An Accomplished Leader in Information Technology

I acknowledge that this prompt recommends that we don't reveal names, but the individual I have selected might potentially be a valuable resource for our class. This leader's name is Don Tapscott. He is a highly accomplished leader in the field of information technology and the social media landscape, an author, and an exemplary role model for demonstrating how people can embrace change. He is the son of a homemaker and a high school French teacher.

I first met Don when I was his son's youth hockey coach in Toronto. I knew virtually nothing about what he did professionally, even though I saw him several times a week throughout some very long and cold winters. He began to deliver talks about the rise and economic implications of the internet during the 1990s, and he came to speak at my high school. He has consulted with many leaders in the educational arena in order to better prepare graduates for "The Digital Economy". Don is a calm, poised and unpretentious speaker who has a knack for bringing clarity to topics that do not lend themselves to crystal clarity- such as the future socio-economic implications of the internet. He is a great illustrator of abstract ideas and he is organized, prepared and equipped to entice his listeners to embrace technological change.

He also relies heavily on the voices of young people (he frequently quotes his children in his writings) to educate himself of the subjects he addresses in his books, or discusses through public forums. Don is enterprising and entrepreneurial, but possesses the requisite humility that doesn't turn off others when he is sharing his ideas surrounding all things digital. He always provides examples that qualify his points in much the same way that the Heath brothers' provide a wealth of narratives to illustrate ways to innovate and enact change.

Don cannot really perform his job without a collaborative effort online and face-to-face with colleagues, economists, business and industry leaders, and teachers. He is a lecturer at the University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management, he travels constantly, but seems to be able to balance his commitments effectively, and as an agent for change, it is a marvel as to just how remarkably he can prepare and organize his day-to-day public life. His circle of influence is astounding, simply by doing his work thoroughly and with care. His quality work ethic prevails and is contagious- all of which make him an admirable leader, and one whose work and resources could benefit others in this class.

Here is one of his recent TED talks:

http://www.ted.com/talks/don_tapscott_four_principles_for_the_open_world_1.html

... and an interesting article on the future plight of universities from this past year's World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/economy/the-week-university-as-we-know-it-ended/article7896507/