CSC Leader Diary
I have been given the great privilege to represent Cisco on the CSCLeader Program, which is an annual global leadership program that assembles 100 leaders from government, business and NGOs across the 53 countries of the Commonwealth. It’s a fantastic opportunity for me and I am very excited by the prospect of connecting to the wider world. The aim of the program is to tackle major challenges that businesses, government and society face today and to help develop cultural intelligence and build global relationships.
The programme is a partnership between the international leadership development organisation Common Purpose and HRH the Duke of Edinburgh’s Commonwealth Study Conferences. Part one is seven days in the UK, 12-19 April 2015 on “What makes a city smart?”
So this week I want to share the insights, my learning and feelings on this extraordinary program.
Its 7am on Sunday morning and my usual routine of getting up having breakfast and listening to the wonderful mind of my 3.5 year old on the what the day has in store is disrupted by nervous excitement of meeting 100 new people from across the globe and listen to their stories on what they believe “Makes a City Smart” I have no idea what to expect but what I do know is that I need to keep my mind open and my heart free, as I get a sense this is going to be like no other leadership program I have been on before
Arriving at Keble College in Oxford, I am struck by the beautiful building, not a bad setting I must say.
And true to my initial thoughts the first few hours really has been like no other program before. I have already met some incredible people from developing countries, social enterprise leaders, government officials and global corporations.
Over the course of the day, we have looked at some topical issues, discussed how we make decisions, share ideas, express our opinions and openly challenge each other, but more importantly how we learn from different perspective.
What strikes me is the diversity of perspectives, experience, background and thoughts lend to really making you think different….so what’s playing on my mind now is by the end of the week how will we create a prototype for “what makes a city smart” when the start point for every individual is so different, that is a challenge in itself.
Yet a common theme prevails, one that is bigger than just the challenge itself, and that is “people”. Every city, every country and every community must start with the people, the needs of those individuals and the experience they have is the most important part of any society. How we do that and build that into a prototype, solution will emerge during the week.
It’s now pretty late and the nerves are getting worse, as tomorrow we head off to St. James Palace and we will be joined by HRH the Princess Royal who is the current President of the Commonwealth Study Conferences. Of course the first question is what to wear and the second, shared by the other 99 delegates, is do you think we can get a selfie with her? If I am successful I will no doubt share on twitter, so don’t forget to follow me @hem123.
Keep an eye on my profile page to catch the next in the CSC Leader Diary series.
