ve certainly noticed my own patterns over the years too.

What about you? What do you tend to do when everything suddenly feels urgent?

09/18/2026

Sometimes we spend a lot of energy solving the wrong problem.

Something goes wrong and we immediately start fixing whatever we can see. But what looks like the problem might only be the result of something else.

Maybe expectations weren’t clear. Maybe there are too many priorities. Maybe someone is missing a skill they need. Maybe a process that used to work doesn’t anymore.

One question I come back to is:

What is actually getting in the way?

Even a short pause to answer that can save a lot of wasted effort.

09/17/2026

One of the things I remember from my television days is watching the control room during a live show.

There was so much happening at once—monitors, cues, conversations, decisions, people trying to keep everything moving.

What struck me was that the people who were really good at it didn’t look frantic. Everything around them was moving quickly, but they were deliberate. They paid attention and dealt with one thing at a time.

I’ve thought about that many times since. Pressure doesn’t always mean we need to move faster. Sometimes we need to slow ourselves down enough to think clearly.

01/27/2025

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/public-speaking-breakthrough-february-14-2025-tickets-1031362802907?aff=oddtdtcreator
If you're ready to get past your public speaking stumbling blocks and become an engaging presenter please join me at the Public Speaking Breakthrough seminar on February 14.

Get Past Your Public Speaking Stumbling Blocks and Become an Engaging Presenter. Join Award-Winning Coach Barbara May in Person for 3 Hours.

10/03/2024

I'm super excited about my Engaging Leader Breakthrough retreat on October 22-24.

Are you ready to elevate your communication and leadership skills? Here are three impactful ways I can support your journey: Leadership Communication Coaching: personalized coaching sessions that are tailored to transform your communication and leadership abilities. Engaging Leader Breakthrough Retr...

05/04/2024

Registration is now open for my Public Speaking Breakthrough seminar, which will be held in the classroom at my new office in St. Albert on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, from 1 to 4 p.m.

Get Past Your Public Speaking Stumbling Blocks and Become an Engaging Presenter. Join Award-Winning Coach Barbara May in Person for 3 Hours.

03/25/2024

I'm looking forward to an amazing 3 days helping managers and supervisors become Engaging Leaders.

Gain 100% Confidence in Your Ability to Communicate Effectively from the Breakroom to the Boardroom in 3 days without Stress or Overwhelm!