November - December 2001 

World Bytes

The Mountains are Greater Than All of Us

by Terrance Malkinson

A Thought to Chew On

Many of us have been re-examining our personal and work lives in the wake of the events of 11 September. We are considering our personal values, the nature of humankind, and even seeking spiritual enlightenment. Many of us yearn to be part of something bigger than ourselves. Perhaps now more than ever, the mountains and natural areas around us are playing a role in our re-examinations, offering inspiration and hope for the future.

The Mountains and Your Career

The Banff Centre is Canada's leading professional development center for arts, leadership development, and mountain culture (www.banffcentre.ab.ca). Its Center for Mountain Culture hosts the internationally recognized annual Banff Mountain Festival, with the mission to "promote understanding and appreciation of the world's mountain places by creating opportunities for people to share — and find inspiration in — mountain experiences, ideas and visions."

How can the Banff Mountain Festival — and mountains in general — be important to your career? They are important because all new learning becomes a part of you. The more diverse and global your knowledge and experiences are, the more robust, effective and successful you will be during your career.

At the most recent Banff Mountain Film Festival (2 - 5 November 2001), many people shared stories of extreme adventure, heroics, and camaraderie. For example, a seminar titled "War and Peace in the Mountains" brought together a panel that included, among others, Indian author Harish Kapadia, whose son was recently killed in a mountain skirmish; and Larry Hamilton, whose work with the World Conversation Union teaches local people to manufacture prostheses for land mine victims. Another panel discussed ethics in filmmaking, including whether controversial films help create useful discussion about issues or cause damage. Participants viewed the National Geographic film Into the Forbidden Zone, a powerful piece of journalism about the war-torn mountains in Afghanistan that featured footage with the recently assassinated Afghan guerilla leader Ahmad Shah Masoud.

These and other stories of human achievement, gained by stretching limits despite enormously difficult circumstances, provided inspiration about how the spirit responds when we focus on the good. These kinds of stories bring balance and perspective; those involved lead incredibly challenging, exciting and worthwhile lives and often leave a legacy of good.

As you pursue your career, try to take the time to seek out diverse, enriching experiences. Consider alternative careers; they may not make you rich financially, but doing something to make the world a better place may add a richness to your life that can't be measured in dollars.

Expose yourself to different perspectives. Ask yourself "what can I do?" History has shown again and again that one person can make a difference. But also take opportunities to work with others and be part of a group. And always, think globally.

Perhaps now more than ever, it is up to each of us to act as "beacons of hope." We must use our experience, skills, creativity and energy to make a difference. The mountains, indeed, are greater than all of us.

Other Bytes and Tydbytes

• "Globalization and Its Critics" is the title of a 30-page special feature in The Economist (Vol. 360 #8243; 29 September 2001). This article is valuable for gaining an understanding of the complexity and cases for and against globalization, and its implications for the workplace and, by extension, your career.

• Engineering Your Future is the title of a new book from the American Society of Civil Engineers by Stuart G. Walesh. ISBN 0-7844-0489-5, ASCE Press, 2000. The authors provide strategies, tips, and techniques for the development of non-technical or "soft" competencies that are necessary for career success.

• "Forever Young" is the title of an article in Entrepreneur, 29(11): 64-71, 2001. Fourteen personal success stories show that with drive and ambition it is possible to do well, even in a poor economy.

• "You Go First" is the title of an article by Eric Berkman in CIO, 15(2): 101-107, 2001. <www.cio.com> This article offers career advice and lessons learned about being the first in newly created positions.

• Many of us are working outside the office locally, nationally and internationally. "Out-of-Towners" is the title of an article by Amanda C. Kooser in Entrepreneur, 29(11): 37-44, 2001. It provides strategies and tips for selecting and using the technology that accompanies you effectively.

• Some organizations are facing a shortfall in workers to cover impending retirements. "Engagement or Disengagement? Older Workers and the Looming Labor Shortage" by Glenn McEvoy and Mary Jo Blahna in Business Horizons 44(5): 46-52, 2001 analyzes the impact of this issue. Strategies for being proactive and developing processes to retain, re-engage, and retool older workers are discussed.

• Business Week Online <www.businessweek.com> 30 October 2001 includes two interesting articles. "How Long a Hunt" provides practical insight into making every day count when searching for a position. "Tips for Team Building" offers ideas on the importance of putting together groups of leaders who share goals and responsibilities to reach objectives.

• The Investment Environment in the Russian Environment, published by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (2001), provides up-to-date information of value to anyone interested in pursuing business opportunities in Russia.

• The President and His Inner Circle, by Thomas Preston (ISBN 0-231-11621-7 Columbia University Press, New York, 2001) discusses how even though presidents of the United States are constrained to varying degrees by the institutions around them, their personal characteristics play a critical role in shaping their policies and their presidencies. This is valuable reading of lessons learned for those interested in pursuing leadership positions within organizations.

• "Snip, Snip, Oops!" is the intriguing title of an article in The Economist., Vol. 361 #8243: 59-60, October 13, 2001, that discusses whether downsizing and cutting jobs is in the best interest of the corporation. The authors describe that no matter how well managed, layoffs can leave a company traumatized and unfocused. This has a serious impact on productivity.

• The third quarterly issue of IEEE Engineering Management Review 29(3): 2001 includes a number of interesting articles. "Moving Upward in a Downturn" by Darrell Rigby provides strategies for being successful during periods of economic downturn. "Holding Your Top Talent" offers insight from a management viewpoint about retaining top talent, which is critical to corporate success. "Perspectives on Roadmaps: How Organizations Talk About the Future" provides tips that you may be able to apply to your own career to ensure future success.

Terrance Malkinson is a proposal manager/documentation specialist with GE Capital IT Solutions Inc.