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Editor's Notes
- MY STORY So what’s my story you might be asking?
- I grew up in the boomtown that was Calgary in the 1970s… … with a lot less privilege than I thought I deserved The second youngest of a family of 7… …with parents struggling to keep up From age 14 I had to work… ... first to get what I wanted…
- … and then to get my dream-job in the oil patch … only to find that 9 out of 10 of my co-workers were miserable … mmmm – what was up with that?
- At 23, I saw the CEO I idolized… … cry like a baby on the back steps of his Willowpark home … at 2 am after his 60th birthday party He had made millions - but the love of his life had left him and his kids hated him
- From then and well into my 30s I wondered, … often out loud with my ever-so-patient-and–always-supportive wife, … and more so after my son was born, … why I wasn’t happier?
- Didn’t we have it all? What was wrong with me? … I just couldn’t put my finger on it
- We paid off our home at 39, and after falling in love with strategy, I left Suncor… … so I could spend more time with my son … and maybe even do strategy for a living Life had also been moving way too fast – leaving conventional employment allowed me slow down & begin to write my own script It seems like I’ve lived 100 more lifetimes in the last 15 years than the one I had been living to age 40
- Getting good at helping individuals, start-ups and organizations of all stripes improve, helped build a renewed sense of purpose Discovering my why of building community, hidden to me since age 6, also helped, along with the knowledge that 70% of us are lonely I’ve also came to learn that the idea of better is balled up in the complexity that we are all individuals, organized in an infinite number of ways, all part of a larger system I also believe that connection is the cure to what ails people, organizations, society and the planet
- OUR JOURNEY TODAY Today, I’d like to take you on a journey … from the past, … starting at the dawn of time
- … to the present, … starting with days of Dickens & top hats
- … to the future, … that together I know we can co-create Does this sound like a good ride? Fasten your seatbelts!!!
- WHERE WE CAME FROM Human and their systems have evolved for 200,000 years
- Humans are a highly social, highly interdependent species who have shared values, built relationships and created order As tribe-members, we collaborated
- As communities, we lived together to meet our physical, emotional and social needs
- For 200,000 years, with language and culture, and through story and innovation, we learned, grew and thrived together … a snapshot of my indigenous Scottish heritage… … if I had to guess, in this shot, my ancestor is watching TV!
- A NOTE ON SYSTEMS Now for a quick note on human systems While we are all individuals…
- … we all participate in human systems
- No one person or group of architects built our systems and no one person or group is to blame for things being as they are Every single thing that we’ve built as humans resided first in the mind of an individual With human ingenuity, all of our systems have simply evolved Together, we are all responsible for things being the way they are… … and for making them better
- FAST FORWARD TO THE PRESENT In the last 200 years, with the rise of capitalism and the corporation,we’ve seen: Centralized mass production create economies of scale, profits and the accumulation of wealth A division of labour & the rise of the individual
- A system where individuals need to make money Urbanization, the rise of merchants & markets and liquid monetary systems to facilitate exchange Money trumping values as the key organizing principle in society
- Supported by reinforcing technologies The printing press
- Supported by reinforcing technologies Double-entry accounting - that still saves my bacon!
- Supported by reinforcing technologies Global economic, energy & transportation systems
- … and ever-more-integrated computer, online, social media, automation & AI technologies
- SUCCESS? Some say in 200 years, we’ve seen great success … others would say that capitalism is a great evil … and still others believe it’s the greatest form of human cooperation ever created…where: You are free to pursue your self interest You can serve others and reap the benefits The self-correcting power of regulated markets allocates limited resources to need and incents & rewards innovation Governments have grown to enact laws, provide services and regulate markets [rule of law, taxation, justice, healthcare, education, social services, infrastructure, security, military, environmental protection/assurance] Strategic planning has helped public, private and not-for-profit organizations define their purpose, improve their effectiveness, and meet the challenges and opportunities of an abundant era All of which has contributed to the rise of complex adaptive systems that no one controls [10 days of food supply in Calgary – we are all kings & queens - energy] A massive improvement in individual well-being and the common good with billions lifted out of poverty
- But, … in the same 200 years, we’ve seen: The loss of the unique and personal exchange of stories, gifts, goods & services within our local, community-based economies The connectedness we once felt in our tribes Environmental degradation [carbon, pollution, impacts on oceans, land-based and riparian ecosystems] Abject poverty The exploitation of cheap labour worldwide Local unemployment and low wage growth Rising wealth disparity A disproportionate influence on democracy Rising self-interest, division & populism Fragmented public discourse & struggling institutions & governments With our systems under unprecedented challenge, we see failed states & rising violence [Iraq,Syria, Lybia, Venezuala] … walls between neighbors … fears of scarcity & insecurity … more hoarding … AND …
- … a Cocktail of human ailments: Trauma of all stripes Loneliness Anxiety Depression Addiction Poverty Homelessness Suicide Violence Incarceration and much, much more…
- All in the relative blink of an eye All in just 200 years of our 200,000-year human journey Like losing our way in just 20m on a 20 km hike! I think we can find our way back!
- … but how? Looking to the future… … how about a shared vision? … how about working together … on 5 transitions?
- How does a vision of a world where everyone is enough, has enough, contributes their best, and together, we take care of ourselves, each other, our communities and the planet sound?
- How about focusing on five transitions, some of which are already underway, that can move us toward achieving our shared vision? Transitions: in energy use in capitalism in governance in consumption in connection Let’s explore them together!
- You think that carbon & climate change is a problem? How about a transition from a high-carbon energy use to a low-carbon future? I have a simple idea: Using less energy saves money and cuts emissions! Let’s also steward our non-renewable wonder-resources for future generations! How about QUEST Canada’s vision is for all 5,600 communities in Canada to be smart energy communities? Building on their success, we have developed the needed collaborative infrastructure for Calgary to lead the global transition to a low-carbon future! >UN DecrabonizationPathways S2S Decarbonization Pathways Collaborative (DCP)
- You think that capitalism is the problem? How about a transition from unquestioned, unbridled and in some cases malevolent capitalism to capitalism for higher purpose > Malevolent = the desire to or having the effect of harming others Google Conscious Capitalism’s who has made the business case for considering your impacts on people (employees, customers, suppliers & communities) and the planet generates more profit > Gallup on engagement > Forbes+Economist on The Role of the Corporation We’re more than 30 years into advancing the idea of sustainable development – integrated economic, environmental & social solutions > Suncor and many others are leading this charge What about Calgarians needing to reduce their footprint by 80% to get in line with what Mother Earth can carry? Let’s look at sustainable communities to save money, save the planet & build human connection > S2S 8 Facets of a Sustainable community; Prairie Sky & Mosaic Co-Housing
- You think that corruption is a problem? Our current governance system is 200 years old! What works is that , absent corruption, democracy gives power to the people It resolves what divides us & allows us to work together on what doesn’t Politicians & parties build news ideas – bake them into platforms, which if supported at the ballot box - become government policy > What the people want shows up as legislation, regulations & programs Citizens must be vigilant to protect democracy from those who seek to exert disproportional influence – Will you participate in holding our politicians to account for their promises? > Check out we’re building at RebootAlberta.org I can also share 3 ways for where governments to (1) do better internally [5FAs] (2)deliver better [map to well-being] and (3) engage individuals, groups and organizations in delivering better [>W&WBA__] The same solution that can be used to improve any local, sub-national or national jurisdiction on the planet
- You think that pollution is a problem? Oceans, ecosystems, plastics, pollution… How about a transition from a world where we consume stuff to try and find happiness to a world where together we consume less, we reduce, reuse & recycle more and we see to it that everyone has at least enough? We are wired to share! Give more of your time, talent & treasure! Pay it forward! We are also wired to create… … what if we created more locally Could we stem a profit-motivated tide of shipping raw materials & manufactured goods around the world? …exploiting cheap labour? …wasting energy? … cutting emissions, pollution & plastics in the process?
- I think isolation and loneliness is a problem How about a transition from a world marked by division to one marked by human connection? Let’s live within the law – let’s respect one another Let’s embrace diversity as a source of strength Why can’t we treat others like we would like to be treated Can we start with tolerance and then try to show some kindness? Maybe even some empathy, acceptance and love? Let’s take care of ourselves first and then reach out to seek help from others or offer help to others We are wired to care… Research shows that if you found $50, you’d get more joy from giving $10 to 5 others in need than spending it on yourself Research also shows that $70,000 per year is the point to which more money improves your life and beyond which it doesn’t What would the world look like if everyone shared their earnings above $70,000? Caring for each other is also more secure – by giving to others, you’ll find you’re supported by others And when you pass from this world, how will you take the measure of a life well lived?
- To me, it’s simple: Together, we can achieve great things! Connection builds community… … add compassion and we build humanity! None of our five transitions require any legislative changes - just a shift in focus, in values and in behaviour – think Malala, think #metoo! Can we ask more of our politicians & governments? Can we share & celebrate the stories of individuals, groups & organizations who are building humanity? They all help to create a world where everyone is enough, has enough and can contribute their best! … a world where , we can take care of ourselves, each other, our communities and the planet! We can start right here in Calgary, and in Alberta, & share what we learn with the world Support good work already underway or start something new… … bring your best & together, let’s get after better! > Thank: Master Krista Malden for making me better, Master Victor Panlilio for his stellar images & Master Judy Dahm for her loving counsel>
- MY STORY So what’s my story you might be asking?