Good morning, Leaders! It’s Friday!

In the foreword by Peter M. Senge to Arie De Geus’ book, “The Living Company”, he gets to the heart of the matter, starting on the first page…

•”Like individuals who are unhealthy and can expect an early demise, most large, apparently successful corporations are profoundly unhealthy. The members of these organizations do not experience that their company is suffering from low life expectancy. They experience poor corporate health as work stress, endless struggles for power and control, and the cynicism and resignation that result from a work environment that stifles rather than releases human imagination, energy, and commitment. The day-to-day climate of most organizations is probably more toxic than we care to admit, whether or not these companies are in the midst of obvious decline.”

•”What happens to the life energy of a living being when it is unable to pursue its purpose?”

•”Are struggles over control not the root of most corporate politics and game playing?”

•”…working together can indeed be a deep source of life meaning. Anything less is just a job.”

As mature leaders in companies we are all compelled to make things better at our workplace for our business partners. Continuous learning and evolution leads to sustainability, longevity, and predictability, but the road to get there is treacherous, riddled with timid souls afraid to change because of their pervasive desire to maintain status quo (regardless of financial performance).

I don’t work like my dad did. My adult, educated kids don’t work like I do. My grandkid(s) certainly won’t work like my kids do. In fact, who’s to say that the changes in the workplace have clear demarcation points based on when you, the worker, start and leave the company you are in? It’s constantly evolving!

I remember as one of my previous organizations was experiencing dramatic change, I spoke with someone exiting…an interview of sorts. His misalignment with the direction of the organization was so palpable that he said he’d drive up to work and sit in his pickup right up until he had to walk in in order to be there on time…his stomach twisted in knots. For him, the “day to day climate was toxic” and it was manifesting in his stomach. He made the right call (to exit). The company has continued to thrive.

The company/work environment/place of employment is changing…because it has to. The relationship between employer and employee is changing faster yet…but we don’t seem to know how to. The systems aren’t keeping up with the world. We are well past the industrial age but our educational systems, our vocational systems and basic support systems still reflect an era long gone.

Let’s start living.

Let’s start paying attention to things that affect us most, like:
People
Relationships
Opportunities
Development
Innovation

And put less priority on:
Control
Politics
Profitability
Time constraints
Physical locations

Because when you get the first list right, the second list sorts itself out.

Have a blessed weekend!