this is my family there’s something I’ve always admired about my dad in the
always admired about my dad in the
always admired about my dad in the center by the age of 30 he’s already
center by the age of 30 he’s already
center by the age of 30 he’s already spent nine years of his life and medical
spent nine years of his life and medical
spent nine years of his life and medical training and he was on his way to a
training and he was on his way to a
training and he was on his way to a thirty year career as a family physician
thirty year career as a family physician
thirty year career as a family physician he was so good as a doctor and he saved
he was so good as a doctor and he saved
he was so good as a doctor and he saved hundreds of lives and ever whenever I
hundreds of lives and ever whenever I
hundreds of lives and ever whenever I needed some help as well he was always
needed some help as well he was always
needed some help as well he was always able to help me no matter what health
able to help me no matter what health
able to help me no matter what health illness or ailment was bothering me for
illness or ailment was bothering me for
illness or ailment was bothering me for some reason and somehow he knew exactly
some reason and somehow he knew exactly
some reason and somehow he knew exactly how to diagnose my illness and tell me
how to diagnose my illness and tell me
how to diagnose my illness and tell me the exact next steps I often wondered
the exact next steps I often wondered
the exact next steps I often wondered how much did you have to study and focus
how much did you have to study and focus
how much did you have to study and focus and memorize to be able to diagnose
and memorize to be able to diagnose
and memorize to be able to diagnose whatever condition I had I was always in
whatever condition I had I was always in
whatever condition I had I was always in awe at that in many ways you could say
awe at that in many ways you could say
awe at that in many ways you could say my dad was very deep in that single area
this is my cousin Bridget I just got
this is my cousin Bridget I just got married six months ago to my wife and he
married six months ago to my wife and he
married six months ago to my wife and he was my best man I’ve always admired my
was my best man I’ve always admired my
was my best man I’ve always admired my cousin as well but for the exact
cousin as well but for the exact
cousin as well but for the exact opposite reason is my dad you see Birju
opposite reason is my dad you see Birju
opposite reason is my dad you see Birju by the age of 40 and get your pens out
by the age of 40 and get your pens out
by the age of 40 and get your pens out he has done so many things in his life
he has done so many things in his life
he has done so many things in his life he started off as an engineer in Ottawa
he started off as an engineer in Ottawa
he started off as an engineer in Ottawa then he became a sales executive in San
then he became a sales executive in San
then he became a sales executive in San Francisco he moved to London and was a
Francisco he moved to London and was a
Francisco he moved to London and was a stage actor he moved to Paris and was a
stage actor he moved to Paris and was a
stage actor he moved to Paris and was a chef then he quit all of that and became
chef then he quit all of that and became
chef then he quit all of that and became a snowboard operator in the outs he’s
a snowboard operator in the outs he’s
a snowboard operator in the outs he’s been a Hindoo disciple in the Himalayas
been a Hindoo disciple in the Himalayas
been a Hindoo disciple in the Himalayas he’s been a community organizer in New
he’s been a community organizer in New
he’s been a community organizer in New York he’s been a private pilot in
York he’s been a private pilot in
York he’s been a private pilot in Toronto and most recently he’s a blogger
Toronto and most recently he’s a blogger
Toronto and most recently he’s a blogger in Vietnam so I ask you who would you
in Vietnam so I ask you who would you
in Vietnam so I ask you who would you rather be like my dad or like my cousin
rather be like my dad or like my cousin
rather be like my dad or like my cousin when I talked to them both they both
when I talked to them both they both
when I talked to them both they both have a tinge of regret as well my dad
have a tinge of regret as well my dad
have a tinge of regret as well my dad he’s lived very comfortably but he’s the
he’s lived very comfortably but he’s the
he’s lived very comfortably but he’s the first to tell you that he didn’t see the
first to tell you that he didn’t see the
first to tell you that he didn’t see the happiness in the freedom that he thought
happiness in the freedom that he thought
happiness in the freedom that he thought he would he’s always been interested in
he would he’s always been interested in
he would he’s always been interested in dabbling in many many different areas
dabbling in many many different areas
dabbling in many many different areas politics international relations physics
politics international relations physics
politics international relations physics charity work but he never found the time
charity work but he never found the time
charity work but he never found the time in many ways he was shackled by his
in many ways he was shackled by his
in many ways he was shackled by his death when I talk to my cousin he’s had
death when I talk to my cousin he’s had
death when I talk to my cousin he’s had so many experiences that it’s enriched
so many experiences that it’s enriched
so many experiences that it’s enriched his life and the relationships all
his life and the relationships all
his life and the relationships all around him he’s found a way to connect
around him he’s found a way to connect
around him he’s found a way to connect with almost every single soul I’ve ever
with almost every single soul I’ve ever
with almost every single soul I’ve ever met but in the process of doing so many
met but in the process of doing so many
met but in the process of doing so many things over the course of 20 years of
things over the course of 20 years of
things over the course of 20 years of his adult life he’s never gone deep in
his adult life he’s never gone deep in
his adult life he’s never gone deep in one area and he’s always said mad I’m
one area and he’s always said mad I’m
one area and he’s always said mad I’m looking for my life’s calling and so in
looking for my life’s calling and so in
looking for my life’s calling and so in many ways the fact that he was so broad
many ways the fact that he was so broad
many ways the fact that he was so broad actually limited his ability to go deep
actually limited his ability to go deep
actually limited his ability to go deep and find his calling so again I ask you
and find his calling so again I ask you
and find his calling so again I ask you who would you rather be I know for
who would you rather be I know for
who would you rather be I know for myself that I didn’t want to be just
myself that I didn’t want to be just
myself that I didn’t want to be just focused on one thing like my dad I just
focused on one thing like my dad I just
focused on one thing like my dad I just I’m not wired that way at the same time
I’m not wired that way at the same time
I’m not wired that way at the same time I wondered should I be like my cousin
I wondered should I be like my cousin
I wondered should I be like my cousin Birju
Birju
Birju brought across many things but I was
brought across many things but I was
brought across many things but I was always worried about the stereotype you
always worried about the stereotype you
always worried about the stereotype you guys are being scattered what was the
guys are being scattered what was the
guys are being scattered what was the path for someone like me like the rest
path for someone like me like the rest
path for someone like me like the rest of us is there a middle way what I want
of us is there a middle way what I want
of us is there a middle way what I want to share with you is that there is go
to share with you is that there is go
to share with you is that there is go broad going broad gives you a unique
broad going broad gives you a unique
broad going broad gives you a unique perspective on the world around you it
perspective on the world around you it
perspective on the world around you it makes you more innovative collaborative
makes you more innovative collaborative
makes you more innovative collaborative and adaptable but going broad shouldn’t
and adaptable but going broad shouldn’t
and adaptable but going broad shouldn’t be a random path that you take it should
be a random path that you take it should
be a random path that you take it should be guided with purpose and designed with
be guided with purpose and designed with
be guided with purpose and designed with intention what I found was that the best
intention what I found was that the best
intention what I found was that the best people who went abroad did so
people who went abroad did so
people who went abroad did so effectively they didn’t be superficial
effectively they didn’t be superficial
effectively they didn’t be superficial across many different areas they chose
across many different areas they chose
across many different areas they chose several areas to go deep and over the
several areas to go deep and over the
several areas to go deep and over the course of their career in that way they
course of their career in that way they
course of their career in that way they weren’t a jack of all trades and master
weren’t a jack of all trades and master
weren’t a jack of all trades and master of some sorry they weren’t a jack of all
of some sorry they weren’t a jack of all
of some sorry they weren’t a jack of all trades master of none they were a jack
trades master of none they were a jack
trades master of none they were a jack of all trades and master of some so I
of all trades and master of some so I
of all trades and master of some so I started to ask people for a career
started to ask people for a career
started to ask people for a career advice how could I become this jack of
advice how could I become this jack of
advice how could I become this jack of all trades and master of some and
all trades and master of some and
all trades and master of some and everyone told me that I should pick one
everyone told me that I should pick one
everyone told me that I should pick one thing and focus they told me I should be
thing and focus they told me I should be
thing and focus they told me I should be just like my dad
just like my dad
just like my dad and that advice didn’t sit well with me
and that advice didn’t sit well with me
and that advice didn’t sit well with me why did we live in a world sold on death
why did we live in a world sold on death
why did we live in a world sold on death when did we become convinced that the
when did we become convinced that the
when did we become convinced that the route excellence is through deep
route excellence is through deep
route excellence is through deep specialization Malcolm Gladwell in his
specialization Malcolm Gladwell in his
specialization Malcolm Gladwell in his book outliers popularized the 10,000
book outliers popularized the 10,000
book outliers popularized the 10,000 hour rule seeing obsessive focus and
hour rule seeing obsessive focus and
hour rule seeing obsessive focus and time commitment and determination as a
time commitment and determination as a
time commitment and determination as a means to realizing their potential
means to realizing their potential
means to realizing their potential it’s true in education as well technical
it’s true in education as well technical
it’s true in education as well technical expertise and Sciences technology
expertise and Sciences technology
expertise and Sciences technology engineering and math have become all the
engineering and math have become all the
engineering and math have become all the rage meanwhile you see the majors
rage meanwhile you see the majors
rage meanwhile you see the majors humanities majors having over the last
humanities majors having over the last
humanities majors having over the last 45 years and liberal arts colleges on
45 years and liberal arts colleges on
45 years and liberal arts colleges on the decline we see higher education as a
the decline we see higher education as a
the decline we see higher education as a vocational training exercise conveyor
vocational training exercise conveyor
vocational training exercise conveyor belt to pump out specialists now I’m not
belt to pump out specialists now I’m not
belt to pump out specialists now I’m not saying that we don’t need specialists I
saying that we don’t need specialists I
saying that we don’t need specialists I want to know that my pilot has flown
want to know that my pilot has flown
want to know that my pilot has flown thousands of hours I want to know that
thousands of hours I want to know that
thousands of hours I want to know that my surgeon has completed hundreds of
my surgeon has completed hundreds of
my surgeon has completed hundreds of similar surgeries and of course I want
similar surgeries and of course I want
similar surgeries and of course I want to know that the person who built my
to know that the person who built my
to know that the person who built my home had built countless other homes but
home had built countless other homes but
home had built countless other homes but it seems like the obsession with death
it seems like the obsession with death
it seems like the obsession with death has gone well beyond that it has become
has gone well beyond that it has become
has gone well beyond that it has become the central premise for how we organize
the central premise for how we organize
the central premise for how we organize our society and the major sectors within
our society and the major sectors within
our society and the major sectors within it business government and the nonprofit
it business government and the nonprofit
it business government and the nonprofit sectors it is a recipe for disaster one
sectors it is a recipe for disaster one
sectors it is a recipe for disaster one reason why is deeply specializing is
reason why is deeply specializing is
reason why is deeply specializing is unnatural humans are inherently broad we
unnatural humans are inherently broad we
unnatural humans are inherently broad we need so many skills just to live life
need so many skills just to live life
need so many skills just to live life it’s what we would naturally do if he
it’s what we would naturally do if he
it’s what we would naturally do if he weren’t schools to go so deep Robert
weren’t schools to go so deep Robert
weren’t schools to go so deep Robert wigger the British poet and author said
wigger the British poet and author said
wigger the British poet and author said our age Revere’s the specialist but
our age Revere’s the specialist but
our age Revere’s the specialist but humans are natural polymath at our best
humans are natural polymath at our best
humans are natural polymath at our best when we turned our minds to many things
when we turned our minds to many things
when we turned our minds to many things second reason the future of work is not
second reason the future of work is not
second reason the future of work is not in line with specialisation Oxford
in line with specialisation Oxford
in line with specialisation Oxford University put out a study saying that
University put out a study saying that
University put out a study saying that almost 50 percent of jobs in the US
almost 50 percent of jobs in the US
almost 50 percent of jobs in the US alone will be susceptible to automation
alone will be susceptible to automation
alone will be susceptible to automation in the next 20 years including in the
in the next 20 years including in the
in the next 20 years including in the transport sectors including in the
transport sectors including in the
transport sectors including in the service sectors and office sectors now
service sectors and office sectors now
service sectors and office sectors now as technology races ahead the question
as technology races ahead the question
as technology races ahead the question we have to ask ourselves is how does
we have to ask ourselves is how does
we have to ask ourselves is how does humans race how do humans race ahead and
humans race how do humans race ahead and
humans race how do humans race ahead and beat technology it’s not going to be by
beat technology it’s not going to be by
beat technology it’s not going to be by competing on deep expertise and
competing on deep expertise and
competing on deep expertise and technical specialization it’s going to
technical specialization it’s going to
technical specialization it’s going to be through the acquisition of broad
be through the acquisition of broad
be through the acquisition of broad creative and social skills lastly some
creative and social skills lastly some
creative and social skills lastly some of the most complex problems and the
of the most complex problems and the
of the most complex problems and the most pressing problems facing our
most pressing problems facing our
most pressing problems facing our society will not be solved in silos
society will not be solved in silos
society will not be solved in silos think about some of the biggest issues
think about some of the biggest issues
think about some of the biggest issues facing our world today think about
facing our world today think about
facing our world today think about ageing populations and skyrocketing
ageing populations and skyrocketing
ageing populations and skyrocketing health care costs think of both
health care costs think of both
health care costs think of both financial system stability
financial system stability
financial system stability and income inequality think about
and income inequality think about
and income inequality think about climate change and extreme weather
climate change and extreme weather
climate change and extreme weather preparedness no single sector
preparedness no single sector
preparedness no single sector institution or individual alone can
institution or individual alone can
institution or individual alone can solve these problems we need
solve these problems we need
solve these problems we need collaboration across the sectors and
collaboration across the sectors and
collaboration across the sectors and across the disciplines and people who
across the disciplines and people who
across the disciplines and people who are broad across these areas will be
are broad across these areas will be
are broad across these areas will be that’s capable of addressing these
that’s capable of addressing these
that’s capable of addressing these complex problems now the kind of change
complex problems now the kind of change
complex problems now the kind of change we’re talking about will require people
we’re talking about will require people
we’re talking about will require people within the system to trust each other
within the system to trust each other
within the system to trust each other and we know Trust is best developed
and we know Trust is best developed
and we know Trust is best developed through empathy and how do you develop
through empathy and how do you develop
through empathy and how do you develop empathy it’s often said you want to live
empathy it’s often said you want to live
empathy it’s often said you want to live in someone else’s shoes and so by
in someone else’s shoes and so by
in someone else’s shoes and so by definition being broad means you’ll have
definition being broad means you’ll have
definition being broad means you’ll have more shared experiences certainly more
more shared experiences certainly more
more shared experiences certainly more than someone who is deep in just one
than someone who is deep in just one
than someone who is deep in just one area empathy guided a lot of my life as
area empathy guided a lot of my life as
area empathy guided a lot of my life as well when I was younger my dad
well when I was younger my dad
well when I was younger my dad unwittingly put all of our life savings
unwittingly put all of our life savings
unwittingly put all of our life savings into Nortel Networks a huge technology
into Nortel Networks a huge technology
into Nortel Networks a huge technology company in the late 1990s in 2001 the
company in the late 1990s in 2001 the
company in the late 1990s in 2001 the company spectacularly crashed and we
company spectacularly crashed and we
company spectacularly crashed and we lost all of our savings and so did so
lost all of our savings and so did so
lost all of our savings and so did so many families around Canada and the
many families around Canada and the
many families around Canada and the world and I vowed to dedicate my life to
world and I vowed to dedicate my life to
world and I vowed to dedicate my life to make the financial system more
make the financial system more
make the financial system more sustainable more equitable and last of
sustainable more equitable and last of
sustainable more equitable and last of all the top so no one could go through
all the top so no one could go through
all the top so no one could go through what we went through as a family but
what we went through as a family but
what we went through as a family but instead of running towards sorry instead
instead of running towards sorry instead
instead of running towards sorry instead of running away from business and
of running away from business and
of running away from business and bashing it I thought I needed to
bashing it I thought I needed to
bashing it I thought I needed to understand it and working it from the
understand it and working it from the
understand it and working it from the inside and so what I ended up doing was
inside and so what I ended up doing was
inside and so what I ended up doing was taking my first job as an investment
taking my first job as an investment
taking my first job as an investment banker at Morgan Stanley and my second
banker at Morgan Stanley and my second
banker at Morgan Stanley and my second act was as a financial crisis policy
act was as a financial crisis policy
act was as a financial crisis policy analyst within the Department of Finance
analyst within the Department of Finance
analyst within the Department of Finance in Ottawa
in Ottawa
in Ottawa I went from calculating share price
I went from calculating share price
I went from calculating share price returns for specific companies to
returns for specific companies to
returns for specific companies to writing briefing memos to the Minister
writing briefing memos to the Minister
writing briefing memos to the Minister of Finance both the global capital
of Finance both the global capital
of Finance both the global capital markets I went from working in a small
markets I went from working in a small
markets I went from working in a small flat and entrepreneurial office to what
flat and entrepreneurial office to what
flat and entrepreneurial office to what was a massive hierarchical and
was a massive hierarchical and
was a massive hierarchical and conservative bureaucracy and boy-like
conservative bureaucracy and boy-like
conservative bureaucracy and boy-like the cultures were so different I was
the cultures were so different I was
the cultures were so different I was making mistakes left right and center I
making mistakes left right and center I
making mistakes left right and center I kept on using the wrong skills that I
kept on using the wrong skills that I
kept on using the wrong skills that I learned at Morgan Stanley those things
learned at Morgan Stanley those things
learned at Morgan Stanley those things weren’t relevant at the Department of
weren’t relevant at the Department of
weren’t relevant at the Department of Finance I kept on speaking the wrong
Finance I kept on speaking the wrong
Finance I kept on speaking the wrong words I kept on saying speaking the
words I kept on saying speaking the
words I kept on saying speaking the wrong language and I was certainly
wrong language and I was certainly
wrong language and I was certainly leveraging all of the wrong
leveraging all of the wrong
leveraging all of the wrong networks what I realized was I wasn’t
networks what I realized was I wasn’t
networks what I realized was I wasn’t prepared to fit into the government
prepared to fit into the government
prepared to fit into the government culture
culture
culture it was hard to fit in it was hard to
it was hard to fit in it was hard to
it was hard to fit in it was hard to adapt and it was certainly the case that
adapt and it was certainly the case that
adapt and it was certainly the case that they weren’t prepared for someone like
they weren’t prepared for someone like
they weren’t prepared for someone like me who was so entrepreneurial who had a
me who was so entrepreneurial who had a
me who was so entrepreneurial who had a different vision for how to create
different vision for how to create
different vision for how to create public value in the world now I wasn’t
public value in the world now I wasn’t
public value in the world now I wasn’t as depressed there were some magic
as depressed there were some magic
as depressed there were some magic moments that happened as well when we
moments that happened as well when we
moments that happened as well when we were talking about regulation of hedge
were talking about regulation of hedge
were talking about regulation of hedge funds and bank capital and when those
funds and bank capital and when those
funds and bank capital and when those moments of magic happened when we found
moments of magic happened when we found
moments of magic happened when we found the intersection between the public and
the intersection between the public and
the intersection between the public and private sectors it made it all the more
private sectors it made it all the more
private sectors it made it all the more clear why we needed to be broad so I
clear why we needed to be broad so I
clear why we needed to be broad so I started looking for more examples could
started looking for more examples could
started looking for more examples could I find people who had successfully gone
I find people who had successfully gone
I find people who had successfully gone broad been effective in adapting to all
broad been effective in adapting to all
broad been effective in adapting to all these different cultures later on I was
these different cultures later on I was
these different cultures later on I was at McKinsey & Company and my colleague
at McKinsey & Company and my colleague
at McKinsey & Company and my colleague and I Nick Lovegrove interviewed a
and I Nick Lovegrove interviewed a
and I Nick Lovegrove interviewed a hundred and fifty people who had
hundred and fifty people who had
hundred and fifty people who had successfully gone broad and we looked at
successfully gone broad and we looked at
successfully gone broad and we looked at what made it work for them and here’s
what made it work for them and here’s
what made it work for them and here’s what we found
what we found
what we found we live on a spectrum between being
we live on a spectrum between being
we live on a spectrum between being broad and being deep and in this
broad and being deep and in this
broad and being deep and in this spectrum everyone has a point along the
spectrum everyone has a point along the
spectrum everyone has a point along the way every choice you make in life
way every choice you make in life
way every choice you make in life whether it’s what a event you’re
whether it’s what a event you’re
whether it’s what a event you’re attending tonight or what force you pick
attending tonight or what force you pick
attending tonight or what force you pick – what jobs you do – what newspapers you
– what jobs you do – what newspapers you
– what jobs you do – what newspapers you read you make a choice of going one way
read you make a choice of going one way
read you make a choice of going one way or the other along that spectrum now
or the other along that spectrum now
or the other along that spectrum now everyone has what we call a sweet spot
everyone has what we call a sweet spot
everyone has what we call a sweet spot the point along that spectrum at which
the point along that spectrum at which
the point along that spectrum at which you’re very effective at addressing
you’re very effective at addressing
you’re very effective at addressing complex issues but also extremely
complex issues but also extremely
complex issues but also extremely satisfied and fulfilled with the range
satisfied and fulfilled with the range
satisfied and fulfilled with the range of your activities and interests in that
of your activities and interests in that
of your activities and interests in that way finding that sweet spot makes you
way finding that sweet spot makes you
way finding that sweet spot makes you the jack of all trades and master of
the jack of all trades and master of
the jack of all trades and master of some Sheryl Sandberg is an amazing
some Sheryl Sandberg is an amazing
some Sheryl Sandberg is an amazing example of a broad leader who had made
example of a broad leader who had made
example of a broad leader who had made several choices she’s now the chief
several choices she’s now the chief
several choices she’s now the chief operating officer of Facebook but she
operating officer of Facebook but she
operating officer of Facebook but she didn’t start off in the technology or
didn’t start off in the technology or
didn’t start off in the technology or even the business industry she started
even the business industry she started
even the business industry she started off a career in government working first
off a career in government working first
off a career in government working first at the World Bank and then at the United
at the World Bank and then at the United
at the World Bank and then at the United States Department of Treasury as the
States Department of Treasury as the
States Department of Treasury as the chief of staff to the secretary of the
chief of staff to the secretary of the
chief of staff to the secretary of the Treasury she worked in government for
Treasury she worked in government for
Treasury she worked in government for several years and what did she do there
several years and what did she do there
several years and what did she do there she found a way to navigate the hundred
she found a way to navigate the hundred
she found a way to navigate the hundred thousand person bureaucracy manage
thousand person bureaucracy manage
thousand person bureaucracy manage public policy files on a range of
public policy files on a range of
public policy files on a range of different issues and of course build the
different issues and of course build the
different issues and of course build the very transferable skills of
very transferable skills of
very transferable skills of communications management and operations
communications management and operations
communications management and operations when her time came up in government in
when her time came up in government in
when her time came up in government in about 2001 she could have gone almost
about 2001 she could have gone almost
about 2001 she could have gone almost anywhere else in government but she
anywhere else in government but she
anywhere else in government but she wanted to pivot to outside of her
wanted to pivot to outside of her
wanted to pivot to outside of her comfort zone
comfort zone
comfort zone she chose to try to work in the
she chose to try to work in the
she chose to try to work in the technology industry in Silicon Valley
technology industry in Silicon Valley
technology industry in Silicon Valley she spoke to many different CEOs and one
she spoke to many different CEOs and one
she spoke to many different CEOs and one in particular said Sheryl we’d never
in particular said Sheryl we’d never
in particular said Sheryl we’d never hire someone like you people in
hire someone like you people in
hire someone like you people in government can’t work in technology well
government can’t work in technology well
government can’t work in technology well she proved them wrong Google was the
she proved them wrong Google was the
she proved them wrong Google was the first person first company to take a bet
first person first company to take a bet
first person first company to take a bet on Sheryl made them made her their VP of
on Sheryl made them made her their VP of
on Sheryl made them made her their VP of Sales and Operations that worked out
Sales and Operations that worked out
Sales and Operations that worked out well for her and for the company
well for her and for the company
well for her and for the company no wonder Mark Zuckerberg the Curtin CEO
no wonder Mark Zuckerberg the Curtin CEO
no wonder Mark Zuckerberg the Curtin CEO of Facebook wanted to hire Sheryl she
of Facebook wanted to hire Sheryl she
of Facebook wanted to hire Sheryl she had such broad experiences across so
had such broad experiences across so
had such broad experiences across so many different geography sectors and
many different geography sectors and
many different geography sectors and issues and yet she was also extremely
issues and yet she was also extremely
issues and yet she was also extremely deep when it came to the functional
deep when it came to the functional
deep when it came to the functional capabilities needed to advance Facebook
capabilities needed to advance Facebook
capabilities needed to advance Facebook and scale it to a billion users she said
and scale it to a billion users she said
and scale it to a billion users she said for 14 years later I still love working
for 14 years later I still love working
for 14 years later I still love working in tech it was not my original plan but
in tech it was not my original plan but
in tech it was not my original plan but I got there eventually if you find
I got there eventually if you find
I got there eventually if you find yourself on one path but longing for
yourself on one path but longing for
yourself on one path but longing for another find that path you see these are
another find that path you see these are
another find that path you see these are big choices that Sheryl made and it may
big choices that Sheryl made and it may
big choices that Sheryl made and it may seem that being broad is exclusively
seem that being broad is exclusively
seem that being broad is exclusively about these big choices it may seem you
about these big choices it may seem you
about these big choices it may seem you have to make life changing career
have to make life changing career
have to make life changing career decisions transforming your life and
decisions transforming your life and
decisions transforming your life and those around you but there are many
those around you but there are many
those around you but there are many small steps you can take every day week
small steps you can take every day week
small steps you can take every day week and month – my friends aim is another
and month – my friends aim is another
and month – my friends aim is another example my friends aim is another
example my friends aim is another
example my friends aim is another example he’s actually a medical student
example he’s actually a medical student
example he’s actually a medical student was a medical student here at Western
was a medical student here at Western
was a medical student here at Western Ontario he was becoming a
Ontario he was becoming a
Ontario he was becoming a gastroenterology specialist one day he
gastroenterology specialist one day he
gastroenterology specialist one day he had a patient who was severely sick
had a patient who was severely sick
had a patient who was severely sick dangerously sick and wasn’t getting
dangerously sick and wasn’t getting
dangerously sick and wasn’t getting better every treatment they tried wasn’t
better every treatment they tried wasn’t
better every treatment they tried wasn’t working so in the lastest in a
working so in the lastest in a
working so in the lastest in a last-ditch effort they tried a new
last-ditch effort they tried a new
last-ditch effort they tried a new treatment that was unconventional she
treatment that was unconventional she
treatment that was unconventional she had a lot of bad bacteria in her
had a lot of bad bacteria in her
had a lot of bad bacteria in her intestinal tract and they said through a
intestinal tract and they said through a
intestinal tract and they said through a fecal transplant can we take someone’s
fecal transplant can we take someone’s
fecal transplant can we take someone’s good bacteria and injected into her bad
good bacteria and injected into her bad
good bacteria and injected into her bad bacteria and the book the good bacteria
bacteria and the book the good bacteria
bacteria and the book the good bacteria want and it saved her life and same was
want and it saved her life and same was
want and it saved her life and same was wonder why is this an unconventional
wonder why is this an unconventional
wonder why is this an unconventional treatment
treatment
treatment when he looked at the facts he found
when he looked at the facts he found
when he looked at the facts he found that the fecal transplant had 90%
that the fecal transplant had 90%
that the fecal transplant had 90% success rates and that over 30,000
success rates and that over 30,000
success rates and that over 30,000 people in the United States died every
people in the United States died every
people in the United States died every single year from this illness he saw
single year from this illness he saw
single year from this illness he saw that there was a patchwork of
that there was a patchwork of
that there was a patchwork of regulations and public health issues
regulations and public health issues
regulations and public health issues that prevented this from becoming
that prevented this from becoming
that prevented this from becoming commonplace and so he was at a
commonplace and so he was at a
commonplace and so he was at a crossroads do I continue being a
crossroads do I continue being a
crossroads do I continue being a practitioner and do things the old way
practitioner and do things the old way
practitioner and do things the old way or do I pivot to something brand new and
or do I pivot to something brand new and
or do I pivot to something brand new and try to build a new way of conducting
try to build a new way of conducting
try to build a new way of conducting medicine in this field everyone advised
medicine in this field everyone advised
medicine in this field everyone advised him stick to being a doctor
him stick to being a doctor
him stick to being a doctor staying on the conveyor belt but he
staying on the conveyor belt but he
staying on the conveyor belt but he dared to go broad he went off the track
dared to go broad he went off the track
dared to go broad he went off the track and took his master’s in public health
and took his master’s in public health
and took his master’s in public health along the way he met two founders of a
along the way he met two founders of a
along the way he met two founders of a nonprofit stool bank or what he affects
nonprofit stool bank or what he affects
nonprofit stool bank or what he affects and likes to call a poop bank and he
and likes to call a poop bank and he
and likes to call a poop bank and he became their first chief medical officer
became their first chief medical officer
became their first chief medical officer at the stool bank they’re making fecal
at the stool bank they’re making fecal
at the stool bank they’re making fecal transplants much easier cheaper and
transplants much easier cheaper and
transplants much easier cheaper and safer to do and in the last two years
safer to do and in the last two years
safer to do and in the last two years alone they’ve now treated 7,000 patients
alone they’ve now treated 7,000 patients
alone they’ve now treated 7,000 patients across 450 hospitals six countries
across 450 hospitals six countries
across 450 hospitals six countries they’ve saved the US healthcare system
they’ve saved the US healthcare system
they’ve saved the US healthcare system over 30 million dollars in growing and
over 30 million dollars in growing and
over 30 million dollars in growing and now 94% of all Americans can get a fecal
now 94% of all Americans can get a fecal
now 94% of all Americans can get a fecal transplant within four hours drive those
transplant within four hours drive those
transplant within four hours drive those are big public health wins and think
are big public health wins and think
are big public health wins and think about the impact he had Jane never
about the impact he had Jane never
about the impact he had Jane never thought he would be helping to run a
thought he would be helping to run a
thought he would be helping to run a poop bank but we asked him how do you
poop bank but we asked him how do you
poop bank but we asked him how do you feel about it now he said this is not
feel about it now he said this is not
feel about it now he said this is not the journey I anticipated but as I look
the journey I anticipated but as I look
the journey I anticipated but as I look back I couldn’t imagine it any other way
back I couldn’t imagine it any other way
back I couldn’t imagine it any other way that reminded me so much of a speech of
that reminded me so much of a speech of
that reminded me so much of a speech of that Steve Jobs gave at Stanford in 2005
that Steve Jobs gave at Stanford in 2005
that Steve Jobs gave at Stanford in 2005 to the commencement they already talked
to the commencement they already talked
to the commencement they already talked about at the age of 17 dropping out of
about at the age of 17 dropping out of
about at the age of 17 dropping out of college and dropping in to calligraphy
college and dropping in to calligraphy
college and dropping in to calligraphy classes only because he found it so
classes only because he found it so
classes only because he found it so fascinating he thought that there was no
fascinating he thought that there was no
fascinating he thought that there was no practical application for calligraphy
practical application for calligraphy
practical application for calligraphy but ten years later when he was
but ten years later when he was
but ten years later when he was designing the Mac with Steve Wozniak
designing the Mac with Steve Wozniak
designing the Mac with Steve Wozniak they brought all of that him beautiful
they brought all of that him beautiful
they brought all of that him beautiful typefaces proportionally spaced fonts
typefaces proportionally spaced fonts
typefaces proportionally spaced fonts Steve Jobs said you can’t connect the
Steve Jobs said you can’t connect the
Steve Jobs said you can’t connect the dots looking forward you can only
dots looking forward you can only
dots looking forward you can only connect them looking backward so you
connect them looking backward so you
connect them looking backward so you have to trust that the dots will connect
have to trust that the dots will connect
have to trust that the dots will connect in your future
in your future
in your future if you ask most people what they want to
if you ask most people what they want to
if you ask most people what they want to do with their lives most will not be
do with their lives most will not be
do with their lives most will not be able to tell you the answer with one
able to tell you the answer with one
able to tell you the answer with one hundred hundred percent certainty so why
hundred hundred percent certainty so why
hundred hundred percent certainty so why don’t what I want to offer three small
don’t what I want to offer three small
don’t what I want to offer three small steps you can take to effectively go
steps you can take to effectively go
steps you can take to effectively go abroad to find that passion it is
abroad to find that passion it is
abroad to find that passion it is certainly greater than just staying in
certainly greater than just staying in
certainly greater than just staying in your lane first consume new knowledge if
your lane first consume new knowledge if
your lane first consume new knowledge if you’re an engineer read the nonprofit
you’re an engineer read the nonprofit
you’re an engineer read the nonprofit quarterly if you’re a social worker read
quarterly if you’re a social worker read
quarterly if you’re a social worker read the harbor’s Harvard Business Review and
the harbor’s Harvard Business Review and
the harbor’s Harvard Business Review and if you are a philosophy or historian
if you are a philosophy or historian
if you are a philosophy or historian major read People magazine as you start
major read People magazine as you start
major read People magazine as you start to immerse yourself in the literature
to immerse yourself in the literature
to immerse yourself in the literature and the vocabulary of other areas so not
and the vocabulary of other areas so not
and the vocabulary of other areas so not only will you expand your interests but
only will you expand your interests but
only will you expand your interests but you’ll also start to develop the
you’ll also start to develop the
you’ll also start to develop the capacity for innovation to build your
capacity for innovation to build your
capacity for innovation to build your network if you’re a science major talk
network if you’re a science major talk
network if you’re a science major talk to journalism journalists students if
to journalism journalists students if
to journalism journalists students if you’re a policy maker talk to
you’re a policy maker talk to
you’re a policy maker talk to entrepreneurs as you engage with people
entrepreneurs as you engage with people
entrepreneurs as you engage with people who think very differently than you
who think very differently than you
who think very differently than you you’ll start to see opportunities for
you’ll start to see opportunities for
you’ll start to see opportunities for collaboration and cross-pollination
collaboration and cross-pollination
collaboration and cross-pollination emerge and lastly transfer your skills
emerge and lastly transfer your skills
emerge and lastly transfer your skills so if you’re say really good at
so if you’re say really good at
so if you’re say really good at accounting but you want to get involved
accounting but you want to get involved
accounting but you want to get involved in community issues find a nonprofit
in community issues find a nonprofit
in community issues find a nonprofit organization and offer to balance their
organization and offer to balance their
organization and offer to balance their books if you are very good at writing
books if you are very good at writing
books if you are very good at writing but want to join the technology sector
but want to join the technology sector
but want to join the technology sector start a technology blog and start
start a technology blog and start
start a technology blog and start reviewing the products of new companies
reviewing the products of new companies
reviewing the products of new companies that are coming out into the marketplace
that are coming out into the marketplace
that are coming out into the marketplace every small step you take towards
every small step you take towards
every small step you take towards breadth will increase the range of
breadth will increase the range of
breadth will increase the range of opportunities and experiences you have
opportunities and experiences you have
opportunities and experiences you have and get you closer on your way to
and get you closer on your way to
and get you closer on your way to finding what truly does Drive you for
finding what truly does Drive you for
finding what truly does Drive you for those of us who aren’t and we don’t know
those of us who aren’t and we don’t know
those of us who aren’t and we don’t know the single area we want to focus on and
the single area we want to focus on and
the single area we want to focus on and that’s a lot of us don’t listen to that
that’s a lot of us don’t listen to that
that’s a lot of us don’t listen to that pressure to specialize especially too
pressure to specialize especially too
pressure to specialize especially too early it is okay to want to do multiple
early it is okay to want to do multiple
early it is okay to want to do multiple things in your career in fact what we
things in your career in fact what we
things in your career in fact what we want you to do is to be broad it gives
want you to do is to be broad it gives
want you to do is to be broad it gives you a unique perspective on the world
you a unique perspective on the world
you a unique perspective on the world around you it helps you be more
around you it helps you be more
around you it helps you be more innovative collaborative and adaptable
innovative collaborative and adaptable
innovative collaborative and adaptable as Louis Pasteur the French scientist
as Louis Pasteur the French scientist
as Louis Pasteur the French scientist said in the fields of observation chance
said in the fields of observation chance
said in the fields of observation chance favors only the prepared mind
favors only the prepared mind
favors only the prepared mind so go broad and maximize your impact
so go broad and maximize your impact
so go broad and maximize your impact thank you
thank you
thank you [Applause]
”
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