Manifesto

We all have strengths, you have strengths, I have strengths. And we all have passions. You may have some obvious passions and some you are still discovering. The challenge can often be trying to align those strengths and passions. I am passionate about music, but it’s not my greatest strength. Tinkering on a guitar is a hobby I do when no one is watching. You may have those kind of ‘hobbies’ too and know exactly what I am talking about, or you may be someone who is great at everything they try (in which case I would like to meet you and learn your ways). In any case, a strength that I have, that I only recently recognized as one, is that I love to share what I am learning. I don’t have to work hard at it, it comes naturally. Teaching and learning about business is also a passion of mine. I hope that in combining this strength and passion I will be able to share with you valuable insights that I am learning that will help you to not only discover more of your passions, but also to inspire you to become a great business leader working in your strengths.

If you already know your overlapping passions and strengths, what’s stopping you from combining them and doing something remarkable? I believe that as people our greatest hinderance to achieving our potential is not in the obstacles surrounding us, but in the beliefs we hold within ourselves. I love the following quote by Marianne Williamson,

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.
Marianne Williamson

Sadly, the business world is largely fuelled by protectionism and fear. Decisions are implemented to control the outcomes and contracts are designed to control people. Win-win is not often the outcome, and the phrase “it’s just business” echoes between the valleys of the sky rises. However, not only do I believe that business can be done very differently, I have seen it. The founders of Club Penguin, one of the largest tech success stories in my hometown Kelowna, showed that an extremely successful business can be built and sold while maintaining integrity and a “win-win” approach for all. It is my intention to build a company in the same way. One focused on creating win-win outcomes for everyone involved. I realize that may sound optimistic, and I (and my business partners) have already faced many challenges along the way, but if you think business can be done differently, then why don’t you join me in this quest to not only build great companies, but change a culture along the way.

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