Fix the Hole

It's been a while since my last post.  And that's the way it is for now.  Perhaps also better because the world is inundated with the latest greatest whatever.  I have in fact gone into my database of drafts and stumbled upon this post that I drafted 2 years ago.

I don't know about you but as usual this year started with a bang and I have been running at quite a pace for the last 2 and a half months.  It's been students, presentations, organising, networking and managing on a consistent basis with more and more demands from a ever-hungry world out there.

It really reminds me of a scene in Apocalypto, a film by Mel Gibson.  If you have not seen it perhaps it might be a good time to watch and reflect on our place in this world.  There is a scene where an old man tells a story around a camp fire and it goes like this:

And a Man sat alone, drenched deep in sadness. And all the animals drew near to him and said, "We do not like to see you so sad. Ask us for whatever you wish and you shall have it." The Man said, "I want to have good sight." The vulture replied, "You shall have mine." The Man said, "I want to be strong." The jaguar said, "You shall be strong like me." Then the Man said, "I long to know the secrets of the earth." The serpent replied, "I will show them to you."

And so it went with all the animals. And when the Man had all the gifts that they could give, he left. Then the owl said to the other animals, "Now the Man knows much, he'll be able to do many things. Suddenly I am afraid." The deer said, "The Man has all that he needs. Now his sadness will stop." But the owl replied, "No. I saw a hole in the Man, deep like a hunger he will never fill. It is what makes him sad and what makes him want. He will go on taking and taking, until one day the World will say, 'I am no more and I have nothing left to give.'"

I look around me at entrepreneurs, students and leaders and it is clear that the majority is still trying to fill some kind of hole deep inside them with empty, vain, ephemeral things.  I know that I also have to check myself - I am no different.  I do however invite you on a path with me where we really ask ourselves if we are striving after emptiness to fill emptiness?

Shall we go from survive to alive?!

The 'Why' of Work (part 2)

A few weeks ago I wrote the first part of my view on the 'why' of work.  And then I got busy at work...  I also paused for a moment and took a break by the ocean.  This has given me time to reflect on the 'why' of work with greater depth.

Through the lens of Connectedness work is viewed from the contribution and purpose perspective as indicated in my earlier post.  As I get excited about the changing world of work and the incorporation of greater purpose in many businesses globally I have to remind myself that part of Connectedness is a world view of abundance and not scarcity, patience rather than haste:

“By the time it came to the edge of the Forest, the stream had grown up, so that it was almost a river, and, being grown-up, it did not run and jump and sparkle along as it used to do when it was younger, but moved more slowly. For it knew now where it was going, and it said to itself, “There is no hurry. We shall get there some day.” But all the little streams higher up in the Forest went this way and that, quickly, eagerly, having so much to find out before it was too late.” ― A.A. Milne, The House at Pooh Corner

I look around me at the world rushing forward being pursued by a great beast of fear.  We are afraid we won't have enough time, money, love or accomplishment - we are afraid we won't be enough.

As I sat looking out over the ocean a few weeks ago I realised that this world is in motion and it is a force far greater than I can ever dream of controlling.  I find that what I do not know I want to control, I also see it many other people and specifically 'leaders' and managers.  As the quote above illustrates, we will get where we have to go; I will get where I have to go.  I cannot live in the future at the expense of the present.  Letting go is beautiful!

The 'why' of work is about us, about here, about now and doing whatever is here and now.  It is about trust.  It is trust based on a world view that in the end we will be okay.  If it is not okay it is not the end.

So today I call to all that feel that the burden of ambition is driving a wedge between you and those you care for, between you and the parts of yourself that you do not know yet and in fact creating a self-defeating drive yearning for an unidentified emptiness.  Stop running.  Breathe slowly and start living, here and now.

Go from survive to alive.  

Connectedness (part 2)

Connectedness - a philosophy, approach, technique and movement (for lack of better description at present).  Not individualistic only, but connected between us.  By seeking us I find me.  The level of truth found in the mess of relationships and the beauty of failing quickly and learning deeply.

Connectedness is the way that the 21st century is shaping.  In the 20th century the work moved from the farm to the factory; the factory to the office and in the 21st century the work is moving online (or into the cloud).  It used to be the unseen hand of the market and deregulation in order to set the human spirit free - there were a few mistakes...

It is however no reason to completely remove the old system (yes, the C word - capitalism).  It is also no real good reason to kill all creativity with regulation.  So what kind of  'ism' remains for us to utilise in order to shape the way we live, interact, produce and create in the present age?  Is there a third alternative?

In order to answer this you must ask yourself what do you believe in?  For years I have been exploring different aspects of living a life, and I mean LIVING!  Not adrenaline, today is the last day on earth anything goes craziness - no!  Real living means you are true to yourself and those around you, you seek your North Star and you align your heart and mind to it.  From this center you act boldly, and with love in all that you do, you seek out every opportunity to grow and honour the purpose of your life.  In so doing you also help others on their journey - LIFE!

Connectedness is an approach to life that unites, in paradox, agency and complexity.  In order to fully utilise my ability to reflect and grow it can only truly happen in interdependence with others with the same agential capability.  The presence of others and the constant changing context within growth means that together we are more than merely the sum of our relationships - something emerges from amongst us which amplifies individual agency and potential.

Most importantly it is openness, fearlessness and divergent whilst being convergent simultaneously.

This is also the way that I am connecting with people and want to do more of.    I am not trying to invent something that doesn't exist or even trying to come up with cool names (although that is fun too).  Look outside your door, and you will see walls coming down.  I know in some places walls are going up, I am not ignorant.  The reality is however that you can decide whether you want to be part of the progression towards less wall or more - you're call!

Personally, I want to see the walls come down where it is appropriate for them to come down.  I have a personal interest in business because it is the greatest tool to influence our society in order to become better together.

What will follow in the weeks, months and years in this blog is a call for action and connection - will you join me on this journey from survive to alive?

I'm Back!

After months of glorious introspection, reflection and redirection I am glad to say that I am gradually getting back into the blogging saddle.  More than ever I am aware that writing is important.  I believe it is important because I enjoy it, but it is also important because it has served as a platform where the unheard voices are united.  


It has not only been an online conversation, but primarily I have experienced individuals speaking to me directly which has been inspiring.

This blog is all about living a life that is testimony to being alive and not merely breathing.  Surviving is the same old routine every day.  Surviving is never facing your fears.  Surviving is doing what is safe and expected.  Surviving is never fully committing to relationships. Surviving is taking, being busy and 'me'. Surviving is command-and-control. Surviving is the majority.

Living is facing your fears.  Living is accepting the challenge and laying another down.  Living is doing things different, new and better today even if it means you will fail.  Living is being, giving and 'us'.  Living is connecting and collaborating.  Living is the minority.

This is the blog for the minority.  This is where the real voice of meaning is heard.  Its message is one of bravery, creativity, innovation and change.  This blog is a challenge for better, every day!

The journey always starts with ourselves.  If we think we can change the world without doing the hard work of facing ourselves in the mirror, we have already lost the battle.

So here is the warning:  Don't read or reply to these posts if you are not serious about seeing through the change in society that frees us from ourselves; that frees us from sheepwalking.

Likewise, here is the mandate that comes with this blog:  Read very carefully and REFLECT!  ...Then partake in the discussion and pass it on to others with the same instruction.

Life is not too short; it is exactly long enough for us to do what we have to.  Get going!