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In the News: Being Awesome with Neil Pasricha, Tackling Algorithmic Bias in AI, and Why a Rivalry Can Make You Better at Your Job

In the News: Being Awesome with Neil Pasricha, Tackling Algorithmic Bias in AI, and Why a Rivalry Can Make You Better at Your Job

A busy November saw our expert speakers covering a range of topics in the media, including building resiliency, battling pseudoscience, and AI. Plus, we saw some of our speakers inducted into sports’ hall of fames. Here’s a round-up of some select media coverage this month.

Andrew Coyne | Nationally Syndicated Political Journalist

After the 2019 election saw the Liberals defeat the Conservatives again, Andrew Coyne wrote an opinion piece for The National Post on why there is no point for the Conservatives to change their leader if they remain unwilling to come up with a coherent message that is relevant to voters.

“Should Andrew Scheer step down as Conservative leader? Probably, but it’s beside the point. Scheer is more a symptom of the Conservatives’ malaise than a cause.”

Bob McDonald | Host, CBC Radio’s Quirks & Quarks

The popular science journalist Bob McDonald released his new book, An Earthling’s Guide to Outer Space. He joined CBC to share his thoughts on space junk and why pseudoscience gets under his skin.

Jon Montgomery | Olympic Champion | Host, The Amazing Race Canada

This month, famed Olympian Jon Montgomery, who won gold in the skeleton race at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, was inducted into the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame.

He said in his speech that athletes are selfish because their jobs involve playing games with friends and “testing our mettle against the world’s best.”

But he said being selfish can affect change in people’s lives.

“Maybe it’s that selfish pursuit of athletic excellence that can be more. When one finds themselves on a stage like this and in a position up here like this, it is confirmation that this journey does touch others and that it can be more and that it is something quite special,” he said.

Jon also spoke with CTV News about his journey from small-town Manitoba to the Olympic podium.

Neil Pasricha | Happiness Expert | Bestselling Author, The Book of Awesome

With the release of his new book, You Are Awesome, Neil Pasricha has been on the press circuit this month sharing tips from his new book on navigating change, overcoming failure, and building resiliency. Here’s a round-up of some of his media clips:

Bruce Sellery | Financial Journalist | Bestselling Author of Moolala

Bruce Sellery shared his guide to building a sustainable holiday budget with Cityline.

Simon Sinek | Renowned Leadership Expert | Author of Start With Why and Leaders Eat Last

In promotion of his new book, The Infinite Game, bestselling author Simon Sinek spoke with Business Insider on why having a “worthy rival” at work can make you better at your job. He illustrated his point by drawing on his own work “rival” who he admits made him incredibly insecure.

“Whenever I heard the name Adam Grant, it made me uncomfortable. If I heard someone sing his praises, a wave of envy washed over me,” Sinek writes.

After meeting his rival though, Sinek’s decided to change this feeling of competitiveness into a desire to improve himself.

We’re often most irked by people who highlight our own weaknesses. If you hate arrogant people, it’s often because you have unresolved issues about self-confidence. If bragging sets you off, chances are excellent you struggle with tooting your own horn.

By recognizing what it was about his own weaknesses that was triggering his envy of Grant, Sinek was able to focus his energy not on fruitless competition but instead on self-improvement. And that eventually drove him to even greater success.

Ziya Tong | Author, The Reality Bubble | Award-Winning Broadcaster

Ziya Tong joined TVO to talk about her bestselling book, The Reality Bubble, and share insight into some of humanity’s biggest blind spots and how being in the dark about them makes it impossible to navigate our future.

Mike Walsh | Futurist and Authority on Digital Trends in Emerging Markets

Futurist Mike Walsh asks if your AI have users’ best interests at heart in an article for the Harvard Business Review. He explores the moral dilemma behind integrating AI into the workplace and the emergence of algorithmic bias based on data gathering.

Banning all data-collection is futile. There is no going back. We already live in a world built on machine learning and AI, which relies on data as its fuel, and which in the future will support everything from precision agriculture to personalized healthcare. The next generation of platforms will even recognize our emotions and read our thoughts.

Rather than relying on regulation, leaders must instead walk an ethical tight rope. Your customers will expect you to use their data to create personalized and anticipatory services for them while demanding that you prevent the inappropriate use and manipulation of their information. As you look for your own moral compass, one principle is apparent: You can’t serve two masters. In the end, you either build a culture based on following the law, or you focus on empowering users. The choice might seem to be an easy one, but it is more complex in practice. Being seen to do good is not the same as actually being good.

Hayley Wickenheiser | Canadian Women’s Hockey Team | Olympic Gold Medalist | Author

In the wake of her induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame, Hayley Wickenheiser spoke to TSN on how she’s honoured to be a role model for young girls everywhere. She shared that when she was growing up, she only had male role models to look up to, and now she’s hoping that the door is fully open for young girls everywhere to be successful.

The New York Times also profiled Hayley, who’s widely regarded as the best female hockey player ever, and how she is finding success working with the Maple Leafs and attending medical school.

Hayley also hosted her annual “Wickfest”, a hockey festival with the purpose of growing the women’s game. More than 2500 girls and young women joined Hayley to celebrate the game. She spoke to CBC about her optimism for the future of women’s pro hockey in Canada.

“I think the NHL has a plan moving forward,” said Hayley. “If women’s pro hockey is going to happen, it’s going to have to be with NHL involvement.