Georges, my long time companion

That’s me; Fall 2021

“We’d like to know a little bit about you for our files”  Mrs Robinson, Simon and Garfunkel

……..

I am a OD Canadian born and educated Israeli consultant, specializing in acute global diversity, post merger integration, interfaces between HQ’s and their “remote offices” and working with senior managers/teams to acquire global competency. And no, I have not retired, nor is it in the plan.

However, I put aside time for lots and lots of reading, walking, swimming, writing this blog as well as  my satiric blog,  which saves me mental health charges.

I am multi lingual, educated at McGill (Montreal) and Hebrew University (Jerusalem). My Hebrew and English are perfect. My French used to be excellent but has become very rusty. I need a few months in Spain to retrieve my Spanish, in which I was almost fluent. I can muddle along in Arabic, i.e. understand the gist of a conversation. Although my satiric character Gloria loves long German words, I do not know any German at all.

I am a nonconformist, an acquired taste and in some ways, a “most peculiar” man. 

I spent time a career officer in the Israeli Defense Forces, years and service of which I am very proud. These years of service give me a free pass to express my ideas freely, which I do. I am secular, atheist, radical centrist, liberal yet realistic and not woke.

I work with Fortune 500 companies, family businesses, start ups, individuals and Boards in India, the Mid East, Europe, China South East Asia and North America.

I am appalled by  the western bias of Organization Development  and hope that before I die, I can make a difference to rework OD’s value to global organizing. I don’t plan on dying any time soon, but I no longer buy unripe bananas. My latest obscure article on this subject is attached.

I am a disciplined reader. One classic, followed by a best seller, followed by a historical biography, followed by a book in Hebrew, and repeat. I am a great fan of Radio Swiss Classic, and never miss the daily Haaretz. 

I also like reading stuff with which I do not agree. Especially in this day and age when people love to inhale their own smoke, if you get my drift.

Part of  my family has been in Israel since the beginning of the British Mandate in Palestine (1918) after Word War One. The rest of my family comes from England and Montreal. All of my family is secular. Thank God.

I have a son (Amir) , a daughter (Sarai) , a son in law (Nadav) and a daughter in law (Deby) . I have 4 grandchildren  Daniel, Johnny, Maya and Rona…plus one more granddaughter on the way. I had a real British grandmother,  and a Canadian one.

And just a few more facts that may surprise you:

My Uncle Al was a famous boxer. 

I got arrested for J walking in Manilla even though I did not J walk. (I paid off the inebriated  cop to let me go).

I have a huge picture of  Kamal Ataturk and the former King of Thailand over my desk.

Despite my in-your-face style, I am quite likeable in person. If you just read what I post, I am a pain in the ass.

I can speak English with a perfect Thai, French and German accent.