Last Friday morning I heard the highly respected journalist John Pilger speaking during a radio interview. He spoke about Julian Assange and Wikileaks and I found his words to carry great wisdom.
I believe we have entered a new revolution, the Transparency Revolution, a revolution that will be no less impactful upon human kind than the previous revolutions; agrarian, industrial and information. These previous revolutions have upset the establishment and de-stablised social and institutional structures by challenging the status quo; the Transparency Revolution has the same potential to bring about a change in how we live and how we think.
Wikileak’s contribution to the Transparency Revolution has upset people, people in government, people holding power, people in the establishment. Those same people are now reacting to damp out the disturbance caused by Wikileaks, hoping it will go away (if Wikileaks does go then other forms of disturbance will appear). This is a typical reaction by those ostensibly in control of the system (in control in their own minds); kill off, discredit or denigrate the source of annoyance and thereby maintain the status quo.
But what is Julian Assange and his Wikileaks creation doing that is considered so wrong by some? In my view what Assange and Wikileaks are doing is promoting truth-telling. What would happen if we all started to tell the truth, to ourselves, to those important to us, at work, in life? What would happen if we started to listen to the truths of others to gain new perspectives?
I’m not advocating a thought-less truth-telling applicable under all circumstances. Sometimes withholding the truth, distorting the truth or being dishonest maybe necessary. In particular circumstances where I expect a dire outcome I may do these things to protect myself or others. I make a conscious choice to deceive in the hope of avoiding a difficult or harmful situation. But in the reality of most lives (particularly for many of us who can access the technology to read this online) these circumstances are thankfully rare or they never occur.
So, why not tell your truth? If we are not truth-telling then what are we trying to protect? If I deceive myself what do I want to protect myself from knowing or feeling? If I deceive others with my excuses of “I don’t want to hurt their feelings”, or “They’re too sensitive and will react badly”, what am I really protecting, avoiding or trying to avoid? Perhaps my own discomfort in dealing with truth.
So why are world governments reacting so strongly to Wikileaks version of truth-telling? What are the institutions of power uncomfortable about, avoiding or trying to hide? I’m not wanting to promote a conspiracy theory (there are too many out there already) but I am supporting the work of Wikileaks and others like it. The Transparency Revolution has started; let’s get used to it, celebrate it and support it.
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Monday, October 4, 2010
Good to see the bounce back!
Earlier this week I enjoyed a lunch with a couple of ex-colleagues/friends. We previously worked together in a large global organisation, an organisation that purports to value people and performance, accountability and integrity (all the usual corporate blah blah that frequently turns out to be flimsy or hollow).
It was a great lunch. Not because of the food, which was fairly ordinary, but because of the energy of my friends. We’ve all since left the same corporate environment where we met. The difference in personal energy is definite; livelier, more vital and more positive. The bounce is back. The conversation was marked by comments about being free to take initiatives, float ideas, create direction and take actions, all without nonsensical and unnecessary layers of approval and sign-off that dulled our edges.
It’s left me wondering how much talent and potential is being squandered in corporate environments around the world? And what does it take for an environment to truly support a culture where individuals can thrive and be, and fully contribute as willing partners in a mutually meaningful and collective effort? I believe the answer lies in leadership, the type of leadership that genuinely values people and the vast diversity that people can contribute, if allowed and encouraged. And that type of leadership can’t be written as corporate blah blah. It’s leadership that people feel and are touched by and it’s leadership that gives us a positive energy; our bounce.
Bounce! We can create it for others through our behaviour and we can create it for ourselves through our thoughts. Go bounce!
It was a great lunch. Not because of the food, which was fairly ordinary, but because of the energy of my friends. We’ve all since left the same corporate environment where we met. The difference in personal energy is definite; livelier, more vital and more positive. The bounce is back. The conversation was marked by comments about being free to take initiatives, float ideas, create direction and take actions, all without nonsensical and unnecessary layers of approval and sign-off that dulled our edges.
It’s left me wondering how much talent and potential is being squandered in corporate environments around the world? And what does it take for an environment to truly support a culture where individuals can thrive and be, and fully contribute as willing partners in a mutually meaningful and collective effort? I believe the answer lies in leadership, the type of leadership that genuinely values people and the vast diversity that people can contribute, if allowed and encouraged. And that type of leadership can’t be written as corporate blah blah. It’s leadership that people feel and are touched by and it’s leadership that gives us a positive energy; our bounce.
Bounce! We can create it for others through our behaviour and we can create it for ourselves through our thoughts. Go bounce!
Counter Intuition
Have our education systems and Western forms of philosophy and science raised logic and rationale to such a revered height that we’ve lost touch with our feelings?
I’m privileged to be working with a great organisation at the moment; great people, great ideals and great actions. And to grow greater the path ahead requires stepping up the levels of team working and leading. This is known and there is the eagerness to do this. But eagerness does not equal willingness to fully commit to the process of change. Perhaps there is a sense of discomfort about what potentially lies ahead; a situation where logical deduction and reduction cannot resolve a ‘problem’. While there is a desperate desire to identify cause for the effect and apply a solution, this will not work. We’re talking psycho-dynamics here (that’s dynamics, not babble). And that brings us to emotions, not logic. And that means talking, speaking our truths, listening and growing in awareness, both our own and that of our colleagues.
My experience with many teams suggests to me that the prospect of engaging in this type of activity seems to terrify most people. Whereas the reality is liberating and energising. It’s counter-intuitive to move towards something that scares us, but often the scary monster is only of our own making and we’ve granted it a tenancy in our minds. When we see it for what it is we can evict it and learn and grow. So it’s not such a monster after all. It’s there to teach us if we’re willing to engage in the learning on offer. Or put another way, to enjoy the gold at the end of the rainbow we need to be willing to experience the possibility of the rain.
And how to get there? Connection, conversation and courage developed in an atmosphere of mutual respect and trust. No Gantt charts, Cause-and-Effect diagrams or considered reports. Just talking.
I’m privileged to be working with a great organisation at the moment; great people, great ideals and great actions. And to grow greater the path ahead requires stepping up the levels of team working and leading. This is known and there is the eagerness to do this. But eagerness does not equal willingness to fully commit to the process of change. Perhaps there is a sense of discomfort about what potentially lies ahead; a situation where logical deduction and reduction cannot resolve a ‘problem’. While there is a desperate desire to identify cause for the effect and apply a solution, this will not work. We’re talking psycho-dynamics here (that’s dynamics, not babble). And that brings us to emotions, not logic. And that means talking, speaking our truths, listening and growing in awareness, both our own and that of our colleagues.
My experience with many teams suggests to me that the prospect of engaging in this type of activity seems to terrify most people. Whereas the reality is liberating and energising. It’s counter-intuitive to move towards something that scares us, but often the scary monster is only of our own making and we’ve granted it a tenancy in our minds. When we see it for what it is we can evict it and learn and grow. So it’s not such a monster after all. It’s there to teach us if we’re willing to engage in the learning on offer. Or put another way, to enjoy the gold at the end of the rainbow we need to be willing to experience the possibility of the rain.
And how to get there? Connection, conversation and courage developed in an atmosphere of mutual respect and trust. No Gantt charts, Cause-and-Effect diagrams or considered reports. Just talking.
Monday, August 16, 2010
Marrakesh Medicine Man
Some fond memories of travelling in Morroco in 2008.
From my travel diary, Sunday 15th June, Marrakesh
Rounding one corner, somewhere in the maze of the souk, we were accosted by a trader who felt it an offense that I did not shake his hand. He turns out to be "Dr. Medhi", the world famous (in his own mind) "healer". He has met many people from Australia and helped them all (to lighten the weight of their purses and wallets).
He said he would check us over, and in fairness he did pinpoint (through the soles of my feet and down my arms) a number of points that recur for me; holding concern in my stomach, lower back pain and not drinking enough water (thanks for the last one Sherlock. I could go up to any Westerner in the street here and tell them with about 95% accuracy that they're not drinking enough water and are likely to be dehydrated). Anyway, I have number 1 top liver! And spleen. And number 1 top circulation (which one is it? Liver or circulation?!) And I'm a baby making machine baby! (well I know that already). All in all a good man in good health with a good spirit (I don't know about that last one. I finished my little bottle of Jameson's whiskey last night), though a bit hydrated (it's 38°c outside!). So I get a healing massage good for four months and then it's Pam's turn.
Five fist crunches, feet thing, and arm thing. Ah, so Pam is a deep thinker, even deeper than me (and I was a deep, deep thinker), holding things inside. Other than that she's in fine form, but still gets a healing massage (why?), good for two months.
The good "Doctor" then presents us with his bill. And if he's so good, why is he selling scarves in a backstreet in a souk in Marrakesh? Deepak Chopra isn't. He's living it big in California with celebrity neighbours. Though maybe he has a scarf stall at Santa Monica on a Sunday morning? Doctor Medhi still has some way to go to reach Deepak's level though, but at least he's trying. His 1000 dirham consultation fee is a start and it's a humorous one at that (it is said that laughter is the best medicine). Based on Doctor Medhi's humour I'll never be sick again! After much haggling he kindly reduces it to 600 dirham (I'm still laughing. Inside, Ironically). We offer a far too generous 300 dirham and stick to it, the genius doctor (genius as a charlatan) only agreeing when Pam turns her number 1 excellent good health on to him in a sharp and assertive final "300".
We leave feeling we've been taken in; a visit to a real doctor in Ireland cost us €50 and he really did take the piss, but only to confirm Pam's pregnancy. Still, it was a great experience of Marrakesh.
(I think I need to stop writing now to go to get a glass of water).
Questions;
Has anyone else run into the world famous Dr. Medhi?
Does Deepak Chopra have a scarf stall in Santa Monica?
From my travel diary, Sunday 15th June, Marrakesh
Rounding one corner, somewhere in the maze of the souk, we were accosted by a trader who felt it an offense that I did not shake his hand. He turns out to be "Dr. Medhi", the world famous (in his own mind) "healer". He has met many people from Australia and helped them all (to lighten the weight of their purses and wallets).
He said he would check us over, and in fairness he did pinpoint (through the soles of my feet and down my arms) a number of points that recur for me; holding concern in my stomach, lower back pain and not drinking enough water (thanks for the last one Sherlock. I could go up to any Westerner in the street here and tell them with about 95% accuracy that they're not drinking enough water and are likely to be dehydrated). Anyway, I have number 1 top liver! And spleen. And number 1 top circulation (which one is it? Liver or circulation?!) And I'm a baby making machine baby! (well I know that already). All in all a good man in good health with a good spirit (I don't know about that last one. I finished my little bottle of Jameson's whiskey last night), though a bit hydrated (it's 38°c outside!). So I get a healing massage good for four months and then it's Pam's turn.
Five fist crunches, feet thing, and arm thing. Ah, so Pam is a deep thinker, even deeper than me (and I was a deep, deep thinker), holding things inside. Other than that she's in fine form, but still gets a healing massage (why?), good for two months.
The good "Doctor" then presents us with his bill. And if he's so good, why is he selling scarves in a backstreet in a souk in Marrakesh? Deepak Chopra isn't. He's living it big in California with celebrity neighbours. Though maybe he has a scarf stall at Santa Monica on a Sunday morning? Doctor Medhi still has some way to go to reach Deepak's level though, but at least he's trying. His 1000 dirham consultation fee is a start and it's a humorous one at that (it is said that laughter is the best medicine). Based on Doctor Medhi's humour I'll never be sick again! After much haggling he kindly reduces it to 600 dirham (I'm still laughing. Inside, Ironically). We offer a far too generous 300 dirham and stick to it, the genius doctor (genius as a charlatan) only agreeing when Pam turns her number 1 excellent good health on to him in a sharp and assertive final "300".
We leave feeling we've been taken in; a visit to a real doctor in Ireland cost us €50 and he really did take the piss, but only to confirm Pam's pregnancy. Still, it was a great experience of Marrakesh.
(I think I need to stop writing now to go to get a glass of water).
Questions;
Has anyone else run into the world famous Dr. Medhi?
Does Deepak Chopra have a scarf stall in Santa Monica?
Monday, July 19, 2010
Your call may be recorded for training or quality improvement purposes
In my last blog entry I wrote about my disappointment in the limited ambition and nobility of the stated purpose of many corporate enterprises. A simple and everyday example of how a pedestrian sense of purpose may be shaping corporate behaviour then came to my attention. This had me reflecting on my own experience, and no doubt an experience that many of us share; the automated customer service menu on the end of the phone. Where did the real people go?
Let’s say that Purpose + Motive + Goals = Behaviour. Perhaps the goal and motive of organisational efficiency has (mis-)shaped the managerial mindset, drawing attention to the mundane rather than the noble? What kind of corporate purpose has produced the decision behaviour that introduces automated systems between people, an application of technology that creates distance, distrust and frustration? Perhaps the original purpose was to better serve and understand the needs of the customer, collecting information in the process. But the purpose was codified, no doubt ratified and the result is now vilified. Are calls to customer service numbers really recorded for training or quality improvement purposes? How many times does a veil of deceit mask a truth? Not intentional deceit, but deceit born out of automatic and repeated action caused by a shallow sense of purpose, a lack of thinking and reflection; a loss of context and perspective. And the organisation acts for it’s own convenience and protection, not for the customer.
The result is mediocrity. Which is a great shame as I’m convinced we don’t work with the aim of being mediocre. We soar when we can be connected, creative, collaborative and part of a collective purpose that appeals to our individual sense of greater purpose. Some organisations achieve this… for a while. Those with the courage to question, listen and stay open to a changing context can achieve it for much longer.
I agree with Euan Semple's recent blog entry; conversation counts, both on the inside and the outside of the corporate walls.
Let’s say that Purpose + Motive + Goals = Behaviour. Perhaps the goal and motive of organisational efficiency has (mis-)shaped the managerial mindset, drawing attention to the mundane rather than the noble? What kind of corporate purpose has produced the decision behaviour that introduces automated systems between people, an application of technology that creates distance, distrust and frustration? Perhaps the original purpose was to better serve and understand the needs of the customer, collecting information in the process. But the purpose was codified, no doubt ratified and the result is now vilified. Are calls to customer service numbers really recorded for training or quality improvement purposes? How many times does a veil of deceit mask a truth? Not intentional deceit, but deceit born out of automatic and repeated action caused by a shallow sense of purpose, a lack of thinking and reflection; a loss of context and perspective. And the organisation acts for it’s own convenience and protection, not for the customer.
The result is mediocrity. Which is a great shame as I’m convinced we don’t work with the aim of being mediocre. We soar when we can be connected, creative, collaborative and part of a collective purpose that appeals to our individual sense of greater purpose. Some organisations achieve this… for a while. Those with the courage to question, listen and stay open to a changing context can achieve it for much longer.
I agree with Euan Semple's recent blog entry; conversation counts, both on the inside and the outside of the corporate walls.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
The change can't come soon enough
I've been browsing blogs and came across Washington's Blog. It's showing a collection of photos and video from the Gulf of Mexico oil disaster. I found it shocking, saddening and it moved me to feel thanks towards Jonathan Elinoff, the collator of the images.
But it's done more than shock and sadden me. It's helped me to put into words something I've been feeling for a while now. It's the dissatisfaction I feel with the way many large corporate enterprises define their purpose. Don't get me wrong; I'm not against corporate enterprises. I see them as a vital aspect of life and part of the bedrock of most economies. I am against the limited view many corporate executives have created and subscribe to; to “maximise shareholder” value. Now, I have a pension scheme and would like it to give me a reasonable return later in my life, so that means shareholder value is important to me too. But it’s not everything. How about the corporate enterprise that exists to service humanity and the living plant first, and then return shareholder value?
It’s time for a change of corporate thinking and the sooner it starts to happen, the better for all of us. A quote a by Bertrand Russell, the British philosopher, historian and mathematician comes to mind. Exchange ‘education’ for ‘enterprise’…
“It is because modern education is so seldom inspired by a great hope that it so seldom achieves great results. The wish to preserve the past rather than the hope of creating the future dominates the minds of those who control the teaching of the young.”
Washington’s Blog - http://bit.ly/aZNtEE
But it's done more than shock and sadden me. It's helped me to put into words something I've been feeling for a while now. It's the dissatisfaction I feel with the way many large corporate enterprises define their purpose. Don't get me wrong; I'm not against corporate enterprises. I see them as a vital aspect of life and part of the bedrock of most economies. I am against the limited view many corporate executives have created and subscribe to; to “maximise shareholder” value. Now, I have a pension scheme and would like it to give me a reasonable return later in my life, so that means shareholder value is important to me too. But it’s not everything. How about the corporate enterprise that exists to service humanity and the living plant first, and then return shareholder value?
It’s time for a change of corporate thinking and the sooner it starts to happen, the better for all of us. A quote a by Bertrand Russell, the British philosopher, historian and mathematician comes to mind. Exchange ‘education’ for ‘enterprise’…
“It is because modern education is so seldom inspired by a great hope that it so seldom achieves great results. The wish to preserve the past rather than the hope of creating the future dominates the minds of those who control the teaching of the young.”
Washington’s Blog - http://bit.ly/aZNtEE
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Finding the right words
I tried blogging a few years ago. Just a couple of postings and now I can't even remember what they were about. At that time I was experimenting, but with nothing particular in mind.
Do I have anything particular in mind now? Well, yes, a few things. I feel I now have a greater sense of personal purpose and a more irreverant way of considering some aspects of life. And I've been stimulated by the thoughts, guidance and words of others. Most recently this was from a day spent with a group of bright, open and sharing people as we sat round a table at Alchemy Road, which as I write it makes it sound like it could be from one of the Harry Potter books. And there was a bit of magic in the air. Guided by Euan Semple (www.euansemple.com) we explored the worlds of social media; blogging, Twitter, forums, wikis and so on. There's my stimulus. And that's what prompted me to find the right words, those being 'At the living edge'.
The notion of being at the living edge has been running around my head for the past couple of years. Until around 12 months ago I was a corporate person in a BIG corporation. When I joined the big corporation a sense of possibility ran through the place and this excited me and made the rest of the nonsense that comes with corporate life bearable to me. But shift happens. A change in CEO brought greater process control and apparent order, all of which was stifling to me. I found myself 'at the dead centre', which could be interpreted in two ways I guess. My interpretation focused on the 'dead' bit and I found myself longing for the living edge. So here I am now; at my living edge, a place of newness, possibility, options and excitement. I know that it's not a place for everybody, but I also know that right now it's the place for me.
Thanks to all of those who have helped me in my recent journey to the living edge - and that thanks also goes to those in the dead centre, without whom I may not have moved.
Do I have anything particular in mind now? Well, yes, a few things. I feel I now have a greater sense of personal purpose and a more irreverant way of considering some aspects of life. And I've been stimulated by the thoughts, guidance and words of others. Most recently this was from a day spent with a group of bright, open and sharing people as we sat round a table at Alchemy Road, which as I write it makes it sound like it could be from one of the Harry Potter books. And there was a bit of magic in the air. Guided by Euan Semple (www.euansemple.com) we explored the worlds of social media; blogging, Twitter, forums, wikis and so on. There's my stimulus. And that's what prompted me to find the right words, those being 'At the living edge'.
The notion of being at the living edge has been running around my head for the past couple of years. Until around 12 months ago I was a corporate person in a BIG corporation. When I joined the big corporation a sense of possibility ran through the place and this excited me and made the rest of the nonsense that comes with corporate life bearable to me. But shift happens. A change in CEO brought greater process control and apparent order, all of which was stifling to me. I found myself 'at the dead centre', which could be interpreted in two ways I guess. My interpretation focused on the 'dead' bit and I found myself longing for the living edge. So here I am now; at my living edge, a place of newness, possibility, options and excitement. I know that it's not a place for everybody, but I also know that right now it's the place for me.
Thanks to all of those who have helped me in my recent journey to the living edge - and that thanks also goes to those in the dead centre, without whom I may not have moved.
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