What's on my mind? Finding purpose

One day as I watched the world go by outside my window, I found my purpose.

It was a few years back, before I was CEO, as I sat nestled on the couch at home with a morning coffee and my furry Maine Coon cat curled up beside me. I spent two hours watching squirrels do gymnastics on our bird feeder and listening to the leaves of trees as they swayed in the wind. It was the start of spring, and like the purple crocus flowers I noticed in the lawn, it felt like a new beginning was blooming.

Nature has a way of grounding me, and it helped me find clarity that day. It made me realise my purpose in this world is to make connections. Connections that drive hope, happiness, health and harmony in the world. Connections that offer a better environment?for us to live in and that bring out the full potential in people for generations to come.

My purpose, which I spent time thinking about, is founded on my core belief that connection is one of our most basic needs as humans. We are wired to connect and everything is connected - nothing operates in isolation.

It's no wonder I was attracted to the telecommunications industry: the ultimate connector of the world. We enable connections between geographically dispersed families like mine via subsea cables across the Atlantic. We enable connections between pharmaceutical companies in Asia and the UK who work together to find cancer treatments. We enable people working away from home to stay connected with their communities. We also enable the world to open its eyes to other cultures and ways of doing things through the Internet and social media.

It feels extraordinary to be a part of the industry that makes these connections possible. We are changing the world by making the people who live in it more connected.

As the next wave of technology is upon us with artificial intelligence and quantum computing, we have the ability to enhance the quality and quantity of these amazing connections.

The?white paper I recently submitted?to the UK Government promotes AI as a way to connect people to opportunity, like jobs and digital inclusion, as we build towards a growth economy. It talks about how a foundation of future-ready digital infrastructure has a direct connection to economic and societal growth, and how it can be designed to be part of the sustainability solution, rather than part of the problem.

The feeling I had sitting on my couch on that spring day when I found my purpose - the energy, the excitement, the power to believe in what I was put on this Earth for - I am feeling again. From my personal connections in local communities, to broader connections with Colties, customers and partners who are dispersed across the world, my mission to make and celebrate connection is more alive than ever.

With spring upon us in the Northern hemisphere, I encourage you to spend time in nature. Connect with it. Sit down with a 'cuppa' and think about your purpose, what you were put on this Earth to do. Be connected to your passions, your power and the world of the possible.

I encourage you to?read the white paper, and while you do, open your eyes to the possibilities for our future. Together, we can change the world!