McLean & Company

McLean & Company partner with organizations to create a workplace that meets today’s needs and prepares organizations for the unknown future.​

Everything we do is backed by data and best practices, so you can make informed decisions and know exactly what to do next. Our memberships are designed to provide what you need to drive the organization forward – from full-service assessments to practical action plans, impactful training, and more. ​

Visit our website to learn how we can help you create a workplace where everyone thrives.

Executive Counselor

Lambton College

As Director People and Organizational Development I was responsible for the delivery of the following corporate services: Organizational Development, Employee Relations and Strategic Workforce Planning in support of the College’s strategic directions and operational priorities.

Director - People & Organization Development (CHRO)

London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC)

As Transformation Lead for the Continuous Improvement Initiatives across LHSC – I was responsible for supporting the startup and long term success of the Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) Centre of Excellence. In this role I led the Centre of Excellence Team responsible for the the following outcomes:

1. Culture Transformation Leadership: Overall CQI transformation program management,  culture change leadership strategy, monitoring progress and sustaining the corporate improvement initiatives and the CQI management system.
2.     Knowledge Development: Maintain and evolve CQI approach and infrastructure  ensuring consistency.
3.     Leading Corporate Improvements & Coaching Support: Lead corporate CQI initiatives and develop organizational improvement capability through training & coaching. In addition, manage and support projects and provide coaching for project events and the CQI Management System.
4.     Training and Development: Develop and deliver training to all staff and support train the trainer initiatives.

Transformational Change Strategy Executive Lead - Continuous Improvement of Care

Responsible for building and leading the team of HR professionals who provided solutions-based talent management consulting services including, leadership strategy development, change management, organizational design, leadership recruitment & compensation, succession management and performance management. 

-Guided the consulting team that redesigned and implemented a standardized set of staff competencies and a new performance development process for 12,000 employees in a workplace with multiple collective agreements 

-Executed an organization-wide talent management strategy – 350 leaders are systematically evaluated and development/succession plans were created for each individual on an annual basis

-Directed the process and systems redesign to generate “Talent Management Metrics” enabling senior management to have line of sight on the necessary analytics to support the continuous improve the talent management strategy  

-Coached a team of consultants, specialists and project leaders to successfully deliver performance development and talent management programs, recruitment and management compensation services for our 350 leadership clients. 

- Trusted Advisor to the CHRO &  members of the senior leadership team on matters related to talent strategy

Senior Manager -  Talent Strategy & Organization Development

I was responsible for orchestrating the execution of a comprehensive culture change strategy designed to significantly change the patient and family experience.

In 2014, I was honoured to receive the London Health Science Centre President’s Award for Leadership for successfully leading the change management strategy.

Change Strategy Executive Lead, Patient Experience London Regional Cancer Program

GetKeepGrow inc.

Chief Talent Officer

GoodLife Fitness

Provided strategic leadership to a team of HR/OD professionals to execute the re-alignment of HR and organizational effectiveness services and programs in support of the business strategy and emerging talent requirements. (6,000 employees across Canada) Developed and directed the execution of a comprehensive human resource strategy. Provided strategic HR council to the CEO/COO/CFO and senior leadership teams. Transformed the HR function into a consultative, results-driven, customer centric service delivery team.

Director - Human Resources & Organization Effectiveness (CHRO)

Fanshawe College

Adjunct Professor Human Resources

Ontario Government

Recognized with the Ontario Public Service Award for Human Resource Management Innovation.

Senior Consultant, Organization Development/HR Strategy, Attorney General of Ontario

Mayne Nickless North America

Regional Senior Manager

Mayne Nickless North America 

Major Account Manager

National Operations Manager

A strategic human resources leader & leadership coach with over 25 years of bringing people-focused solutions to the most niggly business challenges to achieve results. With experience across the spectrum of HR practices, David’s specialities include:  talent management, executive coaching, process improvement, organizational change and transformation and leadership development.

Dave cofounded “get keep grow inc” a  Canadian employee engagement and retention professional services corporation.




Please note views and opinions expressed are my own and do not represent the views of my employer

David McLean

The most essential skills for 2030?:
They’re not just technical. They’re strategic.

 Jeroen Kraaijenbrink shared this helpful original post and infographic:

This chart from the World Economic Forum shows what employers expect to matter most by 2030.

In the upper-right quadrant—skills that are both core today and expected to grow in importance—we see:

-> Analytical thinking
-> Resilience, flexibility & agility
-> Leadership & social influence
-> Motivation & self-awareness
-> Creative thinking
-> Systems thinking
-> Curiosity & lifelong learning

These aren’t niche capabilities. They’re the core drivers of strategy in action.

Yes, technological literacy, AI and data skills matter too. But the bulk of what’s rising isn’t just technical—it’s about how people think, adapt, lead, and execute in a changing world.





Acknowledgment: original post reposted here and infographic by Jeroen Kraaijenbrink  



#chro #hr #ceo

“If you can define the problem differently than everybody else in the industry, you can generate alternatives that others aren’t thinking about.” - Roger L. Martin, The Opposable Mind: How Successful Leaders Win Through Integrative Thinking

The following is an original post by Jeroen Kraaijenbrink: 
 
The most powerful ideas are born in paradox.
Between creative and logical thinking. 
Not “either-or” but “both-and.”

When solving complex problems, we’re often told to “be creative.” Other times, the advice is to “be logical.” But the real challenge is that both are necessary and that they often pull in opposite directions.

Creative thinking (divergent) asks us to open up possibilities.
It pushes us to explore, question assumptions, and imagine without limits.

Logical thinking (convergent) asks us to narrow down.
It pushes us to test, synthesize, and focus on what is feasible.

Too much creativity without logic, and ideas remain fantasies.
Too much logic without creativity, and solutions are incremental at best.

The paradox is that real progress requires holding both modes at once. First expanding the field of vision, then zooming in with sharp focus.
It’s not “either-or.” It’s “both-and.”

That rhythm—divergence and convergence—is how possibility becomes progress.

Do you apply both types of thinking in balance? Or do you overemphasize creative or logical thinking?

Acknowledgment: Visual: Timothy Timur Tiryaki, PhD  

===
Announcement: Jeroen Kraaijenbrink is about to launch the Big 5 of Strategy—a research-based framework that helps people build the core strategic competencies needed to thrive in today’s fast-changing world. The assessment goes live in two weeks, but you can already join the hundreds of people already on the waiting list at big5ofstrategy.com to be among the first 1000 participants.

Do you want to build an elite team?
And create meaning at work?

What follows is a repost of an original post by Oliver Aust  

It's not magic. It's the power of rituals.

Rituals can help you build a team that’s more connected, engaged and driven.

A team that feels meaning. 

This week on Speak Like a CEO, I speak with renowned psychology professor Michael Norton of Harvard Business School. 

Michael is the author of The Ritual Effect, and he shares how smart leaders use rituals to shape their organizations from the inside out.

Here are 7 powerful insights:

🔹 1. Beyond the Surface: Rituals aren't just about fun activities; they forge a shared identity, purpose, and values that define your company's DNA.

🔹 2. More Than Habits: Rituals are imbued with emotion and meaning, creating a sense of connection and purpose that habits simply can't match.

🔹 3. The Power of "We": From team chants to company-wide traditions, rituals create shared experiences that bind people together and foster a powerful sense of belonging.

🔹 4. From the Bottom Up, Not Top Down: The most effective team rituals arise organically, reflecting the team's unique culture and values. Empower your people to create them!

🔹 5. Meaning in the Everyday: Discover how rituals can transform your workplace culture, injecting meaning into daily routines and making employees feel more connected to their purpose.

🔹 6. The Ritual Advantage: Learn how rituals can enhance team performance, improve communication, boost morale, and even reduce employee turnover.

🔹 7. Craft a Culture of Connection: Discover how to create an environment where meaningful rituals can flourish, strengthening your team's bond and driving organizational success.

His insights are pure gold for all leaders who are serious about creating a workplace where people feel valued, connected, and inspired.

🎧 Tune in to the full episode (link in comments).



📌 And follow Oliver Aust  for more strategies on leadership and communication.

PET-Xi Training

Part of the Online team giving outstanding customer service and engagement, communication and building a rapport with the client.

 I am responsible for delivering Maths from KS3 to KS4 .   It involves delivering the topic in a fun and engaging way to give the learner confidence and self belief.

Online Tutor

Curricular Tuition Ltd

Delivering Maths to learners online from around the UK.  It involves creating a structured tutoring plan to enable the student to have confidence in attempting tests, exams etc.  This in turn gives them self belief.

Teach Me 2

Part of the International Learning Strategist Team. Giving outstanding customer service and engagement, communication and building a rapport with the client.

 I am responsible for creating a tutoring plan for students who are based around the world.  It involves fact finding and then putting a strategy together that the student or the parent are happy with. Then creating a sales package that reflects the strategy and to finalise the sale.

Learning Startegist International Team 

Global Banking School

Responsible for GBS HND across 3 locations Manchester, Birmingham and London.

Working with a team of Programme Managers to give students a fantastic experience during their studies as well as managing, planning, improving compliance and process while following all regulations set by governing bodies and the executive board.

Responsibility for Prevent delivery, training and staff awareness in line with current guidelines and company policy.  Acting as the responsible person for the day to day operation of the campus with the Centre Manager.

Head of Programme Management

Programme Manager for all courses responsible for all students on all BA, HND and MA courses .  Being the students first point of contact from induction to completion of courses.

Student Engagement Manager

Key Responsibilities and Achievements
•	Created the role after seeing a need for a position in the company that deals with the day to day operations of the training team as well as communication across the business. 
•	Set KPI’s for the team, 3 Team Leaders and myself based on National KPI’s.
•	Training and development of 3 Team Leaders and 4 Senior Lead trainers in line with succession planning.
•	A multifunctional role that incorporates everything from business management, project management and implementation, operations and process management, quality control and analysing programme impact.
•	Analysed data to determine functional requirements, elaborating on success rates of quarterly targets to assess the functionality of in-house process and systems to set the direction of the business, and support its implementation.
•	Creating engaging and innovative training/development plans for lead trainers whilst providing opportunities to team members to develop their skills and knowledge.
•	Developing, implementing and delivering different courses for learners and the team.
•	Responsible for the implementation of assessment days targeted at senior level recruitment and assessing candidate’s viability for employment.
•	Improved All Staff Feedback from 60% to 89%. 
•	A proven troubleshooter; highly skilled in problem resolution, even at a moment’s notice.

Senior Team Leader

•	Managing and developing a team of 100+ lead trainers, experts and support team members for both full time and sub-contracted staff.
•	Responsible for delivering courses to young learners at GCSE or years 7-10, engaging them in various subjects including Maths, English, Science and MOS (Microsoft Office Specialist).
•	Solely responsible for delivering both GCSEs & GCSE equivalents to students through intensive, motivational programmes, tailored to the needs of the individual students, supported by interactive learning platforms, developed and designed in-house.
•	Highly flexible; meeting demands in schools and for learners across both England and Wales.
•	Creating engaging and innovative training/development plans for lead trainers whilst providing opportunities to team members to develop their skills and knowledge.
•	Delivering informative introductory presentations to school, parents, learners and other providers; assisting in the networking/business development to promote company growth. 
•	Responsible for the implementation of assessment days targeted at senior level recruitment, and assessing candidate’s viability for employment.

Team Leader

As a lead trainer I am responsible for delivering both GCSEs & GCSE equivalents to students through  intensive, motivational programmes, tailored to the needs of the individual students, supported by interactive learning platforms, developed and designed in-house.

Lead Trainer

TREEHOUSE INTERNATIONAL

Outline: Treehouse International School enables children to have an individual and stimulating education in a warm family like environment.
Key Achievements:
•	Teaching history, science and geography to Grades 5, 6 and 7
•	Coordinating daily lessons and devising chapter tests
Key Responsibilities 
•	Managing additional tuition for students with an aptitude for the subject
•	Providing ongoing support and encouragement to students who are below average
        Developed and mentored new starters.
        Jointly co-ordinated summer programmes, events and extra school activities.  This included costs.

Teacher/Operational Support

BERLITZ LANGUAGE CENTRE

Outline: Berlitz Language Centre provides lessons in English as a foreign language.
Key Achievements:
•	Creating and delivering business seminars to local and international businesses
•	Actively influencing the organisation by attending regular business meetings and providing 
	ideas for future seminars
Key Responsibilities 
•	Delivering monthly seminars on various subjects including; Writing emails, self presentation, 
	team building, recruitment and CV screening
•	Promoting Berlitz Language Centre’s services to businesses and establishing what type of 
	business communication would be of benefit to them
•	Coaching, developing and mentoring new teachers

Teacher and Seminar Speaker

Edinburgh Woollen Mill

Outline: Edinburgh Woollen Mill offers customers quality products and brands at an affordable price.
Key Achievements:
•	Responsible for the development and success of 29 stores and 2 catering units
•	Management of 50 Store and Deputy Managers, including training and ongoing development
•	Successfully recruited staff at all levels and designed induction programmes for new starters
•	Influenced the CEO of EWM on franchising opportunities within the Co-operative organisation
•	Managed negotiation and implementation of EWM’s agreement with the Co-operative
•	Developed commercial training programmes encouraging best practice which were rolled out
across all areas within the group and used as a resource for HR across the business
Key Responsibilities 
•	Reviewed, developed and delivered monthly Manager’s meetings including training 
	opportunities, forums, networking, discussion groups and inviting guest speakers to 
	encourage best practice, knowledge sharing, driving business and increasing revenue
•	Attended stake holder meetings discussing visual merchandising and reviewing future store 
	design

Area Manager

HANNAH CHARLES JEWELLERY LTD

Outline: Hannah Charles Jewellery Limited is a Leeds based independent jewellers.
Key Achievements:
•	Managing four areas of the business; Recruitment, Staff Management, Training and 	Development
Key Responsibilities 
•	Liaised with suppliers and partners, effectively negotiating contracts and legal contracts

Operations Manager

Cricklewood

Outline: Matalan is a totally unique out of town retailer, committed to providing outstanding value for money.
Key Achievements:
•	Management of more than 50 staff instore, their ongoing training and development
•	In collaboration with the HR Manager ran regional recruitment days
Key Responsibilities 
•	Overseeing the day to day management and operations of a large out of town store

Store Manager

A highly accomplished self-motivated Operations Manager with extensive teaching, coaching, development, mentoring and training experience.  Able to devise and deliver clear objectives to drive results. Utilising a naturally confident and nurturing mindset, allowing for strong working relationships to be forged and developed at all levels. Outstanding analytical skills with the ability to interpret and simplify complex data, presenting and reporting key information both effectively and efficiently. Highly experienced in time management and process management in addition to the development and implementation of innovative ways to promote engagement. Key strengths include Project, Area, Customer Service and Operations Management, with a keen eye for detail whilst maintaining the bigger picture

taplio

The Battle

David McLean

Richard Caplin

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance ScoreDavid McLean's LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

taplio

The Battle

David McLean

Richard Caplin

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}David McLean's LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

Performance ScoreDavid McLean's LinkedIn Performance