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“If you should ever find yourself sitting next to me on an airplane, have your purpose-related answers ready. Also, I apologize in advance.”

Part Three: Chapter 15Weconomy Impact Engineering, Step One: Find Your Cause

By Craig Kielburger

If I could change one thing about the world, it would be _____________________

You know those awkward moments before takeoff when you suss out the person sitting next to you on the plane? You know that annoying guy who won't stop talking about his work? A friendly guy with a big grin who prevents you from pulling your sleep mask over your eyes on the overnight to Europe, the one who interrupts you when you're reading US Weekly or The Economist?

That's me.

Sometimes my frequent flier status gets me upgraded to business class, where I can determine if my seatmate will be subjected to my charity charm offensive by asking three questions: Are you traveling for business or pleasure? What do you do? Have you ever thought of starting a purpose project? Business class is full of business leaders, so many of WE's corporate partnerships are hatched at high altitudes.

A few years ago, I sat down beside a guy traveling from Toronto to New York. As he talked into his cell phone, I picked up snippets of his conversation about business dealings in Colombia. He was worried about a new enterprise, shipments getting through customs. I was sure he was ...

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