Dolores & Barack Obama - January 23, 2020
On January 23rd, 2020 I had the opportunity attend Future Skills: A Conversation With President Barack Obama.
Yes! I got a chance to see and hear this tall, lanky, suave, white haired former President, in the flesh.
How did I manage this?
Tridel generously offered the opportunity to community leaders from the Queen West Alexandra Park Working Group. Tridel is the development partner of this neighborhood’s revitalization headed-up by Toronto Community Housing Corporation (TCHC). And, as part of this group, I have been attending monthly meetings since 2009 and lending my voice to the shaping my community. I love Queen West and have lived here most of my adult life.
What’s This All About?
This event was presented by ‘Millennials for Millennials’ – exploring “The Future of Work & The New Economy.” The organizing partner was the Economic Club of Canada and Global Institute for Conscious Economics.
For every ticket purchased, another ticket was given to a community leader so that they could be present for this event. They expected 4,000 people and had a final count of 6,000 people.
Happily our table was relatively close to the stage. Given that the Metro Convention Centre is HUGE, we were happy that we could even ‘see’ the stage.
Highlights
It was a full day from 8:30am to 2:30pm made up of a variety people, speakers, performances and activities. The organizers Rhiannon Rosalind & Dr. Jeffrey Overall, spoke about the nature of the new economy and eco consciousness.
Another notable speaker, Sophie Gregoire Trudeau, spoke passionately about gender equality. “We have the power to rethink our traditional ideas about gender and challenging the status quo. Girls and women cannot rewrite the story alone – nor should they have to. Boys and men are allies, and together we are stronger.”
“THE MAN” BARACK OBAMA – A Conversation With Rhiannon Rosalind
Here are the most outstanding takeaways that I’ll always remember and use in my daily life:
No Jerk Rule – Create and foster a workplace where jerks simply aren't allowed.
Build a team that knows how to solve problems.
Have diverse viewpoints around the table. Diversity helps cover the blind spots.
You have to be uncomfortable with risks.
Develop skills of interacting with other humans, Get outside of yourself and make a connection.
Young people need to think about the things that have not been done before. Creativity, analytical thinking and team building are the types of skills that will continue to be vital in a future full of job automation.
Leverage what automation provides, especially mundane, repetitive tasks. “Anything that’s replicable, anything that’s repeatable, some machine is going to do better.”
Develop the mind / body / spirit connection – build meaning in your life.
Climate change: We don’t need to make drastic changes, we need to employ what we have already such as wind and solar power. And, reduce our dependency on beef.
Mental health, stress and anxiety – In this new gig economy, people are unsettled and insecure – everything is changing around them. Of course there’s stress if your feel that the land under you is moving.
What’s the most difficult thing he’s had to learn?
Letting people be. Giving them the time they need, with no comments or judgement. When you care about a person, you want to fix things and make it better. So it’s difficult to hold back and ‘hold their space’.
What does President Barack Obama think of Canadians?
“You are reasonable.”
Canadians have discussions and can come to a resolution. These days people have become unreasonable. He congratulates Canada for being a country where the ‘facts still matter’.
Barack’s Book Recommendation
Non Obvious Megatrends: How to See What Others Miss and Predict the Future (Non-Obvious Trends Series) (Non-Obvious Series Book 10)
Fun Visual Takeaway
A tidal ‘wave’ of people rushed to the stage for a photo op. The ‘wave’ receded in 15 minutes. Then everyone went back to their assigned seats allowing others to enjoy the talk. We Canadians are a polite people.
Great day. Truly grateful for this once in a lifetime treat. Thanks Tridel!
Proud to be Canadian and part of the Queen West, Alexandra Park working group.
Dolores Pian is a Master Interior Designer who crafts luxury residences, penthouses and purse parking. Successful people seek her expertise to Design Reclaiming Time ©
Because time is their truest luxury.
Drop her an e-mail to say hello and let her know what you thought of this blog post.
Dolores Pian’s blog posts are meant to inform and entertain. Please consult Dolores Pian directly if you need any specific information for your specific spaces.