How to prosper in How to prosper in CanadaCanada

Ali O. Oncel Ali O. Oncel

GeophysicistGeophysicist

Laroche’s Perspective

The more books we read by Lionel Laroche the more we will learn about how to prosper with our challenging lives in Canada.

Source for the books: http://www.amazon.com/

Who is Lionel Who is Lionel LarocheLaroche?? Question: Question: Why did you become an IMMIGRANT?Why did you become an IMMIGRANT? Answer: Answer: ““ I did my Ph.D. in the U.S. – I studied at I did my Ph.D. in the U.S. – I studied at

the California Institute of Technology. There, I met the California Institute of Technology. There, I met a Canadian lady and we got married in 1990. We a Canadian lady and we got married in 1990. We both looked for jobs in Canada and in France, but both looked for jobs in Canada and in France, but she could not find a job in France, so we ended up she could not find a job in France, so we ended up in Toronto. I came here because we wanted to in Toronto. I came here because we wanted to have good jobs in the same city and her have good jobs in the same city and her profession was not easily transferable (she was a profession was not easily transferable (she was a planetary scientist)planetary scientist).”.”

Source: Personal communication with Lionel Laroche, 2008

Canadian PerspectiveCanadian Perspective

The way you look at yourself may be The way you look at yourself may be different than the way others see you, different than the way others see you, so you must try to understand how so you must try to understand how Canadians see you.Canadians see you.

Language is important to learn so you Language is important to learn so you can have the ability to choose the right can have the ability to choose the right word in the right situation and become a word in the right situation and become a more influential person in Canadian more influential person in Canadian society.society.

Why is Why is Canada Canada

different?different? In-Canada: In-Canada: Students face each Students face each

other because there is importance on other because there is importance on learning form one another; student learning form one another; student to student.  The role of the teacher is to student.  The role of the teacher is to coordinate and promote teaching.to coordinate and promote teaching.

Outside of CanadaOutside of Canada: Students : Students generally face the teacher since the generally face the teacher since the teacher is the source of information.teacher is the source of information.

Invisible Cultural Invisible Cultural DifferencesDifferences

Punctual time: Punctual time: If one is late If one is late five minutesfive minutes for an for an

appointment, that is fine for appointment, that is fine for Canadians. Don’t be Canadians. Don’t be SORRY.SORRY.

  If it is acceptable for you to be If it is acceptable for you to be over 20 minutes late for a meeting over 20 minutes late for a meeting in your culture, you need to know in your culture, you need to know that this that this will not be toleratedwill not be tolerated well well by Canadians.by Canadians.

Source: http://www.cbc.ca/greatest/http://www.amazon.com/Canada-Peoples-History-Vol-1/dp/0771033400

Can we understand Can we understand Canadian?Canadian?

Watch movies by Canadians about Canada Some recommended movies:Some recommended movies: Canada-A People’s HistoryCanada-A People’s History The Greatest Canadian by CBCThe Greatest Canadian by CBC

Canadian Manager?Canadian Manager? Canadian Manager:Canadian Manager: Feeling Feeling

more free on the work you are more free on the work you are responsible for. More flexibility responsible for. More flexibility but higher responsibility.but higher responsibility.

Off-North American Manager:Off-North American Manager: Manager will direct your work. Manager will direct your work.  Risk-free position. Risk-free position.

Ind

ivid

ualis

m

Ind

ivid

ualis

m

(%)

(%)

Source: MCB Solutions- modified after Lionel LarocheSource: MCB Solutions- modified after Lionel Laroche

Individuality versus Individuality versus CollectivityCollectivity

Canadians are one of the most Canadians are one of the most individualist societies in the world. individualist societies in the world. For example;For example;

a)a) Canadian waitress Canadian waitress - Individuality: She - Individuality: She is responsible for the table. She serves is responsible for the table. She serves for the table she was assigned.for the table she was assigned.

b)b) Non-Canadian Waitress Non-Canadian Waitress - Collectivity: - Collectivity: she helps with all the tables at all she helps with all the tables at all timestimes

Soft Skills?Soft Skills?

CommunicationCommunication

MeetingsMeetings

NegotiatingNegotiating

Influence peopleInfluence people

Manage Manage

LeadershipLeadership

See more detail from http://www.softskillsforsuccess.com/

Hie

rarc

hy

(%)

How large is Canadian How large is Canadian Hierarchy ?Hierarchy ?

Source: MCB Solutions- Modified after Lionel LarocheSource: MCB Solutions- Modified after Lionel Laroche

Can I prosper in Canada?Can I prosper in Canada?

If immigrants balance their technical If immigrants balance their technical skills to their soft skills, skills to their soft skills, they can be they can be successful in Canada.successful in Canada.

30% of Canada's richest people are 30% of Canada's richest people are immigrants while the immigrant immigrants while the immigrant population is only about 21%population is only about 21%

Do you have a Cultural Do you have a Cultural Mentor?Mentor?

Helps with your adaptation.Helps with your adaptation.

Increases your success in Increases your success in Canada.Canada.

Feedback

Modified data after the Jasper workshop, Nov 17 -2008

How will you determine how bad the situation is?

• Let’s go for coffee.• Do you have a few minutes? • We need to talk.• Let’s come to my office. • We need to do these things.

Light

You are fired !

Medium

Larger

Small

ConclusionConclusion

Prosperity (P)6 yrs < P < 12 yrs

AcknowledgementAcknowledgement

We appreciate We appreciate the Canadian the Canadian Government Government very much for the learner very much for the learner conference, and conference, and Karen BradleyKaren Bradley for her for her great support for helping organize such great support for helping organize such kind of presentation. My appreciation is kind of presentation. My appreciation is extended to extended to Dr. Lionel LarocheDr. Lionel Laroche who who provided his presentation, and provided his presentation, and Todd Todd Odgers Odgers for his quick review of the for his quick review of the presentation.presentation.