“how you understand and deal with uncertainty is one of the most important things, if not the most important thing, about running a business.”

The sister organization to CIGI is the CIC (Canadian International Council), a second think tank founded by Balsillie in 2007. “CIC focuses strictly on national priorities—what’s good for Canada in the world,” said Neve Peric, media relations director for both CIGI and CIC. The CIC has 13 branches nationwide, including one in Winnipeg established last fall with Nicholas Hirst as branch president.

Also in 2007, the Balsillie School of International Affairs sprang to life as a partnership between Wilfrid Laurier University, the University of Waterloo, and CIGI. Students at the school prepare for careers in the fields of international affairs and global governance by focusing on a range of related disciplines.

John English is CIGI’s executive director. He describes Balsillie’s commitment to build capacity in international affairs “extraordinary.”

“He has given generously of his time and his unique entrepreneurial talents to inspire Canadians and others to face the challenges of more effective international governance. He has founded, chaired and is the principle benefactor of CIGI, the Balsillie School and the CIC. Together, they represent the most ambitious private initiative on international affairs in Canada and one of the most remarkable in the world.”

Balsillie believes that the world today presents students in business schools with challenges that weren’t part of the curriculum when he was at Harvard.

“My thoughts on business schools right now—I call it the ‘Uber MBA’—is that the traditional MBA, with the Socrative and case study method, is a subset of a much bigger set of aspects that a business person needs to attend to, because you get these unforeseen disruptors coming at you in business.

“How you understand and deal with uncertainty is one of the most important things, if not the most important thing, about running a business, and trying to create certainty is an illusion, it’s irrational. So with that in mind an integrated view and capability is incredibly important.”

A stroll through either of the CIGI or CIC websites paints a clear picture of the uncertainty and challenges facing the world today. Does Balsillie think we humans will figure it all out?

“Will we reform outside of extreme chaos? That’s a good question,” he said. “I can’t fret about outcomes, I only focus on input. If you give the very best input that you can, then you will get the very best outcomes that are possible.

“I don’t advocate one side of the issue or the other. We have to build capacity, period. If I can help do that and help people be persuaded that this is of great value, then I’m delighted with that.”