workplace STUMBLING BLOCKS
See what's getting in the way.
Communication breakdowns. Conflict. Stress. Competing priorities. Unclear expectations. Difficult conversations.
Every workplace has stumbling blocks. They are everyday things that slow people down, strain relationships and make work harder than it needs to be.
Sometimes the problem is obvious. Sometimes it takes a little longer to see what is really getting in the way.
That's where the Stumbling Blocks Philosophy comes in.
THE STUMBLING BLOCks philosophy
Face what's true.
Feel what's real.
Fix what you can.
The Stumbling Blocks philosophy is a practical way to understand what happens when people get stuck, make sense of what is getting in the way, and figure out how to move forward.
Face it. Feel it. Fix it. And move forward—together.
keynotes
Bring Stumbling Blocks to a larger audience.
A keynote that gets people thinking, talking and laughing about the stumbling blocks we all encounter at work.
Barbara combines stories, audience participation and practical ideas to create an opening or conference session people become part of, rather than simply sit through.
team building Seminars
Team Building that goes beyond team bonding.
Some teams need a fun day together. Others need to work on communication, priorities, trust, conflict or something very specific that keeps getting in the way.
Barbara uses hands-on challenges, conversation and practical activities to create a seminar around what is happening with that particular team.
leadership training
Practical development for people who lead people.
Barbara helps supervisors and managers practise the communication, coaching, conflict, presentation and people skills they need to lead well.
The focus is not simply on understanding the skills. It is on giving people a chance to use them, talk through what happens and get better at doing them.
meet barbara
A lifetime of getting back up—and helping other people do the same.
Barbara May is the founder of Stumbling Blocks and creator of the Stumbling Blocks Philosophy.
For more than 30 years, she has worked with people in classrooms, workplaces, conference rooms and on stages, helping them communicate better, work through conflict and deal with the challenges that get in the way.
The philosophy is rooted in Barbara’s own experience. As a gymnast, she learned early that falling was part of the process. You got back up, figured out what happened and tried again. Years later, after nearly dying from massive pulmonary embolisms, that lesson took on a very different meaning.
Those experiences shaped the way Barbara thinks about stumbling blocks: face what’s true, feel what’s real and fix what you can. Then figure out what comes next.
Known for her storytelling, humour and ability to connect with a room, Barbara brings that philosophy to life in a way that is practical, personal and grounded in the realities of work.
Everyone stumbles. The important thing is what we do next.
Real People. Real results.
What leaders are saying.
“Barbara's sessions helped get conversations started about the impacts of change in a way that was fun, engaging and accessible to all who attended.”
Director, Strategic Planning Ancillary Services, University of Alberta
JOHN YOUNK
“Right from the start, Barbara engaged our group at a level that challenged us. The day moved quickly and no one was zoning out.”
BOBBI JUNIOR
Communications Coordinator, Family Solutions Group
“Barbara May effortlessly adapted her material on the fly to suit our specific needs. In a group that is hard to impress, we were all genuinely impressed by her expertise and delivery.”
FAY eAGLES
Operations Manager, Avison Young
ready to move forward?
Let's talk about your stumbling blocks.
Tell Barbara a little about your team, what’s happening and what you’d like to accomplish.
She’ll help you figure out whether a keynote, team building seminar or leadership training is the right fit—and how it can be customized to meet your needs.