One advantage of being an editor is that I meet people from different walks of life and, by extension, have licence to freely ask questions (sanctioned only by professional etiquette). Over the past year, it’s been a privilege to interact with some of the finest minds in the industry.
Being mandated to produce salient coverage for the industry comes with responsibility: complying with the industry’s best practices, respecting boundaries and being mindful of never crossing the line when it comes to upholding journalism’s unspoken ethical code.
My year at the helm of Benefits Canada—while covering a maternity leave for Alyssa Hodder—has flown by, and I am truly grateful to my colleagues who supported my decisions along the way. Change can be bittersweet, but I am excited about moving forward to my next challenge: editing resource and plant engineering publications.
I love my work as an editor and so it gives me great pleasure to watch and learn from those who know their business—and themselves—so they can make calculated decisions to move ahead. Benefits Canada has a storied history of acknowledging those who make their mark on the industry. For more than a decade, the Workplace Health & Benefits Awards (formerly known as Who’s Who in Workplace Health) have honoured organizations and individuals who demonstrate commitment to workplace health and safety, while the Lifetime Achievement Award in the pension and investment arena highlights the successes and achievements of exceptional Canadians—Malcolm Hamilton (2012) and John Crocker (2011) are among the noteworthy recipients.
In addition, in every issue, we pay homage to exemplary individuals whose skill and talent shape the industry and affect change. The subject of this month’s Inspiration is a quintessential example. Robin Pond is an investment consultant who moonlights as a playwright. His latest skit is creatively called The Retirement Plan. At one point during our interview the conversation turned philosophical as Pond referenced Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs to explain finding bliss in the things we do.
But you don’t need to be “deep” to appreciate what others’ gifts can do for your business. If you’re a business leader and don’t know your team’s hidden talents, it’s time to find out what makes them stand tall so you can harness their passion for even greater success. And as you reflect on their accomplishments, consider what comes next.
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