January 15 2009. Toronto, Canada
To help you plan for the Best Year of Your Career, I’m delighted to share with you the key findings from the Environics 2008 Social Values Monitor. The Social values monitor is Environics flagship syndicated research study. It has been conducted annually in Canada since 1983. 87 social values trends are tracked covering many aspects of human motivation and social relations. Watch the short video I’ve prepared for you. Its insights could transform the way you live and work in 2009.
The overall story is one of connectivity and that’s a very interesting story. It’s about networking in social groups, helping each other be successful, and being a part of a team to make things work. It’s about getting the job done by championing diversity, tolerance, openness, experimentation and exploration. It’s a story in which technology is helping us accomplish mutual objectives. It’s about being flexible, diverse and pragmatic. The winners will be connected to many different communities both functionally and culturally. It’s your connections that will determine your value like never before. It’s about belonging to multiple groups and having multiple identities. It’s about becoming more global while relishing your nationality and ethnicity. Yup, it’s about ultimate flexibility while knowing exactly who you are and what you stand for.
It’s the declaration of interdependence and leadership. It’s a whole new kind of leadership. It’s not the man with a plan but the man or woman who allows everyone to be part of leadership. It’s also about having the mental and physical vitality to stay the course when the going gets really, really tough. And it will. I can promise you that the next 12 months will test your faith, your expertise and your tenacity like never before.
Here’s a key lesson from the research: Life will be more demanding for every Canadian. That’s why we have to invest in our capacity to handle the unknown. No one knows the exact way that’s right for you. Put yourself in as many different situations as possible. Get on as many teams of diverse people as you can and adapt. Leverage Canadian diversity, gender, age, ethnicity and cultures. Synthesize what you’re hearing, communicate it, share it, You have to be your own client. Think at level of community. Be a microcosm of the country. Be an example of the people who are changing the country. Be a winner by attracting winners to you. The person with the most empowered friends has the most power.
Be inspired to experience life and develop yourself to the maximum in 2009. Remember, you’re not just doing it for yourself, by yourself. You’re catalyzing the personal development and experiences for millions of others as well. If One Canadian can, every other Canadian can.
If you want to know more about the Environics Social Values Monitor and how it can help you and your organization thrive, call me on 416-917-6007 or e-mail me at mike.lipkin@environics.ca.
