--- title: The ViRTUS Leadership Journal | Mike Desjardins (3) description: We help leaders develop the emotional intelligence and leadership capabilities they need to grow and thrive. We help senior teams create strategies that are inspiring, executable, and that drive real outcomes. Read our thoughts on the latest in Leadership Development. (3) --- [Skip to content](https://blog.virtusinc.com/virtus-inc-leadership-journal/author/mike-desjardins/page/3#main-content) [![Logo-Black-Square-4](https://blog.virtusinc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Logo-Black-Square-4.png?width=250&height=250&name=Logo-Black-Square-4.png)](https://virtusinc.com/) - [Home](https://virtusinc.com/) - [Approach](https://virtusinc.com/approach/) - [About Us](https://virtusinc.com/about/) Show submenu for About Us - [Team](https://virtusinc.com/about/team/) - [Culture](https://virtusinc.com/about/culture/) - [Clients](https://virtusinc.com/about/clients/) - [Impact](https://virtusinc.com/about/impact/) - [Expertise](https://virtusinc.com/expertise/) Show submenu for Expertise - [Leadership Development](https://virtusinc.com/expertise/#leadership-development) - [Creative Strategic Planning](https://virtusinc.com/expertise/leadership-development/) - [Leadership Topics](https://virtusinc.com/expertise/sessions/) - [Journal](https://virtusinc.com/journal/) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [Home](https://virtusinc.com/) - [Approach](https://virtusinc.com/approach/) - [About Us](https://virtusinc.com/about/) Show submenu for About Us - [Team](https://virtusinc.com/about/team/) - [Culture](https://virtusinc.com/about/culture/) - [Clients](https://virtusinc.com/about/clients/) - [Impact](https://virtusinc.com/about/impact/) - [Expertise](https://virtusinc.com/expertise/) Show submenu for Expertise - [Leadership Development](https://virtusinc.com/expertise/#leadership-development) - [Creative Strategic Planning](https://virtusinc.com/expertise/leadership-development/) - [Leadership Topics](https://virtusinc.com/expertise/sessions/) - [Journal](https://virtusinc.com/journal/) - [Connect](https://virtusinc.com/connect/) [Connect](https://virtusinc.com/connect/) # Articles by Mike Desjardins Apr 24, 2013 7:30:57 AM ## [Use the Force: The Art of Boardroom Influence](https://blog.virtusinc.com/virtus-inc-leadership-journal/journal/use-the-force-the-art-of-boardroom-influence) One thing you learn quickly when you work in a large organization is that positional power doesn’t... Apr 8, 2013 9:59:39 PM ## [LEGO Serious Play Methodology](https://blog.virtusinc.com/virtus-inc-leadership-journal/journal/lego-serious-play) A large portion of our team spent the day today planning out the future of our business using the... Feb 28, 2013 11:00:20 PM ## [The PROFIT500](https://blog.virtusinc.com/virtus-inc-leadership-journal/journal/the-profit500) Every year, PROFIT Magazine turns successful entrepreneurs into the heroes of Canadian business... Dec 10, 2012 11:50:00 PM ## [Biv Boardroom Strategy: What Does It Really Mean to Think Strategically?](https://blog.virtusinc.com/virtus-inc-leadership-journal/journal/biv-boardroom-strategy-a-strategic-plan-for-cultivating-strategic-corporate-thinking) One of the things CEOs ask consistently is how they can foster more [strategic thinking](https://virtusinc.com/expertise/sessions/) in their... Dec 5, 2012 6:21:24 AM ## [What if Money Didn’t Matter](https://blog.virtusinc.com/virtus-inc-leadership-journal/journal/what-if-money-didnt-matter) I believe in the message in this video to my core. Oct 25, 2012 12:50:22 AM ## [Business in Vancouver, Ask the Expert: How Do I Keep Meetings Focused?](https://blog.virtusinc.com/virtus-inc-leadership-journal/journal/business-in-vancouver-ask-the-expert-how-do-i-keep-meetings-focused) Here’s a possible framework to structure weekly team meetings within your business and keep them on... Oct 11, 2012 12:10:02 AM ## [Is Being the Smartest Person in the Room Getting in the Way of Your Growth as a Leader?](https://blog.virtusinc.com/virtus-inc-leadership-journal/journal/is-being-the-smartest-person-in-the-room-getting-in-the-way-of-your-growth-as-a-leader) I can remember back to the first business I ran: I was new to a [leadership role](https://virtusinc.com/expertise#leadership-development) and everyday I... Sep 19, 2012 12:50:45 AM ## [Biv Boardroom Strategy: Creativity: Are You Building It or Crushing It?](https://blog.virtusinc.com/virtus-inc-leadership-journal/journal/biv-boardroom-strategy-creativity-are-you-building-it-or-crushing-it) **When it comes to creativity, fear of criticism, judgment, of taking risks and putting your...** May 23, 2012 12:50:08 AM ## [Biv Boardroom Strategy: Focusing on Past Corporate Success to Build Future Success](https://blog.virtusinc.com/virtus-inc-leadership-journal/journal/biv-boardroom-strategy-focusing-on-past-corporate-success-to-build-future-success) An enormous amount of time and energy gets devoted to solving problems within organizations, all... May 3, 2012 12:50:07 AM ## [Biv Boardroom Strategy: Candid Realities About Business’ Dirty Little Secret](https://blog.virtusinc.com/virtus-inc-leadership-journal/journal/biv-boardroom-strategy-candid-realities-about-business-dirty-little-secret) In an effort to avoid conflict, leaders and [team members](https://blog.virtusinc.com/about/team/) often conceal their true feelings,... [1](https://blog.virtusinc.com/virtus-inc-leadership-journal) [2](https://blog.virtusinc.com/virtus-inc-leadership-journal/author/mike-desjardins/page/2) [3](https://blog.virtusinc.com/virtus-inc-leadership-journal/author/mike-desjardins/page/3) [4](https://blog.virtusinc.com/virtus-inc-leadership-journal/author/mike-desjardins/page/4) [5](https://blog.virtusinc.com/virtus-inc-leadership-journal/author/mike-desjardins/page/5) # ViRTUS Inc. Mailing Address: P.O. Box 3166 Vancouver, BC V6B 3X6 | P: 604.519.7000 | F: 604.648.8320 | E: info@virtusinc.com © 2026 ViRTUS Inc.