What will the workforce look like in the next decade? How can employers attract the best talent and foster the most productive environments for their employees? Leadership speaker Bill Strickland addressed questions like these at the World Employment Conference in Toronto earlier this month (fellow Lavin speakers Jeremy Gutsche and David Foot also gave speeches at the event). In a speech titled "The Art of Leadership: Making The Impossible Possible", the community leader discussed key trends in the staffing industry, and spelled out what the future holds for the employment market. He drew on the mantra that he embraces as the CEO of the Manchester Bidwell Corporation: Give people the tools they need, treat them with respect, and they will perform miraculous deeds. The event drew leaders from over 30 countries, many of which shared praise and key takeaways from Strickland's speech on Twitter.

Here's what some of the staffing leaders were saying about Strickland's keynote address:

"Wow what a story. National Center for Arts & Technology. Bill Strickland changing the world."
—Steve Jones (@ Jones4staffing), President of Business Leadership Corp

"Use the arts to unlock imagination and you'll also unlock a passion to learn."
 —Melissa Alvares, (@ melisonit), a marketer, quoting Strickland

"The arts is a great way to [engage] kids in learning."
—Kevin Dee (@ KevinDee300), CEO of Eagle Professional Resources Inc., quoting Strickland

"A beautiful environment makes beautiful people."
—Rituparna Chakrabort (@ ritu205), co-founder & senior VP of India's staffing agency Teamlease, quoting Strickland