It’s with great sadness that I share the passing of Michael Tudor. Michael was a genuine person who left lasting memories with everyone fortunate enough to know him. He was many things to many people: teacher, author, trainer, speaker, but most importantly, he was a valued friend.
Michael, along with his husband Larry have been continuous supporters of us from day one of our opening. Their contributions have been valuable in making Personality Dimensions what it is today. Michael truly lived and breathed Personality Dimensions; I’m convinced that Organized Gold was modelled after him. In fact, Michael trained more facilitators than anyone else, certifying close to 1,200 individuals from 2003 up until earlier this year, myself included.
I first met Michael in my second week on the job when I was sent for my Level I training. I was fresh out of university, completely overwhelmed, and intimidated, but what I remember most is how welcome Michael made me, and everyone else in the room feel. By the time he had taken us through the carefully timed and neatly presented agenda, he had me laughing, thinking, and feeling at ease. I even managed to pass the exam with flying colours thanks to his teaching.
Michael was a proud teacher, spending his early career teaching high school before becoming an instructor at OISE, inspiring the next generations of educators. As a gifted storyteller, he didn’t just tell you the story; he had you experience it. He was a natural performer who loved an audience, and for good reason, audiences loved him. He had a way of keeping you engaged regardless of how many people were in the room. If he saw that you weren’t, you needed to watch out because you were his next challenge, and he would 100% win you over.
It was always a great day to be in the office when Michael and Lary dropped by. These were never short visits; conversations that started out as business always turned into something more fun and interesting before finding their way back to the topic at hand. I will genuinely miss those moments full of laughter and great stories.
In honour of Michael, take some time to share your best stories with your colleagues, students, friends, and family, and remember that there is a CORRECT way to load a dishwasher! (IYKYK)
Michael’s family is planning a celebration of life in the near future.
Brad Whitehorn – BA, CCDP is a lifelong Introvert, and the Associate Director at CLSR Inc. He was thrown into the career development field headfirst after completing a Communications degree in 2005, and hasn’t looked back! Since then, Brad has worked on the development, implementation and certification for various career and personality assessments (including Personality Dimensions®), making sure that Career Development Practitioners and HR Professionals get the right tools to do their best work. Brad is also on the board of directors for the Career Professionals of Canada, and an advisory committee member with the Career Development Professionals of Ontario.
10 Responses
I was deeply saddened to hear of Michael Tudor’s passing.
I first met Michael in 2018 when he, along with his husband Larry, facilitated my Level 2 Personality Dimensions training. Although our time together was limited to that training experience, Michael left a lasting impression on me as an exceptional educator, mentor, and human being.
Shortly afterward, I moved to Pakistan to continue my work as a trainer, yet Michael’s influence stayed with me throughout my career. His passion, wisdom, and unique ability to make learning engaging and meaningful inspired countless people, myself included. Even in my most recent training sessions, I continue to use his wonderful video, The Lighter Side of Colour, a testament to the enduring impact of his work.
Michael had a remarkable gift for helping others discover their strengths and better understand themselves and those around them. His legacy lives on through the many trainers, educators, and learners whose lives he touched.
Sending love, strength, and patience to Larry and the entire family during this difficult time. May you find comfort in the countless beautiful memories and the knowledge that Michael’s influence will continue to shine through the lives of those he inspired.
Thank you, Michael, for your mentorship, your generosity, and your passion for teaching. You will be greatly missed, but never forgotten. ❤️
I am sad to hear about Michael’s passing, he was my instructor for my Personality Dimensions certification many years ago and he had great stories and kept me engaged. I never saw him again after that training, but he indeed did leave a lasting impression!!
Thank you for sharing this, Brad – my heart dropped as I read this sad news. Michael was my advisor at OISE many years ago, and I remember him and his instructional approach fondly, even mirroring (or attempting to) his style wherever it was needed. Michael’s infectious personality, intellect, and ability to connect with almost any person he came across will resonate with me for the rest of my life. My introduction to Personality Dimensions was via Michael in our OISE cohort, and the moment the opportunity came to bring Personality Dimensions to my current organization, I jumped at the chance to become a certified practitioner. I often reference Michael in my sessions as my unofficial mentor in the PD world, sharing my experiences as a learner with my participants. My thoughts go to his family and loved ones. While this is a sad moment, it is also a time to celebrate an amazing life lived. Thinking of Michael today and all the smiles he brought to my face during our time together.
Michael did my training, along with Michelle Jaakson. It changed everything in the way I experience relationships.
Michael was a one-of-a-kind trainer. He brought humour, passion and skill together in a unique way. He was attentive to everyone’s learning needs and forged genuine connections in a very short time. I have vivid memories of the workshop he led, even though it was almost two decades ago. Sending love and sympathy to his friends, family and colleagues.
Michael was a kind gentle but firm instructor, but overall, a great storyteller and entertainer – who can forget ‘Laughing in Colour’ and all the little Golds lined up neatly in a row. He had us rolling in the aisles and never forgetting to send a ‘Thank You’ for the Thank You card. Thanks for the teaching, the learning and the laughs. You will be missed.
I’m so sad to hear of Michael’s passing. What a gem he was.
I remember going to Toronto to take the TTT training from Michael and Larry and can still remember stepping off the elevator in their condo building and seeing the long boa draped along the hallway leading to their condo. I thought that I was in the wrong place until Michale answered the door and had that twinkle in his eye and I instantly felt relaxed. It was a memorable time with lots of laughs. Both Larry and Michael were very supportive following my training and were always there when I needed support.
Sorry to see you go friend.
This is sad news. My condolences to his family. He was my trainer and I’m thankful for all I learned from him.
Michael was a gifted trainer and unforgettable person. I took my training with him and Larry in 2013 and still vividly remember it as a positive and motivational experience. His stories will live on!
I was one of the 1200 facilitators that Michael trained – over 20 years ago. I remember him as though it were yesterday. He and Larry were such an awesome pair. I remember so many valuable tips he gave me that I use to this day. One thing he asked at the end of the session was to determine his “colour”. I got it so wrong. Then he explained if he were doing his job, we would probably identify him as our own colour. I use the same wind up whenever I do a session. It is a wonderful closer and really helps my students realize that they are not type cast in this world.
I will really miss his kind and caring nature. My sympathies.