EDITORIAL - How to Succeed as Urban Animal Embraces Action

Around us every day there are those who succeed and those who don't. The Urban Animal program features industry leaders collaborating to recast dilemma's into opportunities. Some falter while others get traction and move forward.

Each year at the Summit for Urban Animal Strategies, leaders are re-motivated, relationships are expanded and passion is recharged. But the grind of everyday activities threatens to supplant the best intentions of leaders between Urban Animal events.

So the question arises: In a volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous (VUCA) world how can Urban Animal assist leaders to develop the 'grit' they need to succeed. 

The Urban Animal mission 'to enrich the lives of people and pets' is worthwhile but only if it succeeds.

The theme of Summit 2015 is DARE TO DISAGREE. As delegates explore opportunities that can succeed, perhaps understanding failure in a new way and fostering the development of 'GRIT' should be foremost in their minds. 

A TED Talk by psychologist, Angela Lee Duckworth provides the evidence she discovered in her research of those who succeed and those who don't.

Watch All about GRIT

Author Larry R. Evans, is executive producer of the Summit for Urban Animal Strategies and founder of the Urban Animal program. Evans has spent the past decade working to create a more favorable environment for people and animals in urban municipalities. His vision to invoke a collaborative conversation among thought leaders that could invent the future of the Urban Animal industry was realized in 2006 with the first annual International Summit for Urban Animal Strategies. Today, Evans directs attention to uncovering dilemmas that prevent positive experiences for people and animals. Evans observes and writes from his farm near Crossfield, Alberta.