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I N C L U D E S 5 B OT T L E S
ight now, the weather is just about perfect, which will make the next three weeks absolutely ideal to enjoy the best leaf peeping in Canada - there’s truly no better time to take in the beautiful landscape this country has to offer. Which brings us to one of the biggest reasons to love fall yet: Thanksgiving! One of our favourite holidays is fast approaching. Not only are we thankful for our incredible clients we’re also thankful for the friends and family we can share these festive Fall days with. When most people think about Thanksgiving, they think about the large feast. Of course, no Thanksgiving is complete without turkey, pumpkin pie, and all of the fixings. But what about what it really means to be thankful? Thanksgiving is a time for reflection, gratitude, and celebrating with friends and family. This year, we want to focus on giving back. We hope you’ll join us in supporting your local food bank. We will be supporting the food bank with Pumpkin, Pecan and Apple pies to share with locals in need of a sweet treat this Thanksgiving. We express gratitude to all our supporters who have referred new clients to us this year. The Covid crisis has presented many housing challenges and we were ready and willing to help all our clients in need of a change. If you know anyone else we can assist this year, as always we are never to busy for your referrals. Best regards,
Theresa Baird - Broker The Realty Group 647-298-0997 A year later, still a happy buyer. “ I give thanks every day that I live in this house. You have not matched a family to a new home better than us to this house. In the past year, I have easily walked the trail behind the house over 100 times. I have the space to be outside and lots of outlets for my love of working with my hands. The kayak shack is nearly done, next up will be some Muskoka chairs. I have three great places to fly my drones within a 20 minute walk and I found new friends with our neighbours. Thanks again.“ - Matt
CONTENTS S E P TE M BER ISSUE 2021
6 6 8 9 11 14 16
28
4 WAYS CANADIAN THANKSGIVING IS DIFFERENT FROM US THANKSGIVING They may look the same but are actually quite different
SNEAK PEEK 1267 Dorval Drive in Oakville
SNEAK PEEK 80 Port Street East in Mississauga
CHOCOLATE PUMPKIN PIECAKEN A true Thanksgiving treat
OUTSTANDING OPPORTUNITY 65 Port Street East, #313 for lease
BREATHTAKING LUXURY LIVING 72 Cumberland Drive in Mississauga
30 21 23 25 26 28 30 34 36
SNEAK PEEK 64 Aruthur Street in Guelph
RISING COST OF GAS HEATING Why heating your home is going to be more expensive
PRE-CONSTRUCTION OPPORTUNITY The Mason at Brightwater and The Shores of Port Credit
LIVING IN THE SUNNY SOUTH Stunning home in Bonita Springs
THERESA RECOMMENDS The perfect apple pie
7 STEPS TO BEING A BETTER LISTENER Learn some of the best ways to communicate
BAILEYS APPLE CHAI PIE Special for this holiday season
MEET THE TB REALTY GROUP If you’re looking to buy, sell or invest, we’re here to help
The
Realty Group
PHOTO CONTEST
All around us we see beauty and colour. From the flowering in spring to the vibrancy of summer. Stunning colours in autumn to the stark beauty of winter. We would love to see your beautiful photos from in and around your neighbourhood. Submit your favourites to admin@tbaird.com and we will post the top 3 in our next issue.
Happy Shooting!
4
WAYS CANADIAN
THANKSGIVING IS DIFFERENT FROM
AMERICAN THANKSGIVING Story and photo from The Editors on www.almanac.com/content/ways-canadian-thanksgiving-differs-american-thanksgiving from September 3rd, 2021
C
anadian Thanksgiving and American Thanksgiving may look similar at first glance, but there are a few things that set these two fall festivities apart.
1. CANADIAN THANKSGIVING IS IN OCTOBER - AND ON A MONDAY That’s right! Canadian Thanksgiving happens a full month and a half before American Thanksgiving, on the second Monday in October (Monday, October 11, 2021). Since the beginning of the Thanksgiving holiday, its date has moved several times - from mid-week in April to a Thursday in November - until 1957, when the Canadian government officially declared that Thanksgiving would occur on the second
Monday in October. This ensured that Thanksgiving and another Canadian holiday, Remembrance Day (November 11), would no longer overlap.
how Canadian Thanksgiving came about? In fact, the first Canadian Thanksgiving may have even pre-dated the Pilgrims’ big meal.
Today, Canadian Thanksgiving lines up with Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples’ Day in the United States, which are also held on the second Monday in October.
The tradition of Thanksgiving originated with the harvest festival - an autumnal celebration meant to show appreciation for the bountiful harvest of the season. However, Canadian Thanksgiving was originally less about celebrating the harvest and more about thanking God for keeping early explorers safe as they ventured into the New World.
2. AMERICAN AND CANADIAN THANKSGIVING HAVE DIFFERENT (BUT SIMILAR) ORIGINS Everyone seems to know the story of the first American Thanksgiving in 1621, but do you know
In that sense of “thanks-giving,” the earliest report of such a dinner dates back to 1578, when English explorer Martin Frobisher and his crew held a special meal to thank God for granting them safe passage through northern North America, into what is today the Canadian Territory of Nunavut. The first Thanksgiving after Canadian Confederation didn’t happen until April 1872, when the holiday was observed to celebrate the recovery of the Prince of Wales from a serious illness. Today, the tradition of Thanksgiving has come full circle, and it’s primarily seen as a time to gather the family, mark the start of autumn, and celebrate the good food of the season. 3. THANKSGIVING IS A LITTLE MORE LOW KEY IN CANADA Thanksgiving is one of the biggest holidays of the year in the United States—with huge parades, massive feasts, and football - but it’s decidedly lower key in Canada. Although the holiday is still widely celebrated in Can-
ada and is a statutory holiday in most of the country*, Canadians’ approach to Thanksgiving is a bit more laid back. (*The exceptions are the Atlantic provinces, where the holiday is an optional day off, and in Quebec, where the holiday isn’t as popular overall.) Thanksgiving in Canada involves families coming together to eat turkey and celebrate the harvest, but relatives don’t tend to travel as far across the country like they might in the United States. And because the holiday takes place in early October, the weather is usually still suitable for a Thanksgiving Day hike or vacation—a tradition that many Canadians readily take part in ahead of the long winter. Plus, because the holiday falls on a Monday, the Thanksgiving feast may instead take place on Saturday or Sunday. Although you might expect hockey to take the place of traditional Thanksgiving Day football, football is part of Thanksgiving tradition in Canada, too. Each year, the annual Thanksgiving
Day Classic double header is broadcast nationwide, wherein four teams from the CFL (Canadian Football League) play for Thanksgiving glory! 4. THERE’S NO HUGE POST- THANKSGIVING SHOPPING CRAZE Love them or hate them, Black Friday and Cyber Monday have become a big part of the Thanksgiving season in the United States. In Canada, however, there’s no real post-Thanksgiving shopping craze, since Christmas is still so far off. This gives Canadians the chance to focus purely on celebrating the beauty of early October and the harvest! That being said, no one can resist a good sale for long: in recent years, Canadian stores have started to participate in November’s Black Friday and Cyber Monday, too. Especially in 2020, with the surge in online shopping, retailers may seize any opportunity to promote consumer activity around the holidays. In the end, no matter how, when, or where you celebrate it: Happy Thanksgiving!
SNEAK PEEK
1267 Dorval Drive Oakville
STUNNING EXECUTIVE TOWNHOME IN GLEN ABBEY
This elegant executive townhome is tucked away in Forest Ridge, just steps from the prestigious Glen Abbey Golf Club. Featuring 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms and a spacious double car garage, this gorgeous home is a must see. Just steps from golf courses and the walking trails that run along the Sixteen Mile Creek.
SNEAK PEEK
80 Port Street East, Mississauga PENTHOUSE LIVING BY LAKE ONTARIO
Gorgeous 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom Condo will be coming on the market soon! Are you considering making a move but still want to be in the heart of the city? Then this might just be the condo for you! Call us and arrange your own private showing before it hits the MLS.
BEHOLD THE
Chocolate Pumpkin
Piecaken!
By Tessa Huff. Photos and story as seen on www.foodnetwork.ca/baking/blog/behold-the-chocolate-pumpkin-piecaken/ from October 4, 2017.
T
ender, luscious layer cake with silky buttercream, or spiced pumpkin pie with a flaky crust? Both are equally delicious in my book. Luckily, you don’t have to choose just one. That’s right - this cake actually has an entire pumpkin pie baked right inside! Consider it the “Turducken” of desserts. Yet another thing to be thankful for this holiday season.
CHOCOLATE PUMPKIN PIECAKEN When you just can’t choose between serving a pie or cake, satisfy your cravings for both with a piecaken! Whip up your favorite cake batter and throw in a pre-baked pie, and you’ll feel like a confectionery wizard in no time. In this recipe, we’ve taken a traditional pumpkin pie and baked it within a classic chocolate cake. The cake is then iced with lightly spiced buttercream, drizzled with chocolate glaze,
and decorated with dollops of frosting and chopped nuts for extra flair. The buttercream is meringue-based, meaning it’s silky smooth and not overly sweet like other frostings can be
perfect for pairing with pie! We love the striking contrast in this combo between the pumpkin, chocolate and vanilla layers, but feel free to swap in any of your favourite cake recipes and pies. For the Chocolate Cake Prep Time: 20 minutes Bake Time: 60 to 70 minutes Total Time: 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 hours, including cooling Serves: 10 to 12
CHOCOLATE CAKE INGREDIENTS 1 pre-made pumpkin pie (7 to 8 inches in diametre) 2 cups all-purpose flour 2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar 1 1/3 tsp baking soda 1 tsp baking powder 1 tsp salt 2 large eggs 1 cup sour cream 1/3 cup vegetable oil 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 3/4 cup hot coffee
METHOD 1. Pre-heat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 9-inch spring form cake pan. Set aside. 2. In a large mixing bowl, sift together all of the dry ingredients, including the sugar. 3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, sour cream, oil, and vanilla. Stir the wet ingredients into the dry and mix until combined. While stirring, slowly stream in the hot coffee and mix until smooth. 4. Pour about 1/3 of the cake
batter into the prepared pan. Place the baked pie on top. 5. Gently spread the remaining cake batter on top and around the pie. 6. Place the cake in the preheated oven and bake until done, 60 to 70 minutes. Cool the cake on a wire rack for
about 45 minutes before releasing it from the spring form pan. Continue to completely cool before cutting or frosting, 2 to 3 hours total. After the first 45 minutes, you may speed things up by placing the cake in the refrigerator loosely covered in plastic wrap.
Piecaken slice - Vanilla Buttercream Total time: 25 to 30 minutes
VANILLA BUTTERCREAM INGREDIENTS 3 large egg whites 1 cup granulated sugar 1 1/2 cups unsalted butter 2 tsp vanilla extract 1/4 tsp cinnamon
METHOD 1. In the bowl of an electric mixer, add the egg whites and sugar. Whisk briefly by hand until combined. 2. Fill a saucepan with a few inches of water and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Place the mixer bowl on top of the saucepan to create a double-boiler. Stirring intermittently, heat the egg mixture until it reaches 150°F to 160°F on a candy thermometer. 3. Once hot, carefully return the mixer bowl to the stand mixer. Fitted with the whisk attachment, whip the egg white mixture on high until stiff peaks, about 8 minutes. When done, the outside of the mixer bowl should return to room temperature. 4. Stop the mixer and swap the paddle for the whisk. With the mixer on low, add in the vanilla, cinnamon, and butter, a couple tablespoons at a time. Once all of the butter has been added, turn the mixer up to medium-high and mix until smoothp. 5. If the mixture looks curdled, just keep mixing until it is smooth (this could take up to about 5 minutes). If it appears soupy, place the mixer bowl in the fridge for 10 to 15 minutes, then mix until smooth.
Piecaken Chocolate Glaze Cook Time: 5 minutes Total Time: 10 minutes
PIECAKEN CHOCOLATE GLAZE INGREDIENTS 2 oz semi-sweet chocolate, chopped 1/4 cup heavy cream 2 Tbsp light corn syrup Pinch salt
METHOD 1. Place the chocolate, cream, and corn syrup in a small saucepan. Heat over medium-high heat until the mixture begins to steam and the chocolate starts to melt. Remove from the heat. Add the salt and stir until smooth. 2. Let the glaze cool to room temperature, about 10 minutes, before dripping over the cake.
CHOCOLATE PUMPKIN PIECAKEN - ASSEMBLY 1. Once the cake has completely cooled, trim the top as needed. Frost the cake with the vanilla buttercream. 2. Chill in the refrigerator until set, about 15 to 20 minutes. 3. Once the buttercream has chilled, carefully drip the chocolate glaze around the top edges. Pour the remaining glaze into the centre of the cake and smooth out with an offset spatula. Decorate the top by piping any remaining buttercream and sprinkle with chopped nuts, if desired.
OUTSTANDING
OPPORTUNITY 65 Port Street East, #313 Mississauga
FOR LEASE - RARE LAKEFRONT BEAUTY WITH LUXURY TO SPARE Rare lakefront luxury corner condo in sought after Regatta! Sprawling 2,185 square feet, 3 bathrooms, 2 plus 1 bedroom with wall to wall panoramic windows and views to Lake Ontario. Huge, private covered terrace with walkout from living and master bedroom. Incredible master
suite with oversized walk-in closet/vanity area and 5 piece ensuite. 2 parking spots, locker and ensuite laundry. Included for tenant usage is the fridge, stove, dishwasher, washer, dryer, all window coverings, and all light fixtures. Click here to learn more.
BREATHTAKING
LUXURY LIVING 72 Cumberland Drive Mississauga
SITUATED IN PORT CREDIT’S MOST DESIRABLE WATERFRONT NEIGHBOURHOOD This private estate home is setback 150 feet from Cumberland Drive and sits on a 75’ x 286’ ft lot with 75’ x 338’ water lot. Wake up to the magnificent sunrises, Toronto skyline and panoramic lake views. This 7,000 square foot home was designed by renowned architect Bill Hicks with multiple walk outs and balconies overlooking the lake. The self-contained 1,200 square foot Lake house is like something out of Miami beach. With the private backyard, multiple seating areas, access to the water, this lake house is truly unique and amazing. We invite you to come and experience what lake living is all about. Listing Office: RE/MAX REALTY ENTERPRISES INC., BROKERAGE. We invite you to come and experience what lakefront living is all about. Click here to learn more.
SNEAK PEEK
64 Arthur Street, Guelph Here is your chance to live minutes to downtown Guelph in a home built in 1880. This large home backs onto the Speed River where you can enjoy having the cottage feeling in your own backyard. There is 3180 square feet of above ground living space. The 66 by 123 foot lot size gives you the space your family is craving. We are not yet on MLS so reach out today to be the first to see it when it does.
JUST PURCHASED
50 Port Street East, Mississauga “I feel like I’ve found my new home!” said the happy client to me as she looked around her new condo. “It’s so beautiful.” The truth was I felt exactly the same way, having helped our client find just the right place for her in Port Credit. Leaving Toronto’s harbour front and moving to Port Credit prompted us to try and duplicate as much as she had loved in Toronto and find it here in Port Credit for her. We knew that buying a house or condo can be stressful but when you work with someone who knows what they are doing, the process becomes more manageable. We were so pleased when we were able to help our buyer find just the right condo!
WHY HEATING YOUR HOME IS GOING TO BE
MORE EXPENSIVE
G
Story and photos from a CBC MarketPlace by Tony Seskus report as seen on www.cbc.ca/news/business/natural-gasprice-surge Dated September 16, 2021
oing into winter, we’re all going to be facing higher natural gas bills says an analyst. Natural gas prices are climbing. That’s good news for Canadian producers but means consumers are facing higher heating bills - Craig Ruttle of the Associated Press.
Natural gas prices have climbed to some of their highest levels in years, with the increases expected to ripple into people’s gas bills as winter fast approaches. A marriage of factors in North America and Europe - from summer storms to an overseas supply
crunch - have contributed to sharp rise in the price of the fossil fuel. Martin King, senior analyst at RBN Energy, said the Alberta spot price for natural gas was around $4.80 a gigajoule on Thursday morning. With the
exception of a February price spike amid a nasty North American cold snap, it’s some of the highest prices he’s seen in years. “It’s pretty astounding,” King said. “We’re seeing seven-year highs for natural gas both in the U.S. and Canada and, on the
international front, we’re seeing pretty much close to all-time highs in many markets worldwide.” While those prices will help natural gas producers, it’ll have consumers facing higher gas bills at a time when they’re already paying more for housing, transportation and food. “We’ll see how the spring and summer next year shape up,” King said. “But in the very short term, going into the winter, we’re all going to be facing higher natural gas bills.” It’s part of an international story. Natural gas is used for home heating, power and is used by appliances like stoves and gas dryers. In the U.S. futures market, the natural gas contract for October climbed to over $5 US per one million British thermal units - a level not seen since February, 2014. Reuters reported Thursday that U.S. natural gas futures slipped as storage levels improved, but one analyst told the news service it wasn’t “enough to put a ceiling on the recent rise in prices.” Meanwhile, the price of natural gas in Europe has risen fivefold since last year, pushing power prices across the continent to their highest in over a decade. In North America, views range on how high prices might still climb. King said it seems like the price could potentially go a “little bit higher” into October, adding much depends on how cold things get at the start of the winter heating season. Higher commodity prices prompted Saskatchewan’s natural gas distribution company this week to apply for an increase in
the price of natural gas in the province. SaskEnergy said the market price for natural gas has doubled since the Crown decreased its prices back in 2019. It pointed to increased natural gas demand for power generation coupled with higher liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports are contributing to increased commodity prices. In Ontario, Enbridge Gas has applied to the regulator for an increase ranging from six to eight per cent in the rates paid by its 3.8 million customers. On an annualized basis, that represents about $60 to $80 more for the average residential customer, the company said. If approved, it would take effect on October 1. Spokesperson Andrea Stass said that through the pandemic, in 2020 and early in 2021, demand for natural gas declined and prices dipped to some of their lowest points “in many years.” The company decreased rates in July by two per cent, she said. “We’re now at a point where our economy is recovering and demand is increasing,” Stass added. There are several factors running through the natural gas market these days impacting prices globally. In Europe, stockpiles of natural gas are low, the result of a witch’s brew of issues that include an unusually cold winter and maintenance work at Norwegian facilities. Power prices on the continent are “skyrocketing.” With gas prices soaring overseas, the United States is shipping as much liquefied natural gas as it possibly can from North America, said Jeremy McCrea, director of Raymond James Energy Research in Calgary. “It’s actually draining our gas inventories quicker than ... I think a lot of guys have expected,” he said. He also noted that the slow down that’s occurred in oil well drilling in North America has had an impact because many of those wells also produced associated natural gas. “If you look at the one-year outlook for gas prices, you’re looking at $4 to $4.25 prices here,” McCrea said, referring to the Alberta market, “which are some of the highest levels that we’ve seen since 2014.” Higher natural gas prices should help lift provincial revenues in Alberta. It’s also expected to help Canadian gas producers that slashed operating costs amid much lower prices. “They are very slowly and very cautiously increasing their capital spending programs,” said RBN Energy’s King.
“By nature, it’s a very cyclical industry. And just as soon as we’ve seen these strong gas prices, a warm winter could wipe out all the gains that we’ve seen very, very quickly.” Darren Gee, president of Calgary -based Peyto Exploration &
Development, said current spring is good for the company, generating more cash flow from its natural gas production. “We’d love to say that this [pricing] translates into then more drilling and more investment in Alberta and more jobs for Albertans,” Gee said Tuesday.
“But the challenging part is that we still ... have limited amount of egress in western Canada. We can only get so much gas out to market, whether that’s to the U.S. market or to the global market.”He said it’s also been difficult for the industry to get workers.
NOW AVAILABLE IN PORT CREDIT
Discover the Mason at Brightwater, an exciting new boutique condominium in the Port Credit waterfront community. This breathtaking master-planned mixed-use community covers 72 acres of land in Mississauga’s beloved Port Credit neighbourhood. Situated just minutes from Lake Ontario, parks, shopping, restaurants as well as Port Credit GO, the QEW and the upcoming Hurontario LRT. Contact us for more information on how you can take advantage of this opportunity of a lifetime.
AN EXCLUSIVE COLLECTION OF 16 LUXURY CONDOS
Over the past few years, the High Street/Benson neighbourhood has experienced one of Port Credit’s most significant transformations with many new custom homes and major renovations taking place, totally uplifting and modernizing this established residential neighbourhood. The Shores of Port Credit Townhomes have been designed to capture the special spirit of this charming and remarkable neighbourhood in notable fashion and functionality. Each townhome is designed with a personal elevator from the lower parking through to the rooftop terrace. And that’s just the beginning. Click HERE for more information.
Living in the Sunny South Thinking of moving to Florida? Here is a beautiful home in Bonita Springs that the Realty Group has available. Property Listings Courtesy of Roxanne Jeske
Welcome home. This fabulous, newly renovated 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom plus den home nestled in Worthington has all the “I wants.” Grand open floor plan, completely renovated kitchen, white and bright with granite countertops, new stainless steel appliances, recessed lighting and fixtures, beautiful wood flooring throughout main living areas and owner suite, new roof, newer AC and WH. Electric hurricane shutters, Hunter Douglas remote shades, 500g propane tank (available for kitchen and summer kitchen), full house generator. Deluxe owner suite has a newly renovated bath, soaking tub, separate shower. Spacious guest bedrooms accommodate king-sized sets. Guest bath has a tub and separate shower, plenty of storage. Enjoy breathtaking water views of the lake and golf course in your solar-heated pool year-round with a super screened lanai. Extended paved driveway with plenty of space for guests. This bundled golf lifestyle championship par-72 golf course, tennis courts, bocce courts, pickleball, pool, hot tub, poolside cabana and clubhouse fine dining, library, card rooms, social clubs, fitness center and more. Minutes from the SWFL International Airport, shopping, dining and Gulf beaches. Call us today for more information.
The
Perfect
Apple Pie By the Pillsbury Kitchens and seen on www.pillsbury.com and updated on July 19th, 2021
Our homemade apple pie is sure to be the best apple pie recipe you’ve made to date. For starters, you can make this warm, cozy, classic dessert in three simple steps, and it’s made with the ultimate baking shortcut: Pillsbury™ Pie Crusts. Serve up this easy apple pie and enjoy the most classic dessert with family and friends. Whether you bake it for a holiday, a potluck or as a special weekend treat, this timeless recipe is guaranteed to spark joy.
INGREDIENTS - CRUST
METHOD
1 box (14.1 oz) refrigerated Pillsbury™ Pie Crusts (2 Count), softened as directed on box
1. Heat oven to 425°F. Place 1 pie crust in ungreased 9-inch glass pie plate. Press firmly against side and bottom.
INGREDIENTS - FILLING
2. In large bowl, gently mix filling ingredients; spoon into crust-lined pie plate. Top with second crust. Wrap excess top crust under bottom crust edge, pressing edges together to seal; flute. Cut slits or shapes in several places in top crust.
6 cups thinly sliced, peeled apples (6 medium) 3/4 cup sugar 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1 tablespoon lemon juice
3. Bake 40 to 45 minutes or until apples are tender and crust is golden brown. Cover edge of crust with 2- to 3-inch wide strips of foil after first 15 to 20 minutes of baking to prevent excessive browning. Cool on cooling rack at least 2 hours before serving. EXPERT TIPS The flour tossed with the fresh apples turns their juices into a thickened, spiced sauce during baking. Mix it with the sugar and spices before tossing the mixture with the apples. Let your apple pie cool for at least 2 hours before cutting into it. The filling will thicken as it cools, making it easier to slice.
THERESA RECOMMENDS FOOD AND DRINKS
7 Steps
to being a better
LISTENER
BY TONY LEONARD AND SEEN ON www.LEADERCAST.com/7-steps-to-being-a-better-listener ON AUGUST 2021
I
f there is one thing I’ve learned in my line of work it’s this: Listening is an essential skill for success. I’ve spent 24 years in law enforcement and I can tell you, you don’t get confessions from criminals if it’s you doing all the talking. It’s impossible to solve cases if you don’t really hear what others are saying. When you aren’t listening, you are not hearing important facts you may need: viewpoints, attitudes, and beliefs others hold which reveal who they are and their motivations. You also miss the opportunity to make a personal connection that will move you toward your goal, whether that’s a confession from a criminal or better collaboration with a co-worker. This holds true in leadership too. One of the key components of leadership is good communication skills. Great leaders are powerful communicators—that’s why leadership books and classes usually include topics such as “Communicating Your Vision,” “Having Difficult Conversations,” or even “Speak Like a Leader.” But the best leaders, the ones who really get the job done, aren’t only good at getting their message across to others. They are also great listeners. Speaking is only half the communication process. The other half, equally important, is listening. Too often, we view listening as simply being quiet until it’s our turn to talk, but truly effective listening is more than that and requires conscious effort. The more we listen to others, the more information they are willing to reveal about themselves, and the better we will understand them, their problems and their needs as individuals. John Maxwell talks about how leadership is influence.
Active listening isn’t hard to do. It’s a set of skills easily learned and readily practiced. Start with these seven simple steps: 1. ELIMINATE DISTRACTIONS This includes your phone, email and people dropping into your office. Author and radio host Krista Tippett said, “Listening is about being present, not just about being quiet.” How many times have you tried to talk to someone, only to be continually interrupted by their cell phone or by other people? It was probably very frustrating for you to try and keep their attention on what you had to say. Show respect for the person talking to you by removing these distractions and truly focusing on who’s talking.
ing what the other person is saying. That means asking probing questions which actively seek more information and insight from the speaker. Conversation 2. MAKE PLENTY OF EYE CONTACT is a cooperative exercise, and good questions can help conIt shows the person you are fully structively examine and chalpresent in the moment. lenge old assumptions. 3. TRY A “LISTENING POSTURE” I’ve learned to rest my chin on 6. FOCUS ON THE POSITIVE my thumb, and place my index Good listeners focus on making finger over my lips. Not only the conversation a positive does this position tell the person, “I’m listening,” but it also LISTENING ISN’T reminds me to keep my mouth PASSIVE, BUT QUITE shut! 4. REFRAME IDEAS Reframing or rephrasing what you heard from the person speaking helps you understand them better, and shows them you are trying to understand. You can use a phrase like, “What I’m hearing you say is…” or “If I understand correctly, you’re saying…” Not only does this technique help clarify ideas for you, it can also help the speaker clarify his or her own ideas and message. 5. ASK GREAT QUESTIONS Listening isn’t just about hearing; it’s about truly understand-
THE OPPOSITE: IT REQUIRES ACTIVE SKILLS AND A CONSCIOUS CHOICE TO BE FULLY PRESENT, TO HEAR NOT ONLY WHAT THE OTHER PERSON IS SAYING BUT THE MEANING BEHIND THEIR WORDS, AND EVEN WHAT’S NOT BEING SAID.
experience for the other person. This means looking for ways to validate the other person’s feelings, experiences and selfesteem. Keep in mind, validation requires empathy, but not necessarily agreement. When you validate the other person, you are effectively saying, “I see you and recognize your feelings and experiences. I’ve had similar ones myself.” We can do that without having to share the other person’s viewpoint or assumptions about a situation. 7. PARTICIPATE, DON’T COMPETE It can be easy to turn a conversation into a competition, either by engaging in one-upmanship or by arguing the validity of feelings and ideas. Listening is about seeking understanding and clarity, not convincing the other person to share your viewpoint. Remember, it’s a conversation, not a debate (unless it is a debate… in which case, go for it). Performed well, listing can be a powerful tool for ensuring clarity, connecting with others and building collaborative relationships.
Canadian Design Competition Winner 2011 & 2013
905-467-5518 bandersonkitchens@gmail.com
Andersonkitchenandbath.com
Be Envied. Not Envious.
BAILEYS Apple Chai Pie What you need to buy
®
1.5 oz Baileys Apple Pie 0.5 oz Bulleit Bourbon 5 to 6 oz Chai Tea (Caution: If you have an allergy to dairy, do not drink this. Directions 1) Heat your Chai Tea 2) Add bourbon 3) Add Baileys Apple Pie 4) Garish with an apple slice or a cinnamon stick 5) ENJOY! As seen on https://www.baileys.com/enca/recipes/baileys-apple-chai-pie/
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR CLIENTS THAT SOLD THEIR CONDO IN ONE DAY! Are you thinking of selling? We still have so many buyers looking to make a move this year.
Whether your buying, selling or investing, the Realty Group is the team to trust. With a combined experience of over 30 years in the Real Estate Market you can count on the Realty Group.
The Realty Group has The Power to Move You
Theresa Baird - Broker Theresa is a award winning professional real estate agent. She has been in the industry for over 20 years, and prides herself on being able to communicate with her clients. Theresa’s aim is to make every client feel like they are the only client – even though she is typically working with 10 or more at a time. Theresa loves meeting new people and getting to know them, which makes her job perfect for her! Theresa enjoys the diversity of her business. She is able to provide clients with excellent service due to her extensive knowledge and experience in the Real Estate market. Theresa is committed to delivering what her clients need. She is a Master Certified Negotiation Expert and works hard to put the most amount of money in her client’s pockets. Theresa will work with you from beginning to end, ensuring that your closing is as stress-free as possible.
Lindsay Meadwell Real Estate Agent Since receiving her license, Lindsay has utilized her knowledge of the industry, along with her hard-working attitude and passion for providing excellent customer service to help several families meet their real estate goals. Lindsay believes in the importance of developing strong client relationships that will last a lifetime.
Samantha McGrath Real Estate Agent Samantha has worked in the Real Estate world for the past 6 years. She began at our Keller Williams Brokerage on-boarded new agents and teaching them our systems and technology. She has acquired her Real Estate license and is now working with the TB Realty Group. She enjoys working with both sellers and buyers.
Carolina Mauti Administrative Assistant After years of working as a successful real estate agent, Carolina is the TB Realty Groups administrative assistant.
Julia Baird-Oryschak Real Estate Agent Julia has worked and trained across the globe and brings her go-to-market strategies, campaigns and domestic expansion skills to the TB Realty Group. After completing her BSc and BBA she has joined the TB Realty Group where she brings her great customer skills and resourcefulness into play.
Dereck Addie Graphics/Photography Dereck has been working in the graphic design field for over 20 years and enjoys the challenges of working with the TB Realty Group.
HOMES SOLD BY
REALTY GROUP
tbaird.com 647.298.0997
Here are some of the homes we have sold or helped our clients to buy. We would love to earn the honour of having a photo of your home here too. Are you ready to list, buy or invest in your next home? Call us today to get started!