How Worldly Are You?

Being in Vancouver BC is pretty cool. It is a very happening city and is it ever worldly! I do a lot of people watching and it just seems that the average person is much more worldly than the average people I observe in the states - even more so than Seattle.

I define worldly as follows: Has a diversity of experiences and influences from which to draw upon to make decisions and create opportunities.

I think that our worldliness is critical to continued success and growth. I have known many managers who worked and lived in the same town and for the same company, and who did not belong to outside organizations. These managers were sheltered from different perspectives and approaches and this hurt their ability to manage and lead.

We can increase our worldliness in a number of ways:

• Travel
• Build relationships with a variety of people from outside your organization
• Live and more in several places
• Get involved in cultural events
• Read, listen, and watch
• Work with a variety of people within your organization

I would like to live in Vancouver BC for a while if they would have me (I am a former Canuck from Hull). It is a stimulating place (with killer restaurants). I just love the way cultures collide and dance here in a seemingly mutually respectful manner.

Other bloggers help expand my horizons and improve my worldliness, too. Here are a few unique blogs that I would recommend (these are all non-traditional in some way, I have several favorite business bloggers that run more traditional, too, like those on my blogroll).

Evelyn Rodriguez
Ottmar Leibert
Jory Des Jardins
Steve Pavlina
Curt Rosengren

And there are more.... I also like connecting with a variety of audiences. I like business events, writer's conferences (talk about polar opposites!), and chatting about the hot new motorcycles.

And yet, this visit to Vancouver reminds me I have so much farther I can go to be more worldly. And I think the rewards are worth the effort.

How's your worldliness quotient?

Comments

[Adrian Savage]

As an Englishman now living in the USA, who has also visited Canada many times, I agree with you, Lisa. Most of Europe is far more wordly -- in the terms you explain here -- than the USA. And since Canada is very "European" in culture, it has the same feel about it.

Maybe, in Europe, it's just the ease of moving from one country and culture to another. I live in Arizona and the state has just about the same land area as Italy! It takes four hours or more to fly to Seattle from here. When I lived in England, four hours on a plane would get you to Istanbul!

[Arne]

One of the funny things about Vancouver is that it is far more than "Just" Vancouver. The whole "lower Mainland" as we call it consists of, hold on let me count........., 15+ cities all smashed in against one another in this lower mainland. It is the most fantastic place that I've ever lived in my life (and the world - and trust me - I've been around)

I just finished watching the Movie "Crash" the other night and I think that I finally figured out the difference between a "Melting Pot" and a Multi-Cultural society.

One of the great aspects IS that we are a multi-cultural society - people are expected to be different - and many of us find that really enjoyable. Once you stop expecting everyone else to be just like you - your expectations and perspective shifts - dramatically.

"Vancouver" - fantastic place to live and do business.

[Lisa Haneberg]

Arne: I agree that Vancouver is special - I have been traveling here quite a bit for business recently and it becomes more endearing to me each time.

Adrian: Yes, it is sad but true that Americans tend to be less worldly and traveled. And as you say, the US is very large and lots of people travel only within the country. International travel from the states is surely a hassle.

That said, while I am a huge fan of traveling to different countries, I think people can gain from fresh perspectives within the US. Close to my heart, is the rich experience offered by New Mexico - the real New Mexico, not the tourist traps. Learning about Pueblo or Navajo ways, beliefs, cultures, talents, is riveting and humbling.

Travel is not the only way to expand our worldliness, but is may be the most enjoyable and expansive.

[Rob Brooks]

My worldview has changed significantly and continuously for years now. I always try to avoid the "don't know, don't care" attitude, -that leads to an insular life.

One of my big inspirations when it comes to learning about others is Ray Mears.
http://www.raymears.com/ray.cfm?section=aboutray
He's spent pretty much his whole life travelling the world and learning indigenous skills, and his respect for other ways of life is heartwarming.

[Lisa Haneberg]

Rob - thanks for the link, Ray's work sounds very interesting! I know they are generally not Pulitzer Prize winners, but I like to read mysteries set in interesting places as a way to learn about different cultures. For example, Tony Hillerman's books teel you a lot about the Navajos (and other cultures).

[Walktalkers]

We agree about the necesity of managers in being worldly, new ideas, schemes or business opportunities may come from those experiencies around the planet.

We really liked this blog, just as a trial, we've just started one in Spain, a country just waking up to world, we would like to increase our worldliness quotient. We hope you visit us.