I get a lot of opportunities to speak to young people in my line of work and I
young people in my line of work and I
young people in my line of work and I find that one of the persistent
find that one of the persistent
find that one of the persistent questions that I get from them is this
questions that I get from them is this
questions that I get from them is this should I do it a passionate thing or
should I do it a passionate thing or
should I do it a passionate thing or should I just be really really practical
should I just be really really practical
should I just be really really practical and I think in Asia as a particularly
and I think in Asia as a particularly
and I think in Asia as a particularly like popular question and I find that
like popular question and I find that
like popular question and I find that the question I’d like to ask back to
the question I’d like to ask back to
the question I’d like to ask back to them is this who are you and why do you
them is this who are you and why do you
them is this who are you and why do you care so much about the thing that you
care so much about the thing that you
care so much about the thing that you just talked about what is it to you I
just talked about what is it to you I
just talked about what is it to you I also get a lot of opportunities to speak
also get a lot of opportunities to speak
also get a lot of opportunities to speak to leaders from the public sectors but
to leaders from the public sectors but
to leaders from the public sectors but as a private sector and I find this is
as a private sector and I find this is
as a private sector and I find this is the question that intrigues them they
the question that intrigues them they
the question that intrigues them they want to know how how do I get my people
want to know how how do I get my people
want to know how how do I get my people especially the young people to be
especially the young people to be
especially the young people to be innovative to be creative to be
innovative to be creative to be
innovative to be creative to be entrepreneurial to be all of the other
entrepreneurial to be all of the other
entrepreneurial to be all of the other like big words that I really care about
like big words that I really care about
like big words that I really care about right and I find that a good question to
right and I find that a good question to
right and I find that a good question to ask back is this who are you and why do
ask back is this who are you and why do
ask back is this who are you and why do you care about all of those big words
you care about all of those big words
you care about all of those big words you just said what is it to you and I
you just said what is it to you and I
you just said what is it to you and I find that these are two very important
find that these are two very important
find that these are two very important like groups to think about because you
like groups to think about because you
like groups to think about because you see those young people who cannot find a
see those young people who cannot find a
see those young people who cannot find a personally satisfying answer to that
personally satisfying answer to that
personally satisfying answer to that first question about passion versus
first question about passion versus
first question about passion versus pragmatism well they are going to be the
pragmatism well they are going to be the
pragmatism well they are going to be the ones who either struggle or stand in the
ones who either struggle or stand in the
ones who either struggle or stand in the way of that second group of people for
way of that second group of people for
way of that second group of people for wondering about all of that stuff
wondering about all of that stuff
wondering about all of that stuff everything else and just a word of
everything else and just a word of
everything else and just a word of caution this is not talked about like oh
caution this is not talked about like oh
caution this is not talked about like oh follow your passion and our life will be
follow your passion and our life will be
follow your passion and our life will be great in our economy or workout it’s not
great in our economy or workout it’s not
great in our economy or workout it’s not about that because if you google follow
about that because if you google follow
about that because if you google follow your passion you’ll find at least a good
your passion you’ll find at least a good
your passion you’ll find at least a good first before the five pages people
first before the five pages people
first before the five pages people writing articles after articles about
writing articles after articles about
writing articles after articles about why you shouldn’t follow your passion
why you shouldn’t follow your passion
why you shouldn’t follow your passion it’s a terrible idea and to save you
it’s a terrible idea and to save you
it’s a terrible idea and to save you some time I’ve done all the reading and
some time I’ve done all the reading and
some time I’ve done all the reading and this is roughly what they say right
this is roughly what they say right
this is roughly what they say right don’t follow your passion because number
don’t follow your passion because number
don’t follow your passion because number one your passion keeps changing all of
one your passion keeps changing all of
one your passion keeps changing all of the time oh my goodness one day is
the time oh my goodness one day is
the time oh my goodness one day is drumming and the second day is
drumming and the second day is
drumming and the second day is engineering right when’s it gonna stop
engineering right when’s it gonna stop
engineering right when’s it gonna stop and because you keep changing all the
and because you keep changing all the
and because you keep changing all the time you just don’t ever master it and
time you just don’t ever master it and
time you just don’t ever master it and you don’t get good at it which leads to
you don’t get good at it which leads to
you don’t get good at it which leads to the third problem but just if you don’t
the third problem but just if you don’t
the third problem but just if you don’t master it who’s gonna pay you for it
master it who’s gonna pay you for it
master it who’s gonna pay you for it you’re terrible at it right and isn’t
you’re terrible at it right and isn’t
you’re terrible at it right and isn’t that all kind of a really really selfish
that all kind of a really really selfish
that all kind of a really really selfish way to live and all of those things
way to live and all of those things
way to live and all of those things these guys are saying it’s true there is
these guys are saying it’s true there is
these guys are saying it’s true there is a truth to it but but I still think if
a truth to it but but I still think if
a truth to it but but I still think if we tell our young people don’t follow
we tell our young people don’t follow
we tell our young people don’t follow your passion well there is another
your passion well there is another
your passion well there is another deeper truth that we ignore to apparel
deeper truth that we ignore to apparel
deeper truth that we ignore to apparel and the truth is this you see there are
and the truth is this you see there are
and the truth is this you see there are some passions and there are some
some passions and there are some
some passions and there are some purposes that follow you they follow you
purposes that follow you they follow you
purposes that follow you they follow you you can’t even make a choice about it
you can’t even make a choice about it
you can’t even make a choice about it and for those of us who are grown up we
and for those of us who are grown up we
and for those of us who are grown up we know this because some of us we wake up
know this because some of us we wake up
know this because some of us we wake up 3040 years later and we wonder why is it
3040 years later and we wonder why is it
3040 years later and we wonder why is it still there I thought it went away
still there I thought it went away
still there I thought it went away you see if we want our people to be
you see if we want our people to be
you see if we want our people to be innovative to be creative to be
innovative to be creative to be
innovative to be creative to be entrepreneur I think it has a lot to do
entrepreneur I think it has a lot to do
entrepreneur I think it has a lot to do with getting people to really go deep
with getting people to really go deep
with getting people to really go deep and understand who are they and why do
and understand who are they and why do
and understand who are they and why do they care about the things that they
they care about the things that they
they care about the things that they care about
care about
care about we have to get them to know what is
we have to get them to know what is
we have to get them to know what is their purpose and their passion so let’s
their purpose and their passion so let’s
their purpose and their passion so let’s get some distinctions here what is
get some distinctions here what is
get some distinctions here what is purpose and what is passion in the first
purpose and what is passion in the first
purpose and what is passion in the first place right and I think there is a
place right and I think there is a
place right and I think there is a difference between what I call the small
difference between what I call the small
difference between what I call the small P passion and passion with a capital P
P passion and passion with a capital P
P passion and passion with a capital P which is a lot closer aligned to our
which is a lot closer aligned to our
which is a lot closer aligned to our purpose so let’s say I meet a young
purpose so let’s say I meet a young
purpose so let’s say I meet a young person and I asked them hey um tell me
person and I asked them hey um tell me
person and I asked them hey um tell me what you do and they say okay I’m gonna
what you do and they say okay I’m gonna
what you do and they say okay I’m gonna give you a silly example and they say oh
give you a silly example and they say oh
give you a silly example and they say oh I make buttons right III like making a
I make buttons right III like making a
I make buttons right III like making a red buttons blue buttons I hand-carved
red buttons blue buttons I hand-carved
red buttons blue buttons I hand-carved the buttons I machine press the buttons
the buttons I machine press the buttons
the buttons I machine press the buttons and I say oh that that’s really
and I say oh that that’s really
and I say oh that that’s really interesting now tell me why you care so
interesting now tell me why you care so
interesting now tell me why you care so much about buttons and the young person
much about buttons and the young person
much about buttons and the young person sits down thinks and says I don’t know
sits down thinks and says I don’t know
sits down thinks and says I don’t know it’s just something that I do well then
it’s just something that I do well then
it’s just something that I do well then that to me it’s just a small P passion
that to me it’s just a small P passion
that to me it’s just a small P passion they may love it but it’s not very very
they may love it but it’s not very very
they may love it but it’s not very very deeply aligned to their purpose but
deeply aligned to their purpose but
deeply aligned to their purpose but let’s say I push that button making kit
let’s say I push that button making kit
let’s say I push that button making kit and saying no no don’t tell me it
and saying no no don’t tell me it
and saying no no don’t tell me it because nobody talks about button making
because nobody talks about button making
because nobody talks about button making like that tell me again why do you do it
like that tell me again why do you do it
like that tell me again why do you do it and the kid after a while says okay this
and the kid after a while says okay this
and the kid after a while says okay this is gonna sound very stupid and I never
is gonna sound very stupid and I never
is gonna sound very stupid and I never told anyone before but when I make the
told anyone before but when I make the
told anyone before but when I make the buttons I I just feel like this is so me
buttons I I just feel like this is so me
buttons I I just feel like this is so me I I feel alive I feel right now really
I I feel alive I feel right now really
I I feel alive I feel right now really stupid for telling you this because now
stupid for telling you this because now
stupid for telling you this because now everyone’s gonna think I’m an idiot
everyone’s gonna think I’m an idiot
everyone’s gonna think I’m an idiot right and I think that’s interesting
right and I think that’s interesting
right and I think that’s interesting because that becomes a lot closer I
because that becomes a lot closer I
because that becomes a lot closer I believe
believe
believe – what is that buzzing this big pee
– what is that buzzing this big pee
– what is that buzzing this big pee passion and big pee purpose you see
passion and big pee purpose you see
passion and big pee purpose you see because when you start to talk about it
because when you start to talk about it
because when you start to talk about it it gets a bit scary because now you’re
it gets a bit scary because now you’re
it gets a bit scary because now you’re forced to be vulnerable it’s a lot
forced to be vulnerable it’s a lot
forced to be vulnerable it’s a lot closer to who you are so why is our big
closer to who you are so why is our big
closer to who you are so why is our big pee passion or our purpose such a
pee passion or our purpose such a
pee passion or our purpose such a vulnerable thing well following your
vulnerable thing well following your
vulnerable thing well following your passion or following your purpose is
passion or following your purpose is
passion or following your purpose is asking you to follow into a very special
asking you to follow into a very special
asking you to follow into a very special type of suffering and it shouldn’t
type of suffering and it shouldn’t
type of suffering and it shouldn’t surprise us because at a root word the
surprise us because at a root word the
surprise us because at a root word the root word of passion is to suffer so if
root word of passion is to suffer so if
root word of passion is to suffer so if I want to get a follow their passion i
I want to get a follow their passion i
I want to get a follow their passion i have to prepare them mentally I’m asking
have to prepare them mentally I’m asking
have to prepare them mentally I’m asking you to suffer and what does that mean in
you to suffer and what does that mean in
you to suffer and what does that mean in all of us I don’t care whether you’re
all of us I don’t care whether you’re
all of us I don’t care whether you’re prime minister or big CEO or just a kid
prime minister or big CEO or just a kid
prime minister or big CEO or just a kid studying to be a chef or just like a
studying to be a chef or just like a
studying to be a chef or just like a regular employee this is what I know to
regular employee this is what I know to
regular employee this is what I know to be true
be true
be true in all of us there’s one there two big
in all of us there’s one there two big
in all of us there’s one there two big groups of stories one is our story of
groups of stories one is our story of
groups of stories one is our story of how things should be how I should be and
how things should be how I should be and
how things should be how I should be and another is a big group of story it’s
another is a big group of story it’s
another is a big group of story it’s called the way things are the way I
called the way things are the way I
called the way things are the way I really am and the thing none of us like
really am and the thing none of us like
really am and the thing none of us like to talk about is this there is
to talk about is this there is
to talk about is this there is fundamentally always a gap between the
fundamentally always a gap between the
fundamentally always a gap between the way things should be the way I should be
way things should be the way I should be
way things should be the way I should be and the way things are there’s always
and the way things are there’s always
and the way things are there’s always again and the thing is if you care very
again and the thing is if you care very
again and the thing is if you care very very deeply about something about a work
very deeply about something about a work
very deeply about something about a work that you do about the values you bring
that you do about the values you bring
that you do about the values you bring to the world then guess what your gap is
to the world then guess what your gap is
to the world then guess what your gap is very big the world of should be is so
very big the world of should be is so
very big the world of should be is so high and you suddenly realize how low
high and you suddenly realize how low
high and you suddenly realize how low how you really are
how you really are
how you really are to follow your passion is to suffer in
to follow your passion is to suffer in
to follow your passion is to suffer in this gap between the should be of all of
this gap between the should be of all of
this gap between the should be of all of the possibilities and opportunities you
the possibilities and opportunities you
the possibilities and opportunities you believe in the world and there are of
believe in the world and there are of
believe in the world and there are of how imperfect you are how challenging
how imperfect you are how challenging
how imperfect you are how challenging the circumstances is and that is no
the circumstances is and that is no
the circumstances is and that is no wonder that a lot of us don’t want to
wonder that a lot of us don’t want to
wonder that a lot of us don’t want to live there and so we all choose to close
live there and so we all choose to close
live there and so we all choose to close the gap
the gap
the gap some of us who are very very idealistic
some of us who are very very idealistic
some of us who are very very idealistic this is how we choose to close the gap
this is how we choose to close the gap
this is how we choose to close the gap we will choose to live all the way up
we will choose to live all the way up
we will choose to live all the way up here in our world of should be the story
here in our world of should be the story
here in our world of should be the story of our oh it doesn’t exist right let’s
of our oh it doesn’t exist right let’s
of our oh it doesn’t exist right let’s ignore all the hard issues and the real
ignore all the hard issues and the real
ignore all the hard issues and the real problems and if that is your inclination
problems and if that is your inclination
problems and if that is your inclination these are the emotions that you will
these are the emotions that you will
these are the emotions that you will tend to feel more anger ambition
tend to feel more anger ambition
tend to feel more anger ambition mindfulness hope these are not good or
mindfulness hope these are not good or
mindfulness hope these are not good or bad emotions these are just simply
bad emotions these are just simply
bad emotions these are just simply and they’re all very healthy to feel
and they’re all very healthy to feel
and they’re all very healthy to feel what we should pay attention though is
what we should pay attention though is
what we should pay attention though is if you live in them until they become a
if you live in them until they become a
if you live in them until they become a habit they are you’re moving a permanent
habit they are you’re moving a permanent
habit they are you’re moving a permanent version of anger ambition mindfulness
version of anger ambition mindfulness
version of anger ambition mindfulness and hope the permanent version is
and hope the permanent version is
and hope the permanent version is delusion and contempt but for those of
delusion and contempt but for those of
delusion and contempt but for those of us who are more practically in kind well
us who are more practically in kind well
us who are more practically in kind well this is how we deal with it
this is how we deal with it
this is how we deal with it the story of should be all our values
the story of should be all our values
the story of should be all our values our deals those big fancy mission
our deals those big fancy mission
our deals those big fancy mission statements all those opportunities I
statements all those opportunities I
statements all those opportunities I believed in forget it it doesn’t exist
believed in forget it it doesn’t exist
believed in forget it it doesn’t exist let’s just take life as it is lived down
let’s just take life as it is lived down
let’s just take life as it is lived down here and I’m gonna pull everyone down
here and I’m gonna pull everyone down
here and I’m gonna pull everyone down here to live here right here with me and
here to live here right here with me and
here to live here right here with me and if that is you these are the emotions
if that is you these are the emotions
if that is you these are the emotions that you will tend to feel peace
that you will tend to feel peace
that you will tend to feel peace cynicism fear regret all perfectly
cynicism fear regret all perfectly
cynicism fear regret all perfectly healthy emotions to feel and again your
healthy emotions to feel and again your
healthy emotions to feel and again your concern should be if you live in them
concern should be if you live in them
concern should be if you live in them permanently like a mood because the
permanently like a mood because the
permanently like a mood because the permanent version of these emotions is
permanent version of these emotions is
permanent version of these emotions is apathy and indifference and so you see
apathy and indifference and so you see
apathy and indifference and so you see both extreme idealism and extreme
both extreme idealism and extreme
both extreme idealism and extreme pragmatism are actually unsustainable
pragmatism are actually unsustainable
pragmatism are actually unsustainable and unhealthy ways to live they make you
and unhealthy ways to live they make you
and unhealthy ways to live they make you allow the employee and ma you allow the
allow the employee and ma you allow the
allow the employee and ma you allow the CEO the most successful and balanced
CEO the most successful and balanced
CEO the most successful and balanced people that you will meet the healthiest
people that you will meet the healthiest
people that you will meet the healthiest people that you meet the kind of the
people that you meet the kind of the
people that you meet the kind of the success that you want these are the ones
success that you want these are the ones
success that you want these are the ones who are willing to say there is again I
who are willing to say there is again I
who are willing to say there is again I believe in a shoot peace I also see how
believe in a shoot peace I also see how
believe in a shoot peace I also see how things are and because I can all of
things are and because I can all of
things are and because I can all of these emotions I live in them every day
these emotions I live in them every day
these emotions I live in them every day that’s how it is and what’s interesting
that’s how it is and what’s interesting
that’s how it is and what’s interesting is the moment that we are able to be
is the moment that we are able to be
is the moment that we are able to be honest and vulnerable not just about our
honest and vulnerable not just about our
honest and vulnerable not just about our passions but our vulnerabilities as well
passions but our vulnerabilities as well
passions but our vulnerabilities as well we create a very very interesting space
we create a very very interesting space
we create a very very interesting space for someone else in the room to step in
for someone else in the room to step in
for someone else in the room to step in and say me too I didn’t know you saw
and say me too I didn’t know you saw
and say me too I didn’t know you saw that and you saw that too and you see
that and you saw that too and you see
that and you saw that too and you see when you create that compassion is a
when you create that compassion is a
when you create that compassion is a very interesting thing we think is a
very interesting thing we think is a
very interesting thing we think is a fuzzy fuzzy word but it’s not there’s a
fuzzy fuzzy word but it’s not there’s a
fuzzy fuzzy word but it’s not there’s a great strength in it compassion is the
great strength in it compassion is the
great strength in it compassion is the willingness to suffer together with if
willingness to suffer together with if
willingness to suffer together with if you look at the most
you look at the most
you look at the most the most popular cult brands out there
the most popular cult brands out there
the most popular cult brands out there and you wonder why do some customers
and you wonder why do some customers
and you wonder why do some customers stick to that brand like crazy even
stick to that brand like crazy even
stick to that brand like crazy even though that brand is going through so
though that brand is going through so
though that brand is going through so much suffering and you look at some
much suffering and you look at some
much suffering and you look at some companies and wonder why do some
companies and wonder why do some
companies and wonder why do some employees stick with some employee and
employees stick with some employee and
employees stick with some employee and they suffer with that employer well it’s
they suffer with that employer well it’s
they suffer with that employer well it’s because they are in compassion with them
because they are in compassion with them
because they are in compassion with them it is in that space of compassion where
it is in that space of compassion where
it is in that space of compassion where the most meaningful the most joyful and
the most meaningful the most joyful and
the most meaningful the most joyful and the most sustainable partnerships
the most sustainable partnerships
the most sustainable partnerships collaborations customers and
collaborations customers and
collaborations customers and opportunities can be found when I
opportunities can be found when I
opportunities can be found when I started school of thought at 25 right
started school of thought at 25 right
started school of thought at 25 right this was 15 years ago well we started it
this was 15 years ago well we started it
this was 15 years ago well we started it because we care about young people
because we care about young people
because we care about young people caring about the world that’s it and the
caring about the world that’s it and the
caring about the world that’s it and the kitchen Center just was a convenient way
kitchen Center just was a convenient way
kitchen Center just was a convenient way of doing it and five years later when we
of doing it and five years later when we
of doing it and five years later when we decided you know we see that to help
decided you know we see that to help
decided you know we see that to help young people care it’s actually
young people care it’s actually
young people care it’s actually important to help them understand
important to help them understand
important to help them understand complex world issues because no one’s
complex world issues because no one’s
complex world issues because no one’s actually reaching out to the Asian young
actually reaching out to the Asian young
actually reaching out to the Asian young person and telling them though all this
person and telling them though all this
person and telling them though all this stuff happening in a world there’s an
stuff happening in a world there’s an
stuff happening in a world there’s an easier way to understand it and we went
easier way to understand it and we went
easier way to understand it and we went into publishing not because we know
into publishing not because we know
into publishing not because we know about publishing not because we care
about publishing not because we care
about publishing not because we care about publishing per se but we care
about publishing per se but we care
about publishing per se but we care about the kids and that’s when we
about the kids and that’s when we
about the kids and that’s when we ventured into publishing magazines and
ventured into publishing magazines and
ventured into publishing magazines and at the same time when we realized if we
at the same time when we realized if we
at the same time when we realized if we want to help young people we can’t just
want to help young people we can’t just
want to help young people we can’t just stop at young people we need to somehow
stop at young people we need to somehow
stop at young people we need to somehow reach to the adults as well and if you
reach to the adults as well and if you
reach to the adults as well and if you stay at school and you just stay
stay at school and you just stay
stay at school and you just stay publishing well the adults won’t think
publishing well the adults won’t think
publishing well the adults won’t think it’s relevant to them but if I start a
it’s relevant to them but if I start a
it’s relevant to them but if I start a restaurant everyone feels like they can
restaurant everyone feels like they can
restaurant everyone feels like they can walk to a restaurant and at the
walk to a restaurant and at the
walk to a restaurant and at the restaurant I will enroll you and help
restaurant I will enroll you and help
restaurant I will enroll you and help you see what these issues are about and
you see what these issues are about and
you see what these issues are about and our tenth-year mom when we had a hundred
our tenth-year mom when we had a hundred
our tenth-year mom when we had a hundred over staff strong and financial and
over staff strong and financial and
over staff strong and financial and organizational issues are really really
organizational issues are really really
organizational issues are really really coming to the crunch well that’s when
coming to the crunch well that’s when
coming to the crunch well that’s when you start to really really ask yourself
you start to really really ask yourself
you start to really really ask yourself well look over 10 years we’ve done so
well look over 10 years we’ve done so
well look over 10 years we’ve done so much stuff we teach we write we design
much stuff we teach we write we design
much stuff we teach we write we design we really trails we run restaurants well
we really trails we run restaurants well
we really trails we run restaurants well who are we really I mean because if we
who are we really I mean because if we
who are we really I mean because if we are going to potentially lose it all if
are going to potentially lose it all if
are going to potentially lose it all if we may one day go broke doing this who
we may one day go broke doing this who
we may one day go broke doing this who are we and why are we doing this form
are we and why are we doing this form
are we and why are we doing this form because if we don’t have a good enough
because if we don’t have a good enough
because if we don’t have a good enough answer for this we might as well not do
answer for this we might as well not do
answer for this we might as well not do it and the weird part is it came down to
it and the weird part is it came down to
it and the weird part is it came down to this
this
this I don’t really care about the methods
I don’t really care about the methods
I don’t really care about the methods but I care about the mission and we
but I care about the mission and we
but I care about the mission and we realize all we want is to help is to
realize all we want is to help is to
realize all we want is to help is to help any organization that shares our
help any organization that shares our
help any organization that shares our care about helping people not be
care about helping people not be
care about helping people not be apathetic so we will design any
apathetic so we will design any
apathetic so we will design any solutions that we have the talent to do
solutions that we have the talent to do
solutions that we have the talent to do and when we started to tell that story
and when we started to tell that story
and when we started to tell that story for the first time in public and we
for the first time in public and we
for the first time in public and we wondered who’s listening who cares
wondered who’s listening who cares
wondered who’s listening who cares do we sound stupid talking about this
do we sound stupid talking about this
do we sound stupid talking about this and it surprised us again and again
and it surprised us again and again
and it surprised us again and again which organizations stepped in the GIC
which organizations stepped in the GIC
which organizations stepped in the GIC is one of Singapore’s organizations that
is one of Singapore’s organizations that
is one of Singapore’s organizations that invest the country’s national reserves
invest the country’s national reserves
invest the country’s national reserves and they stepped in and they said we
and they stepped in and they said we
and they stepped in and they said we don’t really understand who you are but
don’t really understand who you are but
don’t really understand who you are but I get it that you care and here’s
I get it that you care and here’s
I get it that you care and here’s something that we care about we care
something that we care about we care
something that we care about we care about average 15 year old teenager
about average 15 year old teenager
about average 15 year old teenager understanding what are the stakes
understanding what are the stakes
understanding what are the stakes involved in investing a country’s
involved in investing a country’s
involved in investing a country’s reserves and we said we can and we also
reserves and we said we can and we also
reserves and we said we can and we also care enough to tell you that 15 years
care enough to tell you that 15 years
care enough to tell you that 15 years don’t care but what you just said but
don’t care but what you just said but
don’t care but what you just said but they love zombie apocalypse good no
they love zombie apocalypse good no
they love zombie apocalypse good no computer games and if you give us a
computer games and if you give us a
computer games and if you give us a chance which you pay us to research and
chance which you pay us to research and
chance which you pay us to research and develop a game for you and we will bring
develop a game for you and we will bring
develop a game for you and we will bring as many young people through and I
as many young people through and I
as many young people through and I promise you every single principle you
promise you every single principle you
promise you every single principle you care about
care about
care about I will embed it in the game and they
I will embed it in the game and they
I will embed it in the game and they said we trust you and similarly when a
said we trust you and similarly when a
said we trust you and similarly when a Ministry of Defense came to us and they
Ministry of Defense came to us and they
Ministry of Defense came to us and they said look we don’t really understand who
said look we don’t really understand who
said look we don’t really understand who you are you’re not a normal ad agency or
you are you’re not a normal ad agency or
you are you’re not a normal ad agency or a marketing company but we think you
a marketing company but we think you
a marketing company but we think you care about the same things that we do we
care about the same things that we do we
care about the same things that we do we care about young people understanding
care about young people understanding
care about young people understanding that a country’s defense it’s not just
that a country’s defense it’s not just
that a country’s defense it’s not just about the army tanks and the police
about the army tanks and the police
about the army tanks and the police officers it’s about social issues it’s
officers it’s about social issues it’s
officers it’s about social issues it’s about psychological defense as well do
about psychological defense as well do
about psychological defense as well do you care about that and if you do would
you care about that and if you do would
you care about that and if you do would you come in and bid for a job and we
you come in and bid for a job and we
you come in and bid for a job and we said sure and we design an exhibition
said sure and we design an exhibition
said sure and we design an exhibition for the Ministry of Defence that looks
for the Ministry of Defence that looks
for the Ministry of Defence that looks more like it came from a nap console or
more like it came from a nap console or
more like it came from a nap console or something and they trusted us for that
something and they trusted us for that
something and they trusted us for that and similarly when one of the country’s
and similarly when one of the country’s
and similarly when one of the country’s most respect that nonprofit
most respect that nonprofit
most respect that nonprofit organizations came in and they said we
organizations came in and they said we
organizations came in and they said we know you don’t have Social Work
know you don’t have Social Work
know you don’t have Social Work background but we get it that you care
background but we get it that you care
background but we get it that you care about the same things that we do we want
about the same things that we do we want
about the same things that we do we want to build a new kind of family service
to build a new kind of family service
to build a new kind of family service center where not just people from
center where not just people from
center where not just people from low-income families but people from
low-income families but people from
low-income families but people from regular families feel like there is
regular families feel like there is
regular families feel like there is nothing
nothing
nothing wrong with just stepping in and helping
wrong with just stepping in and helping
wrong with just stepping in and helping each other out for too long family
each other out for too long family
each other out for too long family service centers have felt that is very
service centers have felt that is very
service centers have felt that is very depressing only low-income people can
depressing only low-income people can
depressing only low-income people can want yet will you help us redesign this
want yet will you help us redesign this
want yet will you help us redesign this and we say yes and we stepped in and we
and we say yes and we stepped in and we
and we say yes and we stepped in and we redesign a place where everyone can walk
redesign a place where everyone can walk
redesign a place where everyone can walk in and it doesn’t feel like there’s any
in and it doesn’t feel like there’s any
in and it doesn’t feel like there’s any shame or any gay love walking in at all
shame or any gay love walking in at all
shame or any gay love walking in at all it feels more like a cafe than anything
it feels more like a cafe than anything
it feels more like a cafe than anything and every time an organization has come
and every time an organization has come
and every time an organization has come and said well they’re all of these
and said well they’re all of these
and said well they’re all of these things we care about we’re not sure if
things we care about we’re not sure if
things we care about we’re not sure if you do that we step in and we say yes we
you do that we step in and we say yes we
you do that we step in and we say yes we care about patient outcomes and
care about patient outcomes and
care about patient outcomes and hospitals we care about policy outcomes
hospitals we care about policy outcomes
hospitals we care about policy outcomes for civil servants and we care about the
for civil servants and we care about the
for civil servants and we care about the work done by social workers so we’ve run
work done by social workers so we’ve run
work done by social workers so we’ve run training programs to teach people to
training programs to teach people to
training programs to teach people to think and feel the way that we do so
think and feel the way that we do so
think and feel the way that we do so these are three things three simple
these are three things three simple
these are three things three simple things that I’ve learned so far about
things that I’ve learned so far about
things that I’ve learned so far about why it is practical to care so much
why it is practical to care so much
why it is practical to care so much about your passion and your purpose and
about your passion and your purpose and
about your passion and your purpose and is this in my line of what we know this
is this in my line of what we know this
is this in my line of what we know this to be true there are four indicators
to be true there are four indicators
to be true there are four indicators that people look for to decide whether
that people look for to decide whether
that people look for to decide whether they trust you not do you care
they trust you not do you care
they trust you not do you care are you sincere are you competent and
are you sincere are you competent and
are you sincere are you competent and are you reliable and the most important
are you reliable and the most important
are you reliable and the most important indicator is do you care because if
indicator is do you care because if
indicator is do you care because if people think you don’t care then how
people think you don’t care then how
people think you don’t care then how reliable you are how competent you are
reliable you are how competent you are
reliable you are how competent you are how sincere you are it all goes down the
how sincere you are it all goes down the
how sincere you are it all goes down the drain the topmost is do you care and
drain the topmost is do you care and
drain the topmost is do you care and every single meeting when I sit in with
every single meeting when I sit in with
every single meeting when I sit in with someone
someone
someone I am listening in what do you care about
I am listening in what do you care about
I am listening in what do you care about and I ask myself do I care about the
and I ask myself do I care about the
and I ask myself do I care about the same thing and if we do that is a great
same thing and if we do that is a great
same thing and if we do that is a great job to be on so these are the kind of
job to be on so these are the kind of
job to be on so these are the kind of questions that I hear and they sound
questions that I hear and they sound
questions that I hear and they sound very different they all sound like ha
very different they all sound like ha
very different they all sound like ha but how can you do this this this and
but how can you do this this this and
but how can you do this this this and this it’s all off entick to the stuff we
this it’s all off entick to the stuff we
this it’s all off entick to the stuff we care about they care we can we’re all in
care about they care we can we’re all in
care about they care we can we’re all in you see an economy
you see an economy
you see an economy sometimes as young people we get a bit
sometimes as young people we get a bit
sometimes as young people we get a bit crazy like oh my goodness what’s
crazy like oh my goodness what’s
crazy like oh my goodness what’s happening to the economy and all that
happening to the economy and all that
happening to the economy and all that well an economy let me put it very
well an economy let me put it very
well an economy let me put it very simply to you I think the economist may
simply to you I think the economist may
simply to you I think the economist may not agree but this is how I see it but
not agree but this is how I see it but
not agree but this is how I see it but an economy is nothing more than a
an economy is nothing more than a
an economy is nothing more than a collection of needs that are waiting to
collection of needs that are waiting to
collection of needs that are waiting to be met and the world will never ever run
be met and the world will never ever run
be met and the world will never ever run out of needs never so the question we
out of needs never so the question we
out of needs never so the question we have to ask ourself is are we willing to
have to ask ourself is are we willing to
have to ask ourself is are we willing to step into the gap and meet that person’s
step into the gap and meet that person’s
step into the gap and meet that person’s needs meet at
needs meet at
needs meet at zatia needs do we care about the same
zatia needs do we care about the same
zatia needs do we care about the same things that they care about and the
things that they care about and the
things that they care about and the thing is people want someone to help
thing is people want someone to help
thing is people want someone to help them their needs but more importantly
them their needs but more importantly
them their needs but more importantly they want someone they can trust and
they want someone they can trust and
they want someone they can trust and remember it’s about do you care and the
remember it’s about do you care and the
remember it’s about do you care and the most unique selling proposition that you
most unique selling proposition that you
most unique selling proposition that you have is your home and your wife you step
have is your home and your wife you step
have is your home and your wife you step in and you you yourself are the most
in and you you yourself are the most
in and you you yourself are the most valuable offer you can bring into a room
valuable offer you can bring into a room
valuable offer you can bring into a room only when you know your passion and your
only when you know your passion and your
only when you know your passion and your purpose do you find the inspiration to
purpose do you find the inspiration to
purpose do you find the inspiration to get skillful no one wants to get a skill
get skillful no one wants to get a skill
get skillful no one wants to get a skill for a skill C but you will pursue the
for a skill C but you will pursue the
for a skill C but you will pursue the skill to the ends of the earth and
skill to the ends of the earth and
skill to the ends of the earth and master it if it’s linked to something
master it if it’s linked to something
master it if it’s linked to something you deeply care about I think for us
you deeply care about I think for us
you deeply care about I think for us especially in Asia when we talk about
especially in Asia when we talk about
especially in Asia when we talk about work we make it all about what we do and
work we make it all about what we do and
work we make it all about what we do and how we do it and our conversations stay
how we do it and our conversations stay
how we do it and our conversations stay stuck down there and the thing is if all
stuck down there and the thing is if all
stuck down there and the thing is if all we know about ourselves is all we
we know about ourselves is all we
we know about ourselves is all we understand about selves and all we speak
understand about selves and all we speak
understand about selves and all we speak and offer of ourselves is what we do and
and offer of ourselves is what we do and
and offer of ourselves is what we do and how we do it well you’re always going to
how we do it well you’re always going to
how we do it well you’re always going to be vulnerable to disruptions because
be vulnerable to disruptions because
be vulnerable to disruptions because disruption always happens in the realm
disruption always happens in the realm
disruption always happens in the realm of house and what’s so imagine if I ask
of house and what’s so imagine if I ask
of house and what’s so imagine if I ask that button maker boy
that button maker boy
that button maker boy well how are things going today oh it’s
well how are things going today oh it’s
well how are things going today oh it’s terrible no one wants to make buttons
terrible no one wants to make buttons
terrible no one wants to make buttons anymore and it’s oh gosh the robots are
anymore and it’s oh gosh the robots are
anymore and it’s oh gosh the robots are coming and then Amazon is coming into
coming and then Amazon is coming into
coming and then Amazon is coming into the industry is my goodness
the industry is my goodness
the industry is my goodness like I feel really bad maybe I should go
like I feel really bad maybe I should go
like I feel really bad maybe I should go and drive a taxi right now right and I
and drive a taxi right now right and I
and drive a taxi right now right and I say wait wait wait
say wait wait wait
say wait wait wait tell me why you make buttons again and
tell me why you make buttons again and
tell me why you make buttons again and if he says well I told you before you
if he says well I told you before you
if he says well I told you before you know the stupid thing about I care about
know the stupid thing about I care about
know the stupid thing about I care about people’s clothes fastening together and
people’s clothes fastening together and
people’s clothes fastening together and all that what’s that got to do with
all that what’s that got to do with
all that what’s that got to do with anything and I say we you’re what and
anything and I say we you’re what and
anything and I say we you’re what and your house has changed but your wife has
your house has changed but your wife has
your house has changed but your wife has not there has never been disrupted
not there has never been disrupted
not there has never been disrupted you can still do the thing that you most
you can still do the thing that you most
you can still do the thing that you most care about but then making is just what
care about but then making is just what
care about but then making is just what you did it’s not who you are and why
you did it’s not who you are and why
you did it’s not who you are and why your organization lives so tell me is it
your organization lives so tell me is it
your organization lives so tell me is it possible for you to go into velcro is it
possible for you to go into velcro is it
possible for you to go into velcro is it possible for you’re going to fabric glue
possible for you’re going to fabric glue
possible for you’re going to fabric glue yes yes and yes because your mission is
yes yes and yes because your mission is
yes yes and yes because your mission is still the same you see if we ask people
still the same you see if we ask people
still the same you see if we ask people to dig deep into their Y and Yahoo and
to dig deep into their Y and Yahoo and
to dig deep into their Y and Yahoo and we teach them off
we teach them off
we teach them off from that depths that is a surprising
from that depths that is a surprising
from that depths that is a surprising well of possibility and relevance and
well of possibility and relevance and
well of possibility and relevance and stability and it is a very very thing
stability and it is a very very thing
stability and it is a very very thing that we need to weather all of the
that we need to weather all of the
that we need to weather all of the challenges in the world and the last
challenges in the world and the last
challenges in the world and the last thing I want to share is this it’s not
thing I want to share is this it’s not
thing I want to share is this it’s not about you it’s not about you and a
about you it’s not about you and a
about you it’s not about you and a moment you make it about you you have
moment you make it about you you have
moment you make it about you you have lost the point you have lost irrelevance
lost the point you have lost irrelevance
lost the point you have lost irrelevance to the world our passions and our
to the world our passions and our
to the world our passions and our purposes have been put in us to serve
purposes have been put in us to serve
purposes have been put in us to serve someone else and I want to wrap this up
someone else and I want to wrap this up
someone else and I want to wrap this up with a short story years ago when I
with a short story years ago when I
with a short story years ago when I started a magazine and I was writing and
started a magazine and I was writing and
started a magazine and I was writing and designing all by myself it was a one-man
designing all by myself it was a one-man
designing all by myself it was a one-man operation right and I was driving myself
operation right and I was driving myself
operation right and I was driving myself crazy thinking oh yes why am I doing
crazy thinking oh yes why am I doing
crazy thinking oh yes why am I doing this for I should just quit this and do
this for I should just quit this and do
this for I should just quit this and do something normal right get a regular
something normal right get a regular
something normal right get a regular salary and be done of it and I thought
salary and be done of it and I thought
salary and be done of it and I thought no no no I just keep doing it just
no no no I just keep doing it just
no no no I just keep doing it just believe just believe years later when I
believe just believe years later when I
believe just believe years later when I was teaching in school of thought first
was teaching in school of thought first
was teaching in school of thought first class of the year complete group of
class of the year complete group of
class of the year complete group of strangers a young kid comes up to me and
strangers a young kid comes up to me and
strangers a young kid comes up to me and she asked can I talk to you and we sit
she asked can I talk to you and we sit
she asked can I talk to you and we sit down and we have a pretty difficult
down and we have a pretty difficult
down and we have a pretty difficult conversation but something that’s going
conversation but something that’s going
conversation but something that’s going on in her family and she was really
on in her family and she was really
on in her family and she was really struggling with whether she should
struggling with whether she should
struggling with whether she should forgive the adults in her life and all
forgive the adults in her life and all
forgive the adults in her life and all that and at the end of the conversation
that and at the end of the conversation
that and at the end of the conversation I asked her I am a complete stranger to
I asked her I am a complete stranger to
I asked her I am a complete stranger to you why did you sit down and talk to me
you why did you sit down and talk to me
you why did you sit down and talk to me for 3-4 hours about what was going on
for 3-4 hours about what was going on
for 3-4 hours about what was going on you don’t know who I am
you don’t know who I am
you don’t know who I am and her answer stays with me to the end
and her answer stays with me to the end
and her answer stays with me to the end of the day she said it’s not true that
of the day she said it’s not true that
of the day she said it’s not true that you don’t know that I don’t know who you
you don’t know that I don’t know who you
you don’t know that I don’t know who you are all those years and all those things
are all those years and all those things
are all those years and all those things was going on my family I subscribe to
was going on my family I subscribe to
was going on my family I subscribe to your magazines I read the articles I pay
your magazines I read the articles I pay
your magazines I read the articles I pay attention to who writes it and I get who
attention to who writes it and I get who
attention to who writes it and I get who you are and I know what you care about
you are and I know what you care about
you are and I know what you care about and I made up my mind yesterday that
and I made up my mind yesterday that
and I made up my mind yesterday that I’ll come here and look for you and you
I’ll come here and look for you and you
I’ll come here and look for you and you would be the first adult our trust and
would be the first adult our trust and
would be the first adult our trust and talk about these issues with you don’t
talk about these issues with you don’t
talk about these issues with you don’t know what you put out there because you
know what you put out there because you
know what you put out there because you care about your stuff so yeah please go
care about your stuff so yeah please go
care about your stuff so yeah please go out understand your passions understand
out understand your passions understand
out understand your passions understand your purposes but don’t leave it there
your purposes but don’t leave it there
your purposes but don’t leave it there that’s not enough you have to mature
that’s not enough you have to mature
that’s not enough you have to mature them into a compassion for someone
them into a compassion for someone
them into a compassion for someone else’s needs because only when you do
else’s needs because only when you do
else’s needs because only when you do that is when you can convert it into an
that is when you can convert it into an
that is when you can convert it into an opportunity and if you look at work that
opportunity and if you look at work that
opportunity and if you look at work that way you would want to go to
way you would want to go to
way you would want to go to well every single day thank you
well every single day thank you
well every single day thank you [Applause]
”
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