Tom
McCallumWhat I’m Focussed on Now
Updated 29th August 2026
{this is a Now page, hat tip to Derek Sivers for the idea}. I love the idea of a Now page, as so many of us focus on so much more than our core work as expressed on our website. I set this up in November 2020, I update it regularly.
AskTom
“The purpose of life is to discover your gift. The work of life is to develop it. The meaning of life is to give your gift away.” ~ David Viscott
“Our highest purpose is to share knowledge.” ~ from the Luc Besson movie “Lucy”
I shared those thoughts in a blog early in my writing journey in 2018, and they hold true for me more every day. Over the years, I have considered writing a book, but those thoughts flipped for me in 2024, and the idea of a “virtual me” took shape. By early 2025, the speed of change in AI tools meant this concept could become real, so now, since September 2025, you can visit AskTom.chat and have a conversation with “me”.
In addition to AskTom.chat, I offer one-off meetings (virtually or you may come to me, and we will go for a walk) for leaders seeking a sounding board at a key moment for their organisation or business. 100% of the fee for these sessions will go to my chosen charity, Maggie’s Centres.
My “ask” is that when you come across people at such key moments and who are ready to invest in that clarity, you send them to me. I’ve so often found that one single conversation can be very powerful, and I love to help people, so when you refer someone, you are helping them and me and Maggies 😊
Going out on top, then making room for “What’s Next”
In late November 2025, Gord Johnston of Stantec was recognised as Canada’s CEO of the Year. Shortly after that, on one of our regular calls, he and I talked and, perhaps counter-intuitively, decided it was time for me to “go out on top”. So, after nearly a decade as a Sounding Board supporting Gord and other senior leaders at Stantec, and with a robust foundation for #OpenLeadership in place, I “went out on top” at the end of February 2026. In June 2026, Gord then announced that he would be stepping down as CEO of Stantec on October 1st 2026.
This year, then, while continuing to support existing clients, mentees and projects, I’ve also been allowing time and space to consider my own “What’s Next”. Over recent months, quite a number of opportunities have popped up. I’ve taken on a few, and at the same time I am being highly selective and will continue to be so. I only want to do work that energises me and with people that energise me. I love to make a difference for people ready to lead bravely, whether that is mentoring someone on their personal “what’s next” or working with a CEO like Gord Johnston.
I remain open to a variety of new opportunities and challenges, but I do want to highlight that I’d love to work with another such CEO of a fast-growing international company. If this is you and you are ready to embrace #OpenLeadership, let’s talk!
What is #OpenLeadership?
With each periodic update of this NOW page, I keep this section as a constant, as my concept of #OpenLeadership remains a constant and one that has more and more resonance and relevance for leaders everywhere.
I developed the idea some years ago, one of my three core leadership frameworks, each recently refreshed in January 2026:
Continued Cascading Leadership
Open Leadership is about the WHO, the individual leader, Leading from Purpose about the WHY for the organisation, and Cascading Leadership the HOW of leading the type of change you need and we all need in these times.