The last two decades have seen much change - with the launch of the internet, the fall of the Berlin wall, democracy in South Africa, the rise of the BRIC economies, climate change and the world economic crisis. Trust is at an all time low and people are turning to each other, rather than to traditional corporate or public institutions, for guidance.
We seem to have moved on from an age of innocence when things looked so much simpler not that long ago. But being a bystander to world events is no longer an option. The rules of engagement have changed. We are becoming more connected - to each other, to the footprint we leave on this world, and to the values we live by and work to. Listening is more important than just talking. Reputations are made, or broken, by adherence, or not, to our cultural values and to brand promises made. Intangibles matter. Evidence and insight are sought to help guide and keep us on track. We are coming into an age of greater connectivity and learning and yes, hopefully, an age of enlightenment.