The Pillars of Proximity to Power
If we do it right, a truly multicultural society could be the key to unlocking long-term prosperity.
The world is shrinking and it’s irreversible. Over 250 Million humans are on the move in the midst of the largest tide of humanity in history. The era of the homogeneous community is over. The era of the homogeneous government is over. The era of the homogeneous classroom is over. The era of the homogeneous company is over.
If we do it right, a truly multicultural society could be the key to unlocking long-term prosperity.
But we don’t just get to claim that diversity is our strength and that we’re truly multicultural before we’ve looked inward and done the hard work.
On a recent episode of the Matt George Unsettled podcast we talked about what I’m calling the Pillars of Proximity to Power.
Humans need to feel needed, that their voices are heard and that they have the ability to make an impact.
For a community to be truly welcoming we need 4 things:
- Newcomer professionals getting elected to public office: As a communities demographics change, so too do it’s voices. As voices change so do priorities within a community. That’s why it’s not worth listening to those who say that diversity and multiculturalism is easy and is automatically our strength. It’s not, but it can be with hard work. Representation should change alongside the voices and priorities of a community’s base.
- Newcomer professionals reaching management level in our biggest companies: We’re welcoming talent from all over the globe and this presents an incredible opportunity. Not only do we have the chance to diversify expertise in the office but we also have the chance to open our markets to the world. Those who build walls, domesticate and centralize will lose the 21st-century. Promoting newcomer professionals to management opens an entire world of economic possibility.
- Newcomer professionals successfully starting businesses: Can we come to the East Coast and compete or not? We’re welcoming in incredible expertise and people with money & options in to a market that is typically far smaller and less competitive than their home markets. Promoting cost of doing business, time-zone advantages and being humble about our business savvy could lead to the next big newcomer-led companies landing in the Maritimes.
- Officially recognizing and admiring the expertise of newcomer professionals: We know we need to grow. We need people. But people doing what? Veterinarians from overseas coming to the East Coast to work fast food? No. We need to not only officially recognize the expertise of newcomer professionals but admire their training, perspective and willingness to make a dent in our markets.
Is your community truly welcoming?
We’re well on our way!
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