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In the game of Tic-Tac-Toe it has been estimated that if two players with intermediate level experience squared off against one another, the odds of it resulting in a tie (called a Cat's Game) is 51 percent of the time. When two experienced players set up shop for a match, the game will result in a tie 86 percent of the time. And if two Tic-Tac-Toe experts were to get together, a tie would occur 100 percent of the time. I like to think that each of us is an expert in being human. You, me, your neighbour, citizens alike...we are experts in being humane. I give each of us the benefit of the doubt. I hope you do, too. We are the experts to uphold our decency, our morality, our values...our humanity. If we use Tic-Tac-Toe as a metaphor for the current mode of operations in the new Trump administration, it feels as though there is no longer a chance for a tie. Life is no longer a zero sum game. Society has quickly moved to one where the bully has overtaken the board. Trump seems to hold power over our humanity. He is relishing the moment with hidden tones of fascism. Society's expert status seems to have eroded. There is no longer a chance for the tie. We need to fight back. Whatever your nationality and wherever you live, it is time to become an open thinker. The current status quo--of a bully unilaterally in charge of the Tic-Tac-Toe board--must be squashed. Our humanity depends on it. It is time we got creative. The bully may be in charge of the board right now, but that doesn't mean we can't think openly and creatively to outwit his rhetoric. It's time to play off the board. It is time to rally.
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  • Dan Pontefractโ€™s keynote on the importance of workplace culture in employee engagement was excellent. ย Dan used his vast leadership experience to provide our conference attendees with practical strategies to build teams that are engaged and committed. His relatable, real-life examples were thought provoking, memorable and very personal, creating a connection to the audience. I would highly recommend Dan as an entertaining keynote speaker who delivers content that is relevant and actionable.

    Michelle Hillyard, Director SCU
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    Christian Pantel, D2L
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    Barb Kinnard, CEO Response Biomedical Corp
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