Hello everyone, and Happy Canada Day!
On this radiant #CanadaDay, I am deeply grateful for the privilege of calling this awe-inspiring nation my home. Canada, just as is the case for each of us, has had its share of challenges while celebrating many accomplishments. We all acknowledge that there remains work to be done to ensure everyone amongst us feels truly valued and included. Despite its imperfections, I strongly believe that we are unwavering in our support for its journey toward improvement, striving to be a more inclusive home for all its citizens.
To those with deep roots here, to the Indigenous peoples whose ancestral lands we honor, to those who have just arrived, and to who are planning to or have yet to make the journey—let us celebrate all that unites us today.
Canada welcomes those who come with hope and a readiness to be a part of our collective evolving journey. We are committed to supporting and embracing everyone willing and committed to joining our vibrant community. This land, with its rich diversity and endless opportunities, is where dreams can flourish, and hearts can find their true home.
Let us remember what it means to be #Canadian, not just today, but in our everyday actions—towards those around us, those who seek our friendship near and far, and to those we connect with and work with around the world. This is a land of hope, resilience, and unity, and we commit to being intentional and thoughtful about our future.
While we celebrate, it’s crucial to recognize that Canada has its imperfections. However, it is our collective responsibility to work on the solutions together. Making a strong case for Canada and what it means to be Canadian is not about claiming superiority over others. Rather, it is about acknowledging that Canada can be whatever we want it to be. Canada, its people, its systems, its institutions, its leadership—all allow us and give us the space to shape it into the future we envision.
Personally, I am a proud Indian who holds India close to my heart. India is my birthplace, and it will always be a significant part of who I am. The rich culture, traditions, and values of India are ingrained in me, and they guide me every day. However, Canada is the land I call home now. Over the past 20+ years, Canada has given me so much. It is where my family lives, where my children have grown up, and where I have built a life surrounded by a community that feels like an extended family.
I believe that I owe it to Canada to bring my best to it every day. This means contributing positively, working towards its betterment, and being an active participant in its growth. I am committed 100% to this mission, just as I am committed to doing my part for my homeland, India. These two identities, Indian and Canadian, coexist within me harmoniously, each enriching the other.
In my journey, I have always believed that sharing knowledge and resources is crucial to collective growth. Over the past two months, I’ve been gradually releasing some of my core strategic documents, frameworks, and models that I’ve developed through years of practice. This decision stems from a deep conviction that hoarding knowledge serves no real purpose. By freely sharing these resources, I hope to empower others to use them for the greater good, fostering an environment where everyone has the tools to succeed.
When a close friend asked why I chose to give away my refined work without expectations, my answer was simple: I expect those who use it to help others and to do so without commercial gain. The real satisfaction comes from seeing others succeed, from knowing that the knowledge I’ve shared has contributed to their growth and success. This approach reflects my belief that we all benefit when we lift each other up.
Throughout the rest of 2024, I will continue to release my strategic toolsets and materials under a creative commons license. These include formal proposal and report templates, strategy frameworks and models, coaching and mentoring tools, teaching and training materials, measurement frameworks, and presentation and data modeling templates. By doing so, I hope to eliminate the need for others to reinvent the wheel, allowing them to focus on addressing complex issues and problems with effective tools at their disposal.
Sharing knowledge is about creating equity of opportunity. It is about unleashing our collective potential to build a better future. This aligns with the idea that the responsibility of building the future of Canada rests with all of us together. By sharing our knowledge and working collaboratively, we can create a society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
There are two main ways I believe we can help people understand complex ideas. The first is directive analysis, where we present conclusions as facts, assuming others cannot reach these conclusions independently. The second, which I favor, is collaborative exploration. This approach recognizes that while people may not fully understand certain issues, they are capable of building their own understanding. By presenting the problem and providing foundational knowledge and tools, we empower individuals to construct their own understanding through personal analysis.
My mission is to share management theories, leadership models, intellectual frameworks, and decision-making strategies, providing you with the tools to understand and analyze situations on your own. This approach moves beyond merely entertaining or enthralling our audience. Instead, it focuses on coaching and empowering our audience, helping them unleash their own intelligence and build their own decision-making skills. On this Canada Day, I am revisiting this desire and commitment.
Today, let us celebrate Canada not just for what it is, but for what it can be. Let us commit to working together to address our challenges, embrace our diversity, and build a future that is inclusive and just for all. Let us be proud of our heritage, whether we are Indigenous, newcomers, or those whose families have been here for generations. Together, we can create a Canada that is a true reflection of our collective dreams and aspirations.
Thank you for joining me in this reflection. Happy Canada Day to each and every one of you! Let’s make today and every day a step towards a brighter, more inclusive future.