The 20 seconds we share with a stranger passing us on the street is filled with opportunity. We could smile and brighten their day. We could ignore them and give them the cold shoulder. We could trip them, nudge them, yell at them, or even try to steal their iPod.
The interesting thing is that we don’t usually know who that stranger is or, more importantly, who that stranger will become. They may go on to yield incredible influence and be able to shape how our community, our country, our world is led – for better or for worse.
Now imagine if those 20 seconds were the ones that gave them such a positive perception of your community that they went on to create monumental changes for your community.
With the world coming to Vancouver for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games, we have more than just 20 seconds with some strangers. We have packed buses, crowded streets, and long lines that are filled with opportunity.
We can yell, get frustrated, and complain about all these “stupid tourists.” Or we can smile, have patience, and offer up our seat. We’re not just here to “welcome the world.” We are here to engage with the world. It is with a level of engagement, those small interactions and nuances, that we will be able to leave a lasting impression on the hearts of future world leaders.
They are coming.
How are you going to represent Canada when they are here?
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